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🍽️Edwins’ Big Debut—You’re Invited!

🍽️Edwins’ Big Debut—You’re Invited!

February 28, 2025

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Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop. The ‘80s & ‘90s Called—They’re Moving Into the Flats! Cleveland just got a retro glow-up, and we’re here for it. Dust off your boombox and break out the denim—because this weekend, we’re partying like it’s 1999 (literally). 🎶🕺💿

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In today’s 216 Scoop Edition:

Decades dials up the ‘80s and ‘90s for grand opening in Flats
Monsters, polka, beer: It’s Slovenian Mardi Gras
Arthur Treacher’s: Beloved Fish & Chippy to open new location
They can’t wait until Fat Tuesday: Weekend Mardi Gras parties
Edwins’ Grand Opening
Jonathan Richman is hitting the Grog Shop

John Petkovic, Mark Espinosa, Victor Takakura

IN THE NEWS

The Flats is getting ready to party like it’s 1989.

Photos courtesy Decades and East Bank Flats

Decades will make its much-anticipated debut this weekend in the former Big Bang Dueling Pianos Bar. The 1980s and ‘90s style dance club will have a soft opening tonight followed by a grand splash Saturday.

Decades won’t seem new all that new to anyone who partied in the Flats decades ago – back when the Flats was populated by high-energy dance-and-party spots like the Basement or Rumrunners.

The 4,700-square-foot space will roll out big, bold colors and décor to go with a brash lighting and an ‘80s-style dance floor.

Big Bang closed January 18, after a more than nine-year run as an anchor club In the Flats East Bank. Parts of it will live on, however: Decades, which will continue to host dueling piano shows and sing-alongs from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

It’s not the only change on the East Bank.

Hi 5, which operated as a popular Christmas pop-up bar last year, has moved on to another theme: St. Patrick’s Day. It just rolled out ‘Shamrock Shake Cocktails’ and a themed menu.

Hi 5 is one of three clubs – along with Welcome to the Farm and I Hate Cowboys – located in the riverfront buildings that went up for auction last week.

The only offer came from the Cleveland International Fund, the lender on the buildings.

The buildings are only half occupied and underscore challenges faced by the entertainment district in the wake of the 2022 passing of Flats East Bank developer Scott Wolstein, as we reported last week.

Monsters, polka, beer: It’s Slovenian Mardi Gras

Photos by John Petkovic and Cleveland Kurentovanje

Mardi Gras is lurking around the corner and those furry monsters are even closer.

Yup, the Cleveland Kurentovanje Parade is back for a 13th year. The Slovenian Mardi Gras blow-out bash is set to hit St. Clair Avenue at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Organizers expect 60,000-70,000 attendees for one of the city’s most popular and colorful parties – filled with clanging bells, laughs, beer, food, music.

Of course, there are also the stars of the parade: those fuzzy, feisty monsters adored in sheepskin costumes that hop up and down and all around to scare winter away.

The extravaganza starts at the Slovenian National Home, 6417 St. Clair, which will host bands and polkathons and serve food and drinks.

Mmm… shots of slivovica!

The mythological Slovenian creatures, called kurenti, summon magic powers to scare away winter.

But this is more than just a big boo to the cold. It’s also a celebration of ethnic and neighborhood pride.

For more info, go here.

Arthur Treacher’s: Beloved Fish & Chippy to open new location

Photos by John Petkovic, Arthur Treacher’s and Cleveland Memory Project

For decades, generations of Cleveland made the pilgrimage to this beloved restaurant. Yes, they came for the tradition and experience – but also for its fish and chips.

Soon enough, they’ll have another place where they can indulge in the memories and the menu – just in time for fish fry season.

Arthur Treacher’s is set to open its third area location any day now at 13216 Cedar Road, in Cleveland Heights, pending approval from the city.

Founded in Columbus in 1969, the iconic Fish & Chippy had 826 stores around the country and dozens in Ohio during its peak in the 1970s.

It was the go-to place during Lent, during which its Fish and Chips meal was a Friday staple. But changing food trends, rising fish prices and fast-food wars left Arthur Treacher’s on the extinction list.

There were only three locations left – all in Northeast Ohio. Then two. Then one, when the Garfield Heights location closed in 2021.

In stepped George Simon, who re-opened it in 2021 and purchased a second location, in Cuyahoga Falls. He will open No. 3 in a space that once housed, yes, an Arthur Treacher’s from the ‘70s-‘90s. The spot is to-go only, but the recipe is same as it was decades ago.

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The 216 Rundown

They can’t wait until Fat Tuesday

Mardi Gras is Tuesday, but clubs are getting an early start on the debauchery. Here are three spots that can’t wait to party.

Fasching at German Central, 9917 Vienna Drive, Parma: It’s a Bavarian-style Mardi Gras whose roots that go back to the 13th century, when fools were allowed to rule the town. The bash boasts will roll out live music by Gemütlichkeit Cleveländer Musikanten, beer, polka and food. 7 tonight.

Mardi Gras at Twist Social Club, 11633, Clifton Boulevard, Cleveland: The gay dance club is celebrating with beads, beats and bourbon – and is calling on attendees to bring drag energy, don wild get-ups and toast debauchery. 10 p.m. Saturday.

Creole party at Music Box Supper Club, 1148 Main Avenue on the West Bank of the Flats: Zydeco legend C.J. Chenier will lead his Red Hot Louisiana Clayton Band in a Mardi Gras celebration. Themed food options available. 7 p.m. Saturday.

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NOTES ON A COCKTAIL NAPKIN

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Photo courtesy Brandon Chrostowski

4 p.m. Friday

The wait is over. Acclaimed Cleveland chef Brandon Chrostowski is re-opening Edwins in the former home of Nighttown, 12383 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights Jazz pianist Jackie Warren will perform opening night.

7 p.m. Friday

Jonathan Richman, the singer-songwriter and founder of legendary band the Modern Lovers, will bring his witty and iconic songs to the Grog Shop, 2781 Euclid Heights Boulevard, Cleveland Heights.

Central Market on East Fourth, 1946.

It was one of Cleveland's oldest markets – dating back to 1867. Already by 1890, it was declared antiquated – and continued to deteriorate until 1949, when it was destroyed in a fire caused by a gas leak. It re-opened in 1950 as the New Central Market, with 171 stands. By 1981 it had fewer than 40 tenants and was sold to the Greater Cleveland Domed Stadium Corp. in 1986. After the domed stadium plan failed to materialize, the Central Market building was razed and the land became part of the Gateway project.

Photo courtesy Cleveland MemoryProject

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop & @The216ScoopOfficial to get your photos in the Scoop!

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WEATHER

Friday - 02/28
49°F 🌡️ 35°F | 🌨️ | 40% | 💨 W 20 mph (17 knots)

Saturday - 03/01
36°F 🌡️ 19°F | 🌨️ | 40% | 💨 W 20 mph (17 knots)

Sunday - 03/02
40°F 🌡️ 25°F | ☁️ | 20% | 💨 NW 15 mph (13 knots)

Note: This forecast is based on data from weather.com.

Live Shows in the 216

The 216 Sports Area

Upcoming Games

Cavaliers

Away vs. Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28

Home vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 2

Cleveland Monsters

Home vs. Texas Stars, 7:00 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28

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