🥟 The Rudy’s Strudel Story Gets Even Better

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: Edison’s Pub is back in its original owner’s hands. We’ve got the latest on the ownership shake-up 🍺🍻

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John Petkovi & Jude Perez

Lidia Trempe has turned Old World tradition into a pop phenomenon.

She’s been featured on CNN, Good Morning America and The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Ah, but that’s not all in the glamorous life of Parma’s pierogi and paczki queen, and owner of Rudy’s Strudel.

Trempe is also chef to the stars.

She cooked for Bill Murray, when he performed in Cleveland last year. She even hand-fed him pierogis and paczki, and they danced after dinner.

“‘Meatballs’ was my favorite movie growing up,” says Trempe. “He was so nice that he fed me a sandwich he had made. He tours with his own peppers and sausages.”

Musician and comedian Fred Armisen adored her spicy sausage rolls – and, says Trempe, “ate a lot of pastries.”

She’s going all out Thursday when her favorite band Pavement hits the Agora Theatre. Info.

“I’m making brunch and dinner for them,” she says, as she runs through a long list of options, from an array of paczki to syrniki with raspberry compote, a sweet cheese pancake popular in Easter Europe.

“I sent them the menu, and they were like, ‘Wow, that’s so much food’… I just want to show them Cleveland hospitality.”

Trempe became an indie-rock celebrity chef in 2022 when her album-themed pierogis for the band went viral.

“I skipped prom to see them in 1995,” says Trempe. “It’s like a welcome back to Cleveland. I love to make people happy.”

Bill Clinton came to Rudy’s many years ago and loved her food. But, hey, he was a sax player.

Hangry Brands has displayed a voracious appetite for building out and buying up restaurants since 2023.

Scratch Edison’s Pub from the portfolio.

The iconic Tremont bar – purchased in October – is reverting to original owner, Mark Lagrange.

The hospitality group had ceased making payments on it, triggering the handover.

A sign taped to the front window reads: “We work to restore relationships with our suppliers and vendors, we appreciate your patience and understanding during this transition… We look forward to welcoming you back very soon!”

Since 1986, Edison’s has been a pillar of saloon stability in amid waves of gentrification.

Purchasing an old-frills bar was an odd move by Hangry Brands, which also operates Jolene’s, Steak, Society and Corner Alley.

Its rapid expansion is also an anomaly in a climate where high borrowing rates and inflation have narrowed profit margins in restaurants and clubs.

So is its CEO, Jason Beudert, whose declaration that “the age of the chef is done” sparked backlash on social media.

Edison’s isn’t the only shake-up at Hangry.

In September, it purchased late-night Tremont bar Danny’s on Professor to turn it into the office-themed, Danny’s Breakroom.

The move alienated regulars, resulting its closing. In its place, Hangry plans to open Paper Tiger – with a new concept: “Epic American Chinese.”

On East Fourth, where it owns Society and Jolene’s, Hangry has tried to remake Corner Alley to mixed reviews.

Animal shelters are overwhelmed.

They’re taking in more dogs and cats and fewer people are adopting them. It has resulted in a crisis, as many are operating at full capacity.

To make matters worse, summer is the busiest time for stray dogs with pets escaping from their homes and ending up in shelters.

“Remember when we posted that we had over 30 dogs come in over two days?” Well, today it was another 19,” City Dogs Cleveland reports.

“This is a lot of dogs to have come in over a short period of time and we are still scrambling to find them homes and reunite lost pets with their owners.”

Northeast Ohio facilities take in thousands of animals every year — many as strays or owner surrenders due to housing issues, financial hardship, or life changes.

In response, City Dogs is as asking owners of lost dogs to visit the kennel to find their pets – and to take part in and donate to its ‘Slow the Flow’ program, which offers spay/neuter services.

WEDNESDAY

City Stages at Transformer Station: The CMA’s musical block party is back in Ohio City with Afrobeat purveyors Kaleta & Super Yamba Band. 7:30 p.m. Info.

THURSDAY

Cleveland Ale in July: They line up at Great Lakes Brewing early and drink often to celebrate a fresh-brewed of the popular elixir and stay for the entertainment and themed menu. 11 a.m. Info.  

Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Festival: Bring on the food, music and church tours. The popular fest runs through Sunday in Cleveland Heights. Info.  

👉 View Listing on Zillow

Basketball? Baseball?

Talk of such things is unofficially banned on sports radio as of Thursday. That’s when the Browns open training camp in Berea – so expect days on end debating Shedeur vs. Deshaun.

Camp opens with rookies; veterans report Tuesday.

It features nine public practice sessions from July 31 through August 12. All sessions begin at 1:30 p.m. Gates open one 12:30 p.m. Info.

On July 22, 1796, General Moses Cleaveland landed at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River and declared this spot the capital of the Connecticut Western Reserve. He didn’t stick around long — just a few months — but he left his name and laid out what we now know as Public Square. Fast-forward 230 years, and the city he founded is a hub of culture, grit and comeback stories.

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

69 °F 🌡️ 61 °F | ☁️➡️☀️ (AM Clouds, PM Sun) | 14% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 15 mph NW (≈ 13 knots)

73 °F 🌡️ 60 °F | ☀️ (Sunny) | 3% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 9 mph NNW (≈ 8 knots)

79 °F 🌡️ 67 °F | ⛅ (Partly Cloudy) | 5% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 9 mph ENE (≈ 8 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 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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