📰 From wheat to wow: Cleveland’s silos get a glow-up

Good morning, Cleveland! Another chapter in East Bank nightlife is closing — and yes, it’s complicated 🪩🕺

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

They were once pillars of economic activity in the Flats. Now, the abandoned silos of the old Grain Craft flour mill are being prepared for very different life.

Would you sleep in a grain silo?

You’ll have the chance when they’re transformed into a 147-room boutique hotel

The $62 million project to transform the silos has secured $5 million in Ohio historic preservation tax credits.

The hotel – no brand announced yet -- is part of a multi-phase effort that would include amenities in later stages.

The iconic Grain Craft mill dates back to the 19th century, and the concrete silos were added in 1937. It was once a bustling hub of grain processing, operating until its closure in 2020 – when it became a destination for urban explorers.

In 2023, Cleveland Metroparks acquired the 3.3-acre property for $3.5 million, to integrate it into broader riverfront trail plans.

Demolition of the silos was considered to make way for green space, but preservation efforts shifted the focus toward adaptive reuse.

Construction is slated to begin in 2027, with completion expected around 2.5 years later.

Inspired by silo conversions like Akron's Quaker Square, the project involves cutting windows that offer guests panoramic views of the city, river and passing freighters.

Why spend the final days before Christmas scrolling through Amazon and hoping your package arrives on time when you can shop local – and have a blast doing it?

The weekend rolls in a slew of markets featuring local artisans and venders hawking their goods. Here are four:

Third Friday Art Walk: The holiday edition of the 78^th Street Studios monthly bash boasts artists, vendors, food and drink. A lively stroll. 5-9 p.m. Friday. Info.

Holiday Market at Screw Factory: The repurposed factory goes all-out for the holidays with this three-day soiree with makers and vendors. Cool building, too. Friday-Sunday. Info.

Berea Flea Market: A treasure trove of stuff with 70+ vendors in two heated buildings at Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. Saturday-Sunday. Info.

Beachland Ballroom Christmas Flea: As much of a party as a shopping spree, it features vintage collectibles, clothes, décor and, yes, vinyl and music memorabilia. 10 a.m. Sunday. Info.

Home purchases are getting cancelled at a record rate around the country. Foreclosures are up and prices are down in a number of cities.

And yet, Cleveland has been of a beacon of resilience in a challenging landscape.

Our latest 216 Insider newsletter -- out yesterday – is a deep dive into housing, with a look toward 2026 and a question:

Why is Cleveland called a ‘refuge’ amid speculative bubbles around the country?

“It has to do with affordability,” says Anna Lee Rindskopf, a Cleveland realtor of the Anna Lee and Company Home Group, RE/MAX Crossroads Properties.

“Cleveland is a town of survivors, and they’ve learned to prioritize their money,” she adds. “They don’t throw money around as much as people who buy into speculative bubbles.”

We also explore economic pressures weighing on housing, the plight of first-home and young buyers and mistakes buyers make.

The biggest are lack of knowledge and patience.

“Get pre-approved with a lender as soon as you can, understand your true budget, and take time to learn the full costs of ownership taxes, insurance, closing costs, and maintenance,” says Emerson Lindsley, a loan officer at Conrad Mortgage in Strongsville.

“The more you understand upfront, the smoother and less stressful your first home purchase will be,” he adds.

When you upgrade to The 216 Insider, you get deeper reporting, exclusive insights, and special members-only content you won’t find in the free edition. From housing and development to nightlife, culture, and weekend plans, the upgrade helps support local journalism while giving you more of what you actually read.

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Christmas is more than a month away and, yet, here we are, partaking in holiday parties every night. Christmas pop-up bars and Christmas soirees are hitting Cleveland in full force. Here we go…

Dark Wave Dance Cave: Turn down the lights and sing and dark along to the darkness. The Goth party rolls out a mix of darkwave, synthpop, post-punk and, above all, Goth classics. 9 p.m. Saturday at the Winchester. Info.

Ugly Christmas Dog Sweater Party: Pups make everything adorable – even those hideous holiday sweaters. Check out this bash at Taps & Tails. The dog park and cocktail bar will roll out a pooch parade of models and photos with the Grinch. 5 p.m. Saturday. Info.

Club2K Dance Party: Mahall’s turns the clock back to the 2000s/2010s with dance and pop tracks by hitmakers of the decades. 7 p.m. Saturday. Info.

Winterloo on Waterloo: The bash celebrates the season with bands playing venues all along Waterloo Road in Collinwood. Noon Sunday. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

It’s been a year of changes in the East Bank Flats, starting with the closing of longtime anchor Big Bang Dueling Pianos bar and the opening of Decades dance club in its place.

In between, there was the closing of Beerhead, Rumrunners, Inferno and Margaritaville.

Now comes another change: 1970s-themed club Good Night John Boy will host its last disco in January.

But dance will go on a few feet away: It will re-open in the spring, in the old Jade Steak and Sushi spot in the Flats -- along the river, next to woohoo country bar, Welcome to the Farm.

Closed in 1992, the former home of Richman Brothers Company sits abandoned – a hulking giant on East 55^th Street. It was once one of Cleveland’s biggest employers and iconic companies. This is an advertisement for the company from the 1930s. Check out our Instagram page for a video tour of the place and its past @scoopcle

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

42 °F 🌡️ 26 °F | 🌧️ → ❄️ (rain changing to snow / overcast) | 59% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 20 mph (≈ 17 knots)

42 °F 🌡️ 24 °F | ❄️ → ☔ (snow changing to rain later / overcast) | 54% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 19 mph (≈ 16 knots)

40 °F 🌡️ 30 °F | ☁️ → 🌦️ (sprinkles early, breaks of sun late) | 54% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 15 mph (≈ 13 knots)

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

Home vs. Bulls, 7:30 PM December 19 (Friday)

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