🧀Meltdowns, Tributes & Free Music: Cleveland’s 2025 is Heating Up!

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In today’s 216 Scoop Edition: 

• Meltdown: Cleveland grilled-cheese chain closes last location

• Frommer’s: Cuyahoga Valley National Park makes ‘Best Places to go in 2025’ guide

• Bearden’s buys former Buca di Beppo spot; mum on ‘secret’ plans

• Tributemania! Tributes to Kiss, Pink Floyd, Van Halen, Tom Petty invade Cleveland

• Mahall’s enters ’25 on a cheery note: K pop

• Grog Shop gives the gift of music with ‘Free Weekend’

by John Petkovic, Mark Espinosa, Victor Takakura

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IN THE NEWS

Meltdown: Cleveland grilled-cheese chain closes last location

When it opened in 2006, Melt Bar and Grilled seemed destined for unlimited growth. Its Lakewood location was riding a national wave of eateries reinventing comfort food – in this case, creative takes on grilled cheese sandwiches.

Founded by Cleveland musician Matt Fish, the restaurant and bar boasted a cool, unpretentious vibe, with menus glued to the back of old albums and a clientele that loved music as much as food.

It was profiled on food shows such as “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and became a destination for foodies and tourists. The Parmageddon (a massive grilled-cheese sandwich that included Old World staples such as sauerkraut and pierogi) was named best ballpark food by USA Today.

Melt became the most popular local chain in the area, expanding to 13 locations and eyeing markets around the country.

But things started coming apart when changing trends, the pandemic and economics conspired against Melt. By June of last year, Fish was forced to close 12 locations and file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

On Sunday, in a post on Facebook, he announced the closing of its flagship location.

“The process to save Melt Bar and Grilled started in 2020. The world and the restaurant/service industry changed drastically during the pandemic. Hundreds of difficult decisions and countless efforts were made to put the company in a position to survive and thrive. Unfortunately, these determined efforts were not enough to save the company,” he wrote.

Even the re-launched Lakewood location became economically untenable. In his announcement, Fish reflected on the journey and thanked those that accompanied him on it:

“Today is a very sad day for me both personally and professionally. What started as random ideas on a piece of notebook paper turned into nearly two decades of a very successful business. Thank you to the millions of guests who have supported us over the last 18 years. I feel we provided a very fun, unique, consistent and delicious experience during our lifetime.”

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Frommer’s: Cuyahoga Valley National Park one of ‘Best Places to Go in 2025’

Twenty miles south of Downtown Cleveland might not seem as exotic as Crete or Madagascar or the Marshall Island – or even Osaka, Zambia or South Tyrol.

But the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a gem of natural beauty and one of the top destinations for 2025, according to Frommer’s. The travel guide raves about the park in its Best Places to go in 2025 guide.

“With its gorgeous waterfalls (like Brandywine Falls), thick forests, paddle-friendly Cuyahoga River, historical landmarks, and more than 140 miles of trails, Ohio’s only national park often lands on lists of underrated federal preserves. But word is clearly spreading: The site attracted nearly 3 million visitors in 2023. You can hike, bike, kayak, take a scenic train ride, spot 250 bird species, and even visit a farm or winery within park boundaries.”

It chose the CVNP because the national park turned 50 at the end of ‘24 – a milestone that will be celebrated throughout this year. (It was established as a national recreation area in ’74 and became a national park in 2000.)

Frommer’s writes: “All year long, golden anniversary events such as lectures, concerts, and art exhibits will showcase previously untold stories—ranging from the valley’s Native American heritage to the pioneering women who helped shape the region—as well as the ways the landscape has inspired local artists and musicians.”

Bearden’s buys former Buca di Beppo spot; mum on ‘secret’ plans

It isn’t just the burgers and shakes. Bearden’s is one of the area’s most beloved eateries because of the memories it conjures.

Since 1948, the Rocky River institution, 19985 Lake Rd, Rocky River, has brought together generations of families with its food, vintage car nights and parties.

Well, it looks like Bearden’s is ready to start creating a whole new set of memories. Its ownership team has purchased the former location of Buca di Beppo, 23575 Detroit Road, in Westlake.

(Buca closed in August ’23 – a year before the Orlando-based chain known for its family-style Italian food and kitschy décor filed for bankruptcy.)

Bearden management calls plans for the location a “secret.” But it is inviting the public to the site on Feb. 1 (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) for a sale of wall décor, to raise money to buy a new train for Bearden’s.

