🐟 One Last Fish Fry for Ridgewood Inn

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: It’s National Pet Day—and if you’ve been even slightly thinking about adopting, consider this your sign 🐶🐾❤️

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

It’s been a pillar of Parma and a home to the area’s longest-running fish fry since 1949. But there’s more to it, much more…

Tradition. Personality. Charm.

Few places embody all three like Ridgewood Inn.

It defines the real-deal bar vibe – one created over decades, where vintage décor and an extended family of regulars have come for a shot and a beer, walleye and pierogis.

Unfortunately, those days are coming to an end.

The bar-restaurant, which has been a family affair since Peggy and George Shaeban bought it in 1977, is ending its run on April 18.

“It was time for us to sell the business,” says their daughter Erin Shaerban, who cooks in the kitchen. “The new owners are turning it into a country bar.”

Her brother Mike has tended bar throughout Ridgewood’s storied run.

“I started when I was 20,” he says. “I worked 18,000 days behind that bar.”

OK, let’s do the math: He estimates selling 150 drinks a night… So, 2,700,000?

“Actually, probably closer to three million, some nights were better,” he says.

“When I started, we’d sell a fishbowl of beer and shot was 45 cents. They got upset when we raised it to 50 cents.”

Leaving it won’t be easy.

“People came as kids with grandad and would year later bring their kids and grandkids,” he says. “I got to know a lot of people and I’m going to miss them.”

We’re living in Casino America – where you can bet on anything, from the odds that Jesus Christ will return in 2026 to making prop bets balls and strikes in baseball.

(How’s that going for you, Emmanuel Clase?)

Now, Ohio lawmakers are saying enough is enough, at least when it comes to sports.

Three Republican lawmakers in the Ohio House introduced legislation aimed at restricting sports betting in the state.

The bill would require wagers to be placed in person at one of Ohio’s four physical casinos, effectively ending betting via apps like BetMGM and DraftKings.

It would also prohibit betting on college sports and eliminate in-game betting, player prop bets on individual athlete performance and parlay bets that multiple outcomes for higher payouts.

Betting mania has exploded in the U.S., with $160–170 billion in wagers in 2025, up from $150 billion in ’25.

Ohio is America’s fourth-biggest betting state, with 15 online platforms – despite Gov. Mike DeWine saying that legalizing them was one of his biggest mistakes.

There’s no love purer than the one we share with our animals.

National Pet Day is Saturday – when we pause to celebrate the joy, companionship, and unconditional love that pets bring into our lives.

It’s also a powerful reminder that local shelters are struggling. Northeast Ohio facilities like Cleveland APL, Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter, and City Dogs Cleveland take in thousands of animals every year — many as strays or owner surrenders due to housing issues, financial hardship, or life changes.

Nationally, an estimated 5.8 million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues in 2025. Locally, overcrowding has been common, especially for dogs. Larger breeds and senior pets often wait months for homes.

This National Pet Day honors the pets we love — and reminds us of the loving animals still waiting for theirs.

Friday

Chip Tha Ripper: The Cleveland rapper out created a buzz around town with his mixtapes at the start of the century. He hits Brothers Lounge before hitting the road with Kid Cudi. 7 p.m. Info.

Indie Dance Party: Hit the dance floor – it’s DJ White Rims spinning indie dance and rock tunes spanning the 21^st century. 9 p.m. at Dunlap’s Corner Bar. Info.

Saturday

The Lottery League Draft: The local music event of the year features bands composed of 170 musical strangers who were drafted to play with one another – and the draft hits Ingenuity Cleveland, complete with musical entertainment. 7:30 p.m. Info.

Sunday

Beachland Spring Flea: This market and hang out rolls out vendors selling: vinyl, vintage items, retro clothing, handmade jewelry and gifts, artwork, music memorabilia.10 a.m. Info.

Cavaliers vs. Wizards: The season is coming to end, and the team should land the 4^th seed (to avoid playing the Celtics in the second round) – so, will they tank against the lowly Wizards? We’ll see. 6 p.m. Rocket Arena. Info.

Wedding Present: They defined England’s indie sound in the 1980s and ‘90s with its driving, jangly and noisy brand of post-punk pop. 8 p.m. at the Grog Shop. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

His run of three brilliant albums in 15 months from 1965 to ’66 – ‘Bringing It All Back Home,” “Highway 61 Revisited” and “Blonde on Blonde” – is a feat unseen in music.

But it’s his 1975 album, ‘Blood on the Tracks,’ that started a new era – one that interacts with the world in personal, introspective and philosophical ways.

No surprise given his age and life experiences. At 84, he eschews the public eye and promotion machine… Is he mysterious, a reclusive or playing hard to get?

We do know he’s a relentless tour dog.

At 8 tonight, he hits the State Theatre in support of his ‘Rough and Rowdy Ways’ album. Info.

New York Spaghetti House -- a family-run Cleveland restaurant on East Ninth Street that enjoyed a legendary run for 74 years. Founded in 1927 by Mario Brigotti, it was renowned for its secret-recipe brown meat sauce, fresh bread, and seasoned waiters who memorized complex orders.

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

63 °F 🌡️ 38 °F | 🌧️ (Rain Showers / Cooler Night) | 80% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 15 mph (≈ 13 knots)

53 °F 🌡️ 44 °F | ⛅ (Partly Cloudy / Seasonable) | 0% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 10 mph (≈ 9 knots)

76 °F 🌡️ 65 °F | 🌤️ (Partly Sunny / Spring Warmth) | 30% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 16 mph (≈ 14 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. Hawks, 7:00 PM April 10 (Friday)

Home vs. Wizards, 6:00 PM April 12 (Sunday)

Away vs. Braves, 7:15 PM April 10 (Friday)

Away vs. Braves, 7:15 PM April 11 (Saturday)

Away vs. Braves, 7:20 PM April 12 (Sunday)

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