🏙️ Lorain Avenue’s Next Chapter

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: One of our city’s go-to spots went up in flames—and we’re all feeling it 🔥💔🍽️

Don’t keep us a secret: Share the email with friends (copy URL here)​

For years, Ohio City was synonymous with West 25^th. And the further you traveled away from it on Lorain Avenue the deeper you found yourself in a dead zone.

But things are changing by the month – and November a big transformation.

That’s when Tremont mainstay Visible Voice Books re-opens in a long-shuttered building that once housed the Lorain Theater.

The 6,000-square-foot complex – three years in the making -- boasts an expanded bookstore, as well as a café-bar, restaurant and performance space.

“I’ve had this vision for a long time,” says owner Dave Ferrante. “I see this as a sanctuary from everyday life where you can get food, drinks, hang out, check out a book.”

And listen to live music – an idea that came about by chance.

“I started going through the building and saw this hole in this plywood floor and discovered an area underneath with a stage with these beautiful old murals on the walls,” adds Ferrante, who also owns Bessemer Management, the 56^th biggest trucking company in the country. “It’s perfect for music.”

He envisions the 160-capacity venue hosting roots, blues, jazz and authors.

The vision goes far beyond that. He’s rehabbed and developed two other Lorain buildings that house Proof BBQ, Guitar Riot and Free Hearts yoga studio.

Joining them soon are the new home for Soho Chicken + Whiskey and Noble Beast’s Biergarten.

“You have residential, retail and restaurants all coming here,” says Ferrante. “It’s a year or two away, but this area is taking off and I want to be part of the resurgence.”

It always feels like home and a top spot for pancakes in Cleveland. Now, Annie B. & Earl’s Pancake House’s future is in doubt.

On Sunday, a devastating fire caused $500,000 in damages to the two-story building that houses the soul food breakfast spot in AsiaTown, according to the Cleveland Fire Department.

“We are asking for prayers at this time for the Annie B Family. We experienced a devastating loss last night. We are grateful that only material things were lost but we are grieving for a place we built with love,” read the eatery’s Instagram.

Opened in 2012, the beloved spot was also hailed for its grits, “Chu Chu” Polish Boy and Momma Synobia’s Bowl of Beans and Cornbread and received raves by Thrillist and Yelp.

Crazy flipper fingers. Eyes for lights a-flashing. A pocketful of quarters and... Cleveland Pinball League opens its 27th season on Tuesday.

Over eight weeks, CPL will host competitions that double as parties for pinball lovers regardless of skill level. It hosts events at three locations on a weekly basis: Tuesdays at Pinball Planet; Wednesdays and Sundays at Superelectric Pinball Parlor. Info.

Founded in 2014, the league has grown from a leisurely get-together for 30 pinball junkies to a competitive league of players celebrating a game whose roots go back to 18th century France.

CPL is one of the biggest in the country – with 548 players and the 51^st wizard in the world, John Delzoppo, according to International Flipper Pinball Association.

Be ready when it matters most. Cobra Fire Blanket lets you instantly smother dangerous flames — no panic, no mess, no training required.

Join over 313,000 families who trust Cobra for quick, clean, and reliable fire protection — because every second counts.

Skatch Anderssen Orchestra: The high-energy group rolls out big band standards at Brothers Lounge. 8 tonight. Info.

Osees: The San Francisco band brings its raucous garage-rock, Krautrock and psychedelic jams to Globe Iron. 8 p.m. Tuesday. Info.

“Bugonia”: The advance screening of the conspiracy thriller featuring Emma Stone comes with a slick promotion: Bald attendees get complimentary popcorn, a soda voucher and movie tickets. You can also get your head shaved at the event to qualify. 6 p.m. Tuesday at Phoenix Theatres Great Northern. Info.

Magic Mike Night: Cincy-based Queen City Hunks break out choreographed a macho male revue and come-on theatrics. 7 p.m. Tuesday at Winchester Tavern. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

Egads, Severance Music Center is turning into a house of horrors.

The Cleveland Orchestra will dive into ooky-spooky season with two concerts Alfred Hitchcock would be proud of.

On Nov. 5, it will perform Bernard Herrmann’s creepy score of “Psycho” to accompany a screening of the director’s 1960 film about the maniac in Bates Motel. Info.

Then on Nov. 7, the band will jump into another Herrmann score to Hitchcock’s suspenseful 1958 classic “Vertigo.” Info.

Skilled Italian immigrant stone carvers known as scalpellini work on the Guardians of Traffic in 1932.

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

58 °F 🌡️ 38 °F | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 E ≈ 10 mph (≈ 9 knots)

57 °F 🌡️ 38 °F | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 Calm ≈ 0 mph (≈ 0 knots)

55 °F 🌡️ 42 °F | ⛅ | 40% | 💨 Calm ≈ 0 mph (≈ 0 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. Pistons, 7 PM October 27 (Monday)

Away vs. Celtics, 7 PM October 29 (Wednesday)

Thanks for reading The 216 Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who’ll defend Cleveland’s pizza to their last breath.

Watch this quick video (start at 0:50) to see how easy it is to add our app to your home screen!