
Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: Break out the tie-dye. After years away, one of Cleveland’s most wonderfully weird traditions is coming back. The Hessler Street Fair is returning, and somewhere a pair of Birkenstocks just shed a tear ✌️ 🌈 🌼
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In today’s 216 Scoop Edition:
Hippies Return: Cleveland’s Iconic Hessler Street Fair Revives Counterculture Spirit
Guardians vs. White Sox: Rest, Pitching, Improved Hitting Give Cleveland the Edge
Luxe Shutters After 19 Years; Josh Cribbs-backed Sazani Oceana to Close
Here Comes the Weekend: A Six-Pack of Events
Browns Refuse to Fold, Rally Past Steelers for Statement Win
John Petkovic & Jude Perez
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IN THE NEWS
Hippies Return: Cleveland’s Iconic Hessler Street Fair Revives Counterculture Spirit
Photos courtesy Hessler Street Fair Archives
Roll out the tie-dye… The hippies are back.
Hessler Street Fair – one of the most colorful festivals and a mind warp of a time warp – is returning on Saturday after a seven-year absence.
“We’re bringing it back to support Hessler tenants through a celebration of our community traditions, the landmark buildings, and those who live here,” organizers said.
Started in 1969, the street party has filled Hessler Road with music, arts, crafts, poetry and vaudeville shows.
More than that, it’s an easy-come-easy-go vibe and celebration of hippie spirit.
“For decades, Cleveland’s counterculture was centered on Hessler,” says Tim Smith, a musician and activist who lived on the street and was six when it debuted.
“I had a broken pelvis from a car accident so I sat under a tree in our front had a can of magic markers and a pad of paper so I could draw people walking by,” he adds.
They wanted to buy them – and Smith made $50 that day.
He’s worked as a volunteer and vendor and played gigs at the fair for decades.
Hessler transcends nostalgia and time by attracting generations to celebrate a street that still flies the flag. Info.
☮️ What does the Hessler Street Fair returning after seven years mean to Cleveland?
- 🌻 The last genuinely counterculture street fair in the city: nothing else like it exists anywhere in the 216
- 🎨 Tim Smith making $50 drawing people under a tree at age six in 1969: the fair has always made artists
- 🏘 Hessler Road still flying the flag when University Circle has developed all around it: remarkable community resilience
- 🎶 Seven years gone and people still know exactly what it is: that is the definition of a cultural institution
Guardians vs. White Sox: Rest, Pitching, Improved Hitting Give Cleveland the Edge

MLB
October baseball swings into Cleveland. Let’s go.
The Guardians open the ALDS against the White Sox on Saturday at Progressive Field.
KEYS TO THE SERIES:
Pitching: The Guards have the advantage with a better starting rotation and a closer in Cade Smith, whose low ERA and high strikeout rate makes late innings a nightmare for hitters.
Rest: The five days off gives manager Steven Vogt the chance to set up the starting rotation. He’ll send out the aces: Parker Messick on Saturday, Gavin Williams on Monday. Off days between games allow both to start twice in the series.
Hitting: Chicago has the advantage when you look at the season stats. But the teams are closer since August 1: The Sox were fourth in runs scored (254); the Guards improved to sixth (245).
Experience: Chicago last made the playoffs in 2021. Under Vogt, the Guards have been there all three years. Both teams are young, but home-field advantage helps Cleveland’s rookies.
⚾ What gives you the most confidence heading into the Guardians ALDS against Chicago?
- 🔒 Cade Smith in the ninth: zero runs in September and a strikeout rate that makes late innings a nightmare
- 🎯 Parker Messick and Gavin Williams each able to start twice with off days: the rotation is set up perfectly
- 🏟 Home-field advantage with October crowd energy at Progressive Field: the rookies feed off that
- 📈 Outscoring Chicago 245 to 254 since August 1: the offense is closer than the season stats show
Luxe Shutters After 19 Years; Josh Cribbes-backed Sazani Oceana to Close

