🏙️ Hough: Then, Now & What Comes Next

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: You no longer need a passport for a taste of Paris. Edwins Oyster Bar has officially arrived in Cleveland Heights 🦪🇫🇷

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

Sixty years ago today, Cleveland suffered one its most harrowing nights – when the National Guard hit the streets of Hough as buildings burned, and looting, violence and chaos consumed the neighborhood.

The July 18-24, 1966 riots were part of a wave of urban unrest in the U.S.

Hough – spanning two square miles from Superior to Euclid, East 55^th to 105^th -- became synonymous with Cleveland’s decline.

It also reflects hopes and challenges going forward.

The Spark: Racial incidents at Seventy-Niner’s Café (a Jewish-owned bar popular with Black patrons) at East 79th and Hough.

Damage: Four deaths, 30 injuries, 240 fires, 300 arrests, $1-2 million in damages.

Impact: White and Black flight. It was severely overcrowded with a 66,000 pre-riot population. Now, it is less than 11,000. The riots hastened disinvestment, depressed property values.

Challenges: 43% poverty rates, with violent crime significantly above national averages.

Signs of revival: Historic League Park was restored and reopened in 2014 – a confidence booster and tourist attraction. Long a food desert, Hough welcomed a Dave’s Supermarket in 2019.

Progress: Several multi-million projects are growing Hough with affordable housing, from 9410 Hough to Gateway66 to the conversion of the historic, 120-year-old Hough Bank.

Location: Hough strategically sits near Cleveland Clinic, University Hospital and University Circle – with wide thoroughfares, easy access and open spaces.

Room to Grow: Vacant lots exceed 50%, but many are owned by the Cuyahoga Land Bank and the city. There’s been an uptick in sales for development projects. Tree-planting projects have created sprawling green spaces.

Activity: Hough will enjoy economic spillover from much-touted Midline project. It could be next in line for a similar development.

Fifty feet to the left and you’re in Paris.

At least that’s the goal of Edwins Oyster Bar, which makes its debut on Wednesday in a former barber shop-salon in Cleveland Heights.

“You’re going to have crab and bulot, oyster, everything that’s classic to Paris in this little bar,” says chef owner Brandon Chrostowski.

It’s located next to his flagship bistro, Edwins, which opened in old Nighttown spot last year.

Edwins is also French-themed – but there’s a big, er, small difference?

The oyster bar is a mere 900-square-foot spot, with a smaller, more focused menu: from East and West Coast oysters to ceviche, lobster, a handful of lightly-fried opens and a parings of French wines and Champagne.

“Only 23 seats here, so it’s a small place and no reservations, so you have to get in early,” says Chrostowski, winner of a James Beard Award for his impact in the culinary industry.

There’s also the patio, which seats as many as the bar and more a more laid-back, summer-in-Cleveland milieu. Info.

Nothing like some “Unhealthy” to put some pep in your step and make you want to go for a run and a swim.

It sure beats “Danger” or Hazardous” or “Wear a Gas Mask Right Now.”

The Air Quality Index will rebound from historically poor levels – when readings shot in the 700s, into dangerous territory.

Air quality is expected to improve steadily this week as smoke plumes shift away and weather patterns bring dispersion:

MONDAY

Guardians vs. Twins: Will the offense ever come alive? It needs to as the Guards open a four-game series at Progressive Field. 6:40 p.m. Info.

Bloc Party: The Londoners deftly blend rock with electronic, indie and post-punk stylings. 7 p.m., Globe Iron. Info.

Lucy Dacus: The singer-songwriter and Boygenius member is on tour in support of her fourth solo album, Forever is a Feeling. Agora Theatre. 8 p.m. Info.

TUESDAY

Frank Sinatra Luncheon Cruise: The Goodtime III travels the river and lake to the music of Ol Blue Eyes. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

It was a year of triumph and transformation – when sports glory, politics and urban revival made Cleveland the center of the universe. But it was the Cavs that brought the city together.

On Saturday, the Cleveland Public Library and Cavs will celebrate the team’s historic season when they unveil “All In 216: 10th Anniversary Championship.”

The exhibit – at the Main Library Campus -- pays tribute to the 2016 NBA Championship with memorabilia from the historic 3-1 comeback, iconic plays and the championship parade that filled downtown. Info.

We might even hear from LeBron by then…

Cleveland’s legendary Leo’s Casino. The 700-capacity basement club at 7500 Euclid Avenue hosted countless greats, from Nina Simone to Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, John Coltrane, the Temptations, Otis Redding. The Supremes rode in July 24, 1966, amid the Hough Riots. Leo's seemed like the last place on Earth touched by it all -- where music played even as the fires raged. Two of the three shows went off without incident. The third was canceled only because the National Guard needed to clear the area to restore calm.

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

80 °F 🌡️ 73 °F | ☀️ (Mostly Sunny) | 4% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 7 mph WSW (≈ 6 knots)

79 °F 🌡️ 65 °F | ⛈️ (Thunderstorms) | 82% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 17 mph SW (≈ 15 knots)

70 °F 🌡️ 62 °F | 🌧️➡️⛅ (AM Showers) | 46% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 17 mph NW (≈ 15 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. Twins, 6:40 PM July 20 (Monday)

Home vs. Twins, 6:40 PM July 21 (Tuesday)

Home vs. Twins, 6:40 PM July 22 (Wednesday)

Home vs. Twins, 1:10 PM July 23 (Thursday)

Away vs. Rays, 7:10 PM July 24 (Friday)

Away vs. Rays, 6:10 PM July 25 (Saturday)

Away vs. Rays, 12:15 PM July 26 (Sunday)

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