🌯 West 25th just leveled up

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: Free agency opened yesterday, which means Browns Twitter is currently evaluating 47 different offensive linemen and at least three wide receivers we’ve never heard of 🏈🧱🤔

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See Peru through the eyes of the women who call it home on Intrepid’s brand-new Women’s Expedition.

With an expert local leader out front and a small group of like-minded travellers by your side, this trip gives you a unique insight into Peru’s culture and traditions.

Part of Intrepid’s Women’s expedition range, this eight-day adventure has been thoughtfully designed to support local women in tourism while delivering immersive experiences specifically for women travellers.

You’ll traverse the lesser-known Chinchero to Urquillos trail in the Peruvian Andes alongside an all-female crew, spend time in an Andean village learning about daily life, take part in a traditional textile workshop led by local women and experience a spiritual cleansing ritual guided by a female shaman.

Find your adventure

West 25^th Street has encountered its share of challenges.

Beer consumption has declined post-COVID. Rising rents drove SoHo out. RTA announced it’s moving ahead with a project that will remove street parking.

But here’s something that everyone will crow about: Rooster Kitchen is coming.

In June, the popular food truck will open a brick-and-mortar operation in the home of Ohio City Burrito.

It’s the first of two exciting changes in the neighborhood.

OCB will move 400 feet south on West 25^th into the old Family Dollar spot that will triple its footprint and offer more dine-in seating.

Rooster Kitchen will bring a unique kitchen to the neighborhood.

Owner June Smith is a native of Narathiwat in southern Thailand -- near the Malaysian border, where Thai, Malay, Chinese, and Muslim cultures all meet.

“Food was always a mix of those traditions,” she says. “At Rooster Kitchen, we focus on Bangkok Street food like Pad Thai and hibachi, but the flavors and memories from where I grew up are always part of how I cook.”

Smith worked as a manicurist before opening Rooster Kitchen three years ago.

“I juggled between the two before going full time with the food truck,” says Smith. “Having this space is exciting. I can also serve beer, do more things, and it’s a cool neighborhood.”

This is our Super Bowl – when hopes that big moves in NFL free agency restore our faith in the Browns.

The two-day “legal tampering” period starts noon today. It officially opens at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

Needs: Offensive line, wide receiver, tight end, quarterback.

Cap space: The Browns have $30 to $36 million to spend, thanks to the restructuring of Deshaun Watson’s contract. Restructuring Denzel Ward and Myles Garrett creates another $30 million.

Follow the money: Filling needs through free agency allows the team to take the best player available in the NFL Draft (April 23-25).

Free agent targets: One major signing (like Tyler Linderbaum, C, Ravens or Rasheed Walker, OT, Packers), followed by bargains to fill holes.

Trades: GM Andrew Barry traded for wide receivers Amare Cooper (2022) and Jerry Jeudy (2024) for low-round picks. He could do it again.

O-Line: A complete overhaul requires trades, free agency and the draft to achieve. They just acquired right tackle Tytus Howard.

Deshaun Watson: Cutting him would have triggered an $80 cap hit and shut the door on all moves. He’ll be on the roster and could start next season.

Crazy rumor: Signing Packers’ back-up QB Malik Willis to a $50 million, two-year deal? Too much $$$ for a reclamation project.

More than a bookstore, it’s also a café, eatery and performance space.

Visible Voice Books is also a hang out, as dozens of people lounging around the Lorain Avenue complex could attest to on Saturday.

The recently opened bookstore has brought the Ohio City neighborhood new life – not to mention a new shop.

Hausfrau -- one of the area’s most savvy record stores – has just opened in an upstairs space in the building.

Judging from Saturday, it’s also bringing in the crowds.

“People love the new space,” says owner Steve Peffer, who opened the store in 2012, in Gordon Square. “I’ve wanted to expand and try new stuff, and this gives me the chance to.”

The selection is wider. So are the aisles. And there are T-shirts. There’s something else, too: The neighborhood.

“[Visible Voice owner] Dave Ferrante has a vision for the area, and it was like the planets were aligned,” adds Peffer. “When he showed me the space, I knew I wanted to be here, like right now.”

Monday

Riki Rachtman: The L.A. metal scenester and host of MTV’s ‘Headbanger’s Ball’ hits the Winchester to recount tales of sleaze and debauchery. 8 p.m. Info.

Tuesday

Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy: The actor and musician team up with friends to pay tribute to R.E.M. by performing the band’s ‘Life's Rich Pageant’ album at Globe Iron. 8 p.m. Info.

Water for Elephants: The Broadway Musical about a train-hopper who finds himself in a traveling circus opens in Connor Palace in Playhouse Square. It runs though March 29. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

High-end retail has seen a nasty downturn, with global luxury sales declining 5% in 2025.

Down goes Saks Fifth Avenue.

The retailer is closing 15 of its stores in the U.S., including its Beachwood Place location.

An original anchor store since the mall’s opening in 1978, it’s renowned for its designer women's and men's fashions, beauty products, handbags, shoes, fine jewelry.

The closure claims one of the area’s few high-end department stores.

Saks’ demise marks the end to the pandemic-era "luxury supercycle” – driven by price fatigue.

A majority of consumers consider high-end goods overpriced and have turned toward resale platforms and more affordable, high-quality alternatives.

For most of the '60s and '70s, Chinese eateries lined the old Chinatown on Rockwell between East 21st and East 24th streets. It was the epicenter of the Chinese community, which experienced rapid beginning in the 1950s -- coinciding with a wave of immigrants escaping communism.

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60 °F 🌡️ 43 °F | ⛅ (Partly Cloudy / Warmer) | 10% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 12 mph (≈ 10 knots)

60 °F 🌡️ 51 °F | 🌧️ (Rain / Breezy & Mild) | 80% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 18 mph (≈ 16 knots)

60 °F 🌡️ 35 °F | ☁️➡️🌤️ (AM Showers to Clearing) | 40% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 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. 76ers, 7:00 PM March 9 (Monday)

Away vs. Magic, 7:30 PM March 11 (Wednesday)

Away vs. Mavericks, 7:30 PM March 13 (Friday)

Home vs. Mavericks, 3:30 PM March 15 (Sunday)

Away vs. Royals, 4:05 PM March 9 (Monday)

Home vs. Giants, 4:05 PM March 10 (Tuesday)

Home vs. Brewers, 9:05 PM March 12 (Thursday)

Away vs. Angels, 4:10 PM March 13 (Friday)

Away vs. Padres, 4:10 PM March 14 (Saturday)

Home vs. Athletics, 4:05 PM March 15 (Sunday)

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