🚀 Cleveland’s Going Back to the Moon (Seriously)

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: Some restaurants come and go. Others stick around long enough to become part of the city’s DNA. Shay’s just hit 40 🍽️🎉

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America is launching a new era in space… and Cleveland fueling the ride.

Artemis II -- the first lunar mission since 1972 – is set to launch at 6:24 tonight. (Follow it here.)

It will carry four astronauts around the moon on Orion -- whose functionality, propulsion and communications systems were developed or tested at NASA Glenn Research Center.

One small step for NASA, one giant leap for Cleveland.

Glenn will also play a central role in Artemis III, which will land astronauts on the moon in 2028 to establish a permanent base – and will lead the construction of a nuclear reactor, by 2030, to fuel a mission to mars.

“You need a manufacturing habitat on the moon to get to Mars, and it needs to be sustainable,” says Chris Sheehan, of Sierra Lobo, a NASA aerospace contractor. 

State and area leaders of both parties have lobbied the Trump administration to move NASA HQ moved to Cleveland. It’s well-positioned technologically — with Artemis, Blue Abyss and satellite communications programs. 

It looks like something out of a movie because, well, it was in one: “American Splendor” – the Oscar-nominated 2003 film about Cleveland underground comic book writer Harvey Pekar, played by Paul Giamatti.

Welcome to Shay’s Restaurant – an East Side gem with curved counters, old-school booths, vintage décor, one of the city’s top breakfasts and a friendly wait staff.

Since 1986, it’s been serving three-egg omelets with home fries or grits to downtowners, neighborhood regulars and ‘American Splendor’ fans.

There’s also the He-Man Breakfast – three pancakes or waffles, two eggs any style, and bacon or sausage on the side.

Shay’s is celebrating its 40^th anniversary not with great fanfare, but rather with the timeless vibe and look and hospitality that makes it a Cleveland classic.

The theaters had fallen in disrepair, and the area had a date with the wrecking ball in the 1970s. It never came, thanks to the hard work of civic activists.

Playhouse Square is the nation’s second-largest performing arts center – and the city’s greatest preservation story.

The theater district has become a launching pad for national tours – including Death Becomes Her.

The Tony Award-winning musical comedy based on the 1992 film will make its national tour premiere when it opens the just-announced 2026-27 KeyBank Broadway Series on Sept. 12.

The highly anticipated season features an eclectic mix of Broadway hits, beloved classics, and family-friendly spectacles.

It includes:

Mamma Mia!: The ABBA-laced musical (Jan. 5-24).

BOOP! The Musical: The story of iconic 1930s cartoon character Betty Boop (Feb. 2-21).

Maybe Happy Ending: Six-time 2025 Tony Awards winner about service robots (March 2–21).

The Phantom of the Opera: A new production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic (April 14-May 9).

Buena Vista Social Club: A celebration of Cuban music and culture (July 27-Aug. 15, 2027).

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: The Tony Award-winning Harry Potter play (Aug. 24-Sept. 12).

Wednesday

Cleveland Guardians: Past, Present, Future: Guardians Senior VP Bobby DiBasio shares baseball stories and looks to the team’s future. 7 p.m. at Music Box. Info.

Bingo Death Match: The art variety game and drag show celebrates April Fool’s with tomfoolery at Dunlap’s Corner Bar. 8 p.m. Info.

Golomb: The Columbus psych-power-pop outfit hits the Grog Shop. Also playing: Lavender Jets and Powers/Rolin Duo. 8 p.m. Info.

Thursday

Sophie Buddle: The comic, TV writer and podcaster brings her cutting observations on pop culture craziness to Hilarities. 8 p.m. at Hilarities. She also performs 7:15 & 9:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Info.

Patti LaBelle: The legendary soul singer celebrates her 80^th birthday and 65 yers in showbiz with a tour that hits MGM Northfield Park. 7:30 p.m. Info.

Debussy’s La Mer: Grammy-winning organist Paul Jacobs joins the Cleveland Orchestra to perform the French founder of musical impressionism. 7 p.m., Severance Hall. (Also Friday and Saturday.) Info.

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He doesn’t wear a purple velvet suit or employ Oompa Loompas. But you’d be hard-pressed to find a candy man that has sparked pure imagination like Tom Scheiman.

Step right up to B.A. Sweetie -- the biggest candy store in North America at 40,000 square feet, with 5,500 brands and 600,000 pounds of treats.

The Cleveland icon is a destination for locals and even a tourist destination – especially this time of year.

“We get travelers coming from all over all over the country,” says Scheiman.

They come for the whimsy, nostalgic displays and those crazy soda pop flavors -- from pickle juice to toxic waste and bug barf.

There’s also the ice cream parlor and Golfland Park – an enchanting course adorned with giant lollipops, streams and trees.

“People tell me that I’m Willy Wonka,” Scheiman laughs. “We have treats that remind you of when you were a kid, no matter the age.”

Engineers at the Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory (now NASA’s Glenn Research Center) check a model of a supersonic aircraft, 1957.

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop on Facebook & @scoopcle on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

60 °F 🌡️ 37 °F | ⛈️ (Heavy Rain & Overnight T-Storms) | 100% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 18 mph (≈ 16 knots)

68 °F 🌡️ 39 °F | 🌧️ (Rain Showers / Much Warmer) | 70% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 15 mph (≈ 13 knots)

64 °F 🌡️ 55 °F | 🌧️ (Cloudy with Rain Showers) | 60% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 14 mph (≈ 12 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. Warriors, 10:00 PM April 2 (Thursday)

Home vs. Pacers, 6:00 PM April 5 (Sunday)

Away vs. Dodgers, 8:20 PM April 1 (Wednesday)

Home vs. Cubs, 4:10 PM April 3 (Friday)

Home vs. Cubs, 7:15 PM April 4 (Saturday)

Home vs. Cubs, 1:40 PM April 5 (Sunday)

Thanks for reading The 216 Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who’s dedicated to supporting Cleveland’s art scene.

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