Luxe brought new life to and ushered in a wave of activity in Gordon Square when it opened in 2007.
The Mediterranean bistro boasted an innovated menu, chic décor and patio full of South Beach vibes without the pretensions.
No more… Luxe has closed.
“Closing Luxe is bittersweet, but we are incredibly proud of what we built and deeply grateful that Cleveland allowed this little restaurant to become part of its story,” said owner Mellissa Cole.
The economy has also claimed Sazani Oceana in Shaker Square.
The upscale seafood restaurant -- a joint venture between Browns legend Josh Cribbs and restaurateur Akin Affrica – will close on Sunday.
“We tried to sustain and started really well,” says Affrica. “But our prices didn’t reflect the current economy, and we didn’t know it would turn the way it did.”
🍽 What does losing both Luxe and Sazani Oceana tell you about Cleveland's restaurant economy right now?
- 😢 Luxe opening Gordon Square in 2007 and then closing 19 years later: that is a genuine community loss
- 💸 "Our prices didn't reflect the current economy": inflation and rate pressure are ending restaurants that did everything right
- 🏘 Gordon Square losing Luxe is the same story as downtown losing Heinen's: the economy is reshaping Cleveland's best neighborhoods
- 🤔 Independent upscale dining is the hardest category right now: the middle of the market is getting squeezed from both ends
The 216 Rundown
Here Comes the Weekend: A Six-Pack of Events
FRIDAY
MIX: Noche de Ritmos: The CMA monthly party celebrates Latin Heritage Month with Latin Fusion Band Son Gitano and themed drinks and food. 6 p.m. Info.
Cleveland Monsters: They open the season against Grand Rapids at 7 p.m. and again at 3 p.m. Sunday. Hey, it’s also 10th anniversary of the last time they won the Calder Cup. Info.
Marcus D. Wiley: The son of a preacher went viral with hit special “Marriage is Major Surgery” (produced by Ali Siddiq). He hits Funny Bone at 7 & 9:30. Also performs Saturday. Info.
SATURDAY
Cleveland Pickle Fest: Lovers of little cucumbers will savor the brine at this bash – which rolls out area restaurants displaying their wonders and music. 11 a.m. at Mall C. Info.
Ohio City Oktoberfest: Steins of beer will click amid the bands, food, vendors and games in Market Square. Noon. Info.
SUNDAY
Trinity Cathedral Tour: Explore one of Cleveland’s architectural treasures beloved for its stained-glass windows, sacred art and history. 12:30 p.m. Info.
🔥 Today’s Hot Property
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NOTES ON A COCKTAIL NAPKIN
Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Photos courtesy Cleveland Browns
Browns Refuse to Fold, Rally Past Steelers for Statement Win
The start was a disaster.
A three-and-out by the offense and the Steelers going on a 17-play, nine-plus minute TD drive aided by endless penalties.
In the past, the Browns would’ve folded.
But this team hung tough to defeat Pittsburgh on a 56-yard field goal off the strong leg of Andre Szmyt.
This is a different team, and not just because they’re 3-1 and in first place in the North:
Great rebound after a disastrous 1st quarter.
They were one of three teams in the NFL without a rushing TD in the first three games. They had two on consecutive drives.
They lost Mason Graham to injury, but the defensive line harassed Aaron Rogers the entire game.
The balloon would’ve deflated after the Steelers tied the game with 1:42 left.
Deshaun Watson did what few QBs have done in recent years: Lead the Browns for a game-winning drive.
3-1 — can you believe it?
VINTAGE CLEVELAND
The front page of The Plain Dealer after the Cleveland Indians won the 1920 World Series -- a best-of-nine championship where they defeated the Brooklyn Robins to win their first title in franchise history.

Cleveland Public Library
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Extra Sprinkles
WEATHER
Friday, October 2
66 °F 🌡️ 53 °F | 🌧️➡️⛅ (AM Rain) | 99% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 14 mph N (≈ 12 knots)
Saturday, October 3
64 °F 🌡️ 50 °F | ☀️ (Sunny) | 4% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 12 mph NE (≈ 10 knots)
Sunday, October 4
67 °F 🌡️ 55 °F | ☀️ (Sunny) | 6% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 9 mph WSW (≈ 8 knots)
Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.
Live Shows in the 216
Top Shows on Friday, October 2
Nevertel, Rivals, Ocean Sleeper — Grog Shop, 7 PM
Pete Revello — Hilarities (Frolic Room), 6:30 & 9:15 PM
Triflin, Entombed by Silence, Slug Dealer, Pooch — Beachland Tavern, 6:30 PM
Top Shows on Saturday, October 3
King 810 — Foundry Concert Club, 1:30 PM
Nevertel, Rivals, Ocean Sleeper — Grog Shop, 7 PM
Slothrust: The Dystopian Theatre Tour w/ The Velveteers, Pretty Pretty Awful — Beachland Ballroom, 7 PM
Top Shows on Sunday, October 4
Upon Your Dead Body w/ When The Sun Sets, Rematch — Beachland Tavern, 7 PM
Robin Trower — Northfield Park — 7:30 PM
The 216 Sports Area
Upcoming Games
Guardians
Home vs. HOU/CWS, TBD October 3 (Saturday) — ALDS Game 1
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