Arthur Treacher’s Cleveland Comeback

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: Ohio’s most expensive home just got a 12.5% price cut. Great news for anyone casually browsing Zillow with $15 million in couch cushions 📉🏰💸

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

Clevelanders near and far make the pilgrimage -- for fish & chips, but also tradition & experience.  

Even out-of-towners come for gold-breaded memories.

Soon, they’ll have another way to indulge in the last bastion of Arthur Treacher’s -- the iconic fish & chippy that once had 826 eateries around the country and now survives and thrives in Northeast Ohio.

The revived chain will open its fourth location in Lakewood – at Madison and West 117^th in Lakewood, in the site of Joe’s Deli.

“It was used to be a Treacher’s in the ‘70s and ‘80s,” say Ryan Nichols, manager and co-partner. “The exterior has the original roof and front, but the interior needs a renovation.”

Slated to open this year with carry-out and dine-in, it could spark a resurrection of the faux-British Empire.

Owner George Simon has teased new openings in Rocky River, Westlake, North Olmsted and Canton.

“Initially, he bought Garfield Heights location for the real estate, after it closed in 2021,” says Nichols. “Then he noticed how happy people were to have it back – and decided to revive and grow the brand.”

He purchased one in Cuyahoga Falls, then opened a third in Cleveland Heights.

“Arthur Treacher’s is about more than food to people says Nichols. “And we’re looking to keep it growing.”

A 12.5% drop in price? What a deal, nice. Now cough up $17.5 million and the most expensive house in Ohio could be yours.

Completed in 2018 on more than 61 acres along the Chagrin River in Hunting Valley, the 20,700-square-foot ode to extravagance is jam-packed with amenities.

Yes, there are six massive bedrooms, Italian marble throughout, chandeliers in the bathrooms, a plunge pool and bocce court.

But that’s peanuts compared the other stuff: three garages with parking for 20 cars, heated driveways, a movie theater, 13 bathrooms and a man-cave with a bar, golf simulator and barber room. Full listing.

The neo-‘Shingle-style’ estate was designed for Joseph and Kimberly Wesley. Joseph, a founder the construction staffing firm Tradesmen International, passed away in 2021.

They spent $20 million – which included traveling to Milan for furniture and lighting not available in the U.S.; choosing a yacht designer to craft a curved look for the interiors; and hiring the designer of the Bellagio in Vegas for a peacock mosaic in the dining room.

Still interested?

Ok, here we go:

Throw down the 20% down payment and the closing costs: $4,199.760.

Get your 30-year mortgage…

Boom: $107,219 a month. Deal!

The issue has evolved like with a war gone wrong.

In less than a year, the public has shifted from modestly favoring data centers (+2%) to hating them (-49%).

Electricity prices, endless hums, water costs… They’re all reasons for one of the biggest shifts on an issue ever.

Even Ohio – one of the country’s most pro-data center states – paused tax breaks after handouts ballooned more than 11 times projections.

Now come Cuyahoga County guidelines that warn communities against entering into any agreements before considering the costs and impact on water and power grids.

"Left unchecked, data center projects can drain our power, our water, and our tax dollars without creating enough new jobs or tax revenue,” says County Executive Chris Ronayne.

Just wait ‘til the next shoe drops: Data centers, whose ravenous hunger for memory have sent data storage costs skyrocketing – and will result in a 20% increase in iPhone prices.

“The situation has become unsustainable,” warns Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Forget gas, oil and food and beware the next consumer killer: ‘Chipflation.’

MONDAY

Slow Roll Cleveland: The weekly bike riding group will trek through one of Cleveland most unique areas, Old Brooklyn -- its leafy neighborhoods, pubs and zoo. 7 p.m. Info.

Secret Movie Night: Midnight Rental movie host Lenora will roll out the best – or worst – in VHS campy horror classics at the Grog Shop. There’s a themed menu to boot. 8 pm. Info.

TUESDAY

Patio Party at Sarita: The Lakewood eatery celebrates the opening of its secluded getaway – greenery, flowers, vines – with tropical cocktails and island bites. 5 p.m. Info.

‘The Great Gatsby’: The acclaimed Tony-winning musical based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic 1925 novel opens its final week in Connor Palace in Playhouse Square. 7:30 p.m. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

Tossing softballs from the 52^nd floor of the Terminal Tower seemed like a good idea at the time.

At least that what Ted Stepien thought on June 24, 1980.

The owner of the Cavs and the pro softball Cleveland Competitors celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the iconic tower by replicating a 1938 baseball drop.

Five thousand spectators gathered in Public Square during lunchtime to watch.

As it turns out, softballs weren’t exactly soft.

Falling from 708 feet, they reached speeds of 144 mph.

The first throw dented a parked car. Two struck bystanders: one, on the shoulder; another on the wrist – which resulted in a broken wrist and a $35,875 lawsuit.

A fourth bounced high off the pavement. Finally, a fifth was caught by Competitors outfielder Mike Zarefoss.

Crazy times, Cleveland.

At the time, the Cuyahoga River Fire of June 22, 1969, was hardly a big deal – a 20-minute blaze and the 13^th fire on the river going back to the 19^th century. It was nothing compared to the 1952 fire around Jefferson and West 3rd street that caused $1.5 million in damage. The Cuyahoga caught fire often because it was covered with oil and chemical spills that, combined with flammable debris, made it a river just waiting to burn.

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68 °F 🌡️ 61 °F | 🌧️💨 (AM Rain, Windy) | 90% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 21 mph NE (≈ 18 knots)

72 °F 🌡️ 59 °F | ☀️ (Mostly Sunny) | 5% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 12 mph NNW (≈ 10 knots)

76 °F 🌡️ 65 °F | ☀️ (Mostly Sunny) | 5% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 8 mph NW (≈ 7 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Away vs. White Sox, 7:40 PM June 22 (Monday)

Away vs. White Sox, 7:40 PM June 23 (Tuesday)

Away vs. White Sox, 2:10 PM June 24 (Wednesday)

Home vs. Mariners, 7:10 PM June 26 (Friday)

Home vs. Mariners, 7:10 PM June 27 (Saturday)

Home vs. Mariners, 1:40 PM June 28 (Sunday)

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