Now’s your chance to renovate your house in the style of Buca.

The 216 Digest

Touring acts out; tribute bands take over

It’s cold and snowy around the country and touring and record-release schedules have ground to a halt. You know what that means: It’s that time of the year when tribute bands make bank. This week brings a variety of bands paying homage to the classic-rock stars. Many of them have become big draws in their own right:

Wish You Were Here at the Agora, 5000 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland: The pre-eminent Pink Floyd tribute act enters its 30th year and will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the album it takes its name from when it brings its theatrical stage and light show, deep catalog of songs and inflatables to the Agora on Friday and Saturday. Doors 7 p.m., show at 8.

Strutter at the Winchester, 12112 Madison Avenue, Lakewood: The top Kiss tribute band in the country has played more than 3,000 shows, while dressing like Gene, Paul, Ace and Peter, spitting blood and blowing fire – and it’s from Cleveland. Strutter. Friday 8 p.m.

Panama at the Local Bar, 14754 Pearl Road, Strongville: The Van Halen tribute band’s homage to the first incarnation of the band (pre-1985) and its marathon four-hour shows have become a popular attraction in the Midwest. 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Tribute Band Weekend at the Music Box, 1148 Main Street, Cleveland: The West Bank Flats club is like a virtual classic rock hall of fame this weekend. On Friday it will host Shadow of a Doubt: A Tribute to Tom Petty in the Supper Club and Time Traveler: A Moody Blues Tribute in the Concert Hall (both shows at 7:30 p.m.). On Saturday, it’s a Santana Tribute by the Evil Ways Band in the Supper Club (8 p.m.). And then on Sunday, it’s the Elton John Tribute Brunch with Tommy Lee Thompson in the Supper Club (noon).

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NOTES ON A COCKTAIL NAPKIN!

SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT, & CULTURE

Grog Shop gives the gift of music

The Grog Shop has delivered a late Christmas gift. Bring on the Grog Shop Free Weekend: Three shows featuring local and regional acts and it’s free to get in. On Friday, it’s the jamming rock of Liquid Images, with Louse (from Cincinnati) and PIZZ. (9 p.m.) On Saturday, the hardcore punks take over with Punching Moses, Axioma and Nuclae. (9 p.m.) Sunday, it’s a night of sonic explorations, grooves and funky beats with OG Vern, Armand Rashad, King Space and Clechay. (8 p.m.)

Mahall’s enters ‘25 on a cheery note: K-Pop

Mahall’s run of creative themes keeps on going. The club in the bowling alley, 13200 Madison Avenue, Lakewood is starting 2025 on a cheery note: Rock With You, K Pop Dance Party. It features performers, vendors and DJs spinning K-pop tunes. 8 p.m. Friday.

VINTAGE CLEVELAND

A late-1800s photo of Standard Oil Corporation.

While industrialists like John D. Rockefeller fueled Cleveland's industrial boom, they also contributed to the pollution of the Cuyahoga River. Thankfully, the pollution is long gone and the river is now celebrated for its miraculous comeback — one that has made it a magnet for leisure activities and entertainment.

And don’t forget! Tag @LiveMusicInCleveland or @The216Scoop to get your photos in the Scoop!

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WEATHER

Friday

32°F 🌡️ 25°F | ❄️ | 80% | 💨 W 15 mph (13 knots)

Saturday

28°F 🌡️ 23°F | ❄️ | 70% | 💨 W 18 mph (16 knots)

Sunday

30°F 🌡️ 24°F | ❄️ | 60% | 💨 NW 12 mph (10 knots)

Live Music in the 216

Wednesday

No live performances scheduled.

Thursday

The Jobs | The Treelawn | 7:30 PM

Friday

Brothers Lounge | Andy Lang + St. Thomas Collective + Wylie Green | 8 PM

Back Stage Bar | Grunge DNA | 8:30 PM

Grog Shop | Liquid Images + Louse + Pizz | 8 PM

For tickets and more information visit: livemusicincleveland.com

The 216 Sports Arena

Upcoming Games

Cavaliers
Away vs. Dallas Mavericks, 8:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 3
Home vs. Charlotte Hornets, 6 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 5

Cleveland Charge
Home vs. Capital City Go-Go, 4 p.m., Friday, Jan. 3

Thanks for reading The 216 Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who went to the Cleveland Museum of Art recently.

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