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Sports Trades, Betting Crackdown & Shaker Square Comeback— The Scoop!
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Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop, the newsletter buzzing with Browns & Cavs trade rumors, Mike DeWine’s big crackdown, Shaker Square’s big comeback, must-see spots and horror parties..🚋🍝🌅
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In today’s 216 Scoop Edition:
Trade winds are blowing through the Cleveland sports scene
Mike DeWine cracks down on sports betting, weed and smoking in new budget
Shaker Square comeback: New eateries and a neighborhood makeover
Year of the Snake: 15 must-visit spots in AsiaTown
Egads, Midnight Rental celebrates two years of movie madness at Grog Shop
John Petkovic, Mark Espinosa, Victor Takakura
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IN THE NEWS
Trade winds are blowing through Cleveland sports scene
Photo courtesy Cleveland Browns
Myles Garrett has demanded a trade and the NBA trade deadline is Thursday. The Browns and Cavs are dealing with limited options, given their financial situations. Both will have to get creative to get something done.
Here are the issues
Browns: The team is about $34 million over the NFL salary cap, due to Deshaun Watson’s bloated contract. It was planning on restructuring and extending contracts, including Garrett’s, by March 12, to give it financial flexibility to make moves in the off-season.
Garrett’s demand complicates that. They would likely have to restructure his contract before they could trade him – and find a team with cap space that could afford him.
It would probably mean dealing him to teams like New England, Houston or Washington, which have cap space because their quarterbacks have yet to sign massive contracts.
The Browns could also choose to keep Garrett, as they have said. But would he hold out and not play for the team? Even if he honored his contract, would he agree to restructure it to help the Browns get under the salary cap?
Garrett says he wants to play in a Super Bowl, which gives the Browns some leverage. They could always trade him to a bad team. But the team’s financial status has put it in a bind.
Cavs: The team would like to add an athletic wing who can shoot, run the floor and play defense. They would love Brooklyn Net Cam Johnson. But the Cavs have limited assets: a 2031 first-round pick, six second-rounder picks through 2029 and 2024, and some combination of players such as Jaylon Tyson, Caris Levert, Isaac Okoro, Georges Niang.
If that isn’t enough, they could also look to sign players that are bought out by their teams after the trade deadline – like Ben Simmons of the Nets or Lonzo Ball of the Chicago Bulls.
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Mike DeWine cracks down on sports betting, weed and smoking in new budget
Mike DeWine is no fan of sports betting, weed, smoking and vaping. The Ohio Governor just rolled out a new two-year state budget that proposes substantial taxes increases on all four:
Sports gambling: DeWine’s $218 billion budget calls for a doubling of the tax from 20% to 40%. In 2023, Ohio raised the tax from 10% to 20%. It would amount to a 400% increase over two years – and would make Ohio one of the most unfriendly sports gambling states in the country. The expected increases in revenue would help fund sports facilities, like the planned Cleveland Browns stadium project.
“This proposal will inevitably create worse products for customers, de-incentivise investment through sportsbooks’ community partners and leave far less funding for future responsible gaming initiatives,” says Scott Ward, vice-president of Sports Betting Alliance, which represents operators such as BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics and FanDuel.
(At this rate, the tax would be 640% in eight years.)
Marijuana: DeWine has proposed doubling the tax on it from 10 % to 20%. In 2023, voters passed Issue 2, which legalized weed.
Smoking: DeWine has also proposed raising cigarette taxes by $1.50, from $1.60 per pack to $3.10 and increasing taxes on vape products from 17% to 42%.
DeWine claims the proposed $218 billion budget would fully fund public education by providing tax credits for parents and access to literacy, vision care and childcare -- and fund a $5,000 college scholarship to the top 5% of each high school graduating class. The final budget is due July 1.
Shaker Square plots comeback with new eateries, neighborhood makeover
Photos courtesy Shaker Square
As we reported, Shaker Square was dealt a body blow when Brandon Chrostowski announced that he was moving his Edwins and Edwins Too out of the neighborhood and into the former home of Nighttown.
The iconic shopping and dining district is moving on with high hopes, thanks to the imminent opening of two new eateries:
Café Indigo: The new project by Melissa Hirsch, owner of Unbar Café on Larchmere will serve coffee, pastries, ice cream, soups, sandwiches and salads. It will also double as a meeting space by hosting events. Café Indigo will open this month in the old Dewey’s location.
Coyoacan: Reynaldo Galindo is getting ready to open a Mexican restaurant in the former Balaton space. He’s the son of Maria de la Luz Galindo, owner of Luchita’s, which closed in 2022. Come March, you can relive the taste of the beloved West Side eatery. Coyoacan will feature two distinct areas. One is a sit-down section called “La Casa de Luchitas,” which boasts a menu similar and spirit of Luchita’s. Then there’s the Coyoacan Taqueria -- a microbrewery that specializes in Mexican-style beers and takes a fast-casual approach to tacos, burritos and bowls.
There are other developments brewing.
Cleveland Neighborhood Progress has unveiled a “vision plan” that foresees 170 units of new housing around Shaker Square.
The non-profit, which has invested $6 million in the area since taking it over in 2022, also wants to improve outdoor amenities by redesigning the green space to accommodate tables, a stage, a playground and more events. It also plans to renovate Dave’s Market and add signing and lighting to the area.
In the last five years, Shaker Square has lost prized tenants and has been confronted with issues such as crime and vacancies. But Shaker Square is counting on a comeback that starts with Blue Indigo and Coyoacan.
The 216 Rundown
Photos by John Petkovic
Year of the Snake: 15 must-visit spots in AsiaTown
It’s the Year of the Snake and Lunar New Year offers a fine time to explore AsiaTown’s more than three dozen eateries, markets and shops. It is one of the area's most vibrant dining districts and culturally unique destinations. Here are 15:
Asia Plaza: The center of life in AsiaTown and home to eateries, markets and shops.
Asian Town Center: The sprawling mall is home to eateries and Asia Food Co., which redefines "eye candy" with its colorful packages
Ball Ball Waffle: Delicious bubble waffles made out of egg batter that are soft on the inside and crisp on the outside and served with sweet or savory toppings.
Bo Loong: Long-running spot renowned for its dim sum and colorful décor.
Galaxy Karaoke Bar: Sleek karaoke bar brings a late-night energy karaoke to the neighborhood.
Good Harvest Foods Market: Tiny Chinese market filled with food, snacks and knick-knacks.
Koko Bakery: Colorful bakery with tasty array of Asian buns, pastries and bubble teas.
LJ Shanghai: Wide array of noodle bowls.
Li Wah: The popular restaurant will host a number of New Year's celebrations.
Map of Thailand: Trendy take on Thai in stylish setting.
Miega Korean BBQ: Cool décor, chic vibe, generous portions – and the menu is diverse and unique..
No. 1 Pho: Vietnamese staples in a modern setting.
Park to Shop: Rows and stacks of colorful packaging, but it's a full-on market with fish and fowl hanging in the back.
Superior Pho: Stellar pho and huge portions in a tucked-away setting.
Szechuan Gourmet: Tucked-away Chinese eatery serves inventive meat and vegetarian dishes.
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NOTES ON A COCKTAIL NAPKIN
Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
Lenora, host of Midnight Rental. Photo courtesy Midnight Rental
Egads, Midnight Rental celebrates two years of movie madness at Grog Shop
Summon the monsters, slashers and freaks. Yup, you got it… Midnight Rental.
At 8 p.m. tonight, the popular cult movie series will celebrate its two-year anniversary at the Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard, Cleveland Heights.
Hosted by Lenora from Internet hit series “Midnight Rental,” it features an array of twisted flicks, cheapjack clips and all-around horror hilarity.
The event starts with a special secret screening and rolls out popcorn, candy, chips and pizza rolls. Admission $10.
VINTAGE CLEVELAND
The Colony Theater was a pillar of Shaker Square – and one of Cleveland’s premier movie houses -- for decades. Opened in 1937, it was designed for Warner Bros. and brought architectural style to the neighborhood: a Georgian theme on the outside and an interior that featured Italian marble and bakelite and Art Deco flair. The Colony ended up closing in 1979. Local activists saved it from the wrecking ball and kept it going through the ‘80s. It was converted into a multiplex in 1992. It’s still going – currently as an Atlas Theater.
Cleveland Memory Project.
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WEATHER
Wednesday
33°F 🌡️ 30°F | ❄️ | 80% | 💨 SW 10 mph (9 knots)
Thursday
44°F 🌡️ 25°F | 🌧️ | 60% | 💨 SW 12 mph (10 knots)
Friday
31°F 🌡️ 25°F | ⛅ | 20% | 💨 NW 15 mph (13 knots)
Note: This forecast is based on data from weather.com.
Live Shows in the 216
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Friday - 02/07
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Upcoming Games
Cavaliers
Away vs. Detroit Pistons, 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb.
Away vs. Washington Wizards, 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 7
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