Ohio City

Alaturka on West 25th Street is open for business! Ohio City's New Turkish Restaurant — Alaturka Posted by Douglas Trattner on Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 10:15 AM Like slow-rising pita dough, Alaturka (1917 W. 25th St., 216-298-9001, http://alaturka25.com) has taken its good sweet time to reach completion. It was originally slated to open this past summer. But Ohio City's newest ethnic eatery, a Turkish restaurant, opened this week on W. 25th Street. Operated by Yashar Yildirim, who introduced Clevelanders to Turkish cuisine at Anatolia Café, Alaturka takes over the space formerly occupied by Kan Zaman (which moved down the street)... http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2011/01/26/ohio-citys-new-turkish-restaurant-alaturka

The review panel will consist of some members of OCNW, a representative of Charter One, and some Neighborhood Stakeholders. In the original announcement of the $130,000 Charter One growing communities initiative in September it was stated that there would be a small business development competition, and we have recieved a substantial amount of calls regarding the program in the time since. So there are many businesses that have been aware of the process since that time. We expecect to recieve a multitude of very exciting proposals and we expect the decision making process to be very competetive and exciting. The kitchen incubator study should be complete in the very near future. We will post details as soon as they are available.

There is $40,000 set aside for this program. That money could be divided between 13 businesses or 2 depending on the applications we recieve. While 3 weeks may be a somewhat tight timeline. It should ensure that we recieve well developed concepts from entrepeneurs who have seriosuly been working towards this that simply need the right spot and incentive, both of which we can provide.

Also on cleveland.com Charter One, Ohio City launch small business grant contest Published: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 By Michelle Jarboe, The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Small businesses and entrepreneurs in the area around Cleveland's West Side Market can compete this month for grants of $3,000 to $20,000, through a contest sponsored by Charter One bank. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/01/charter_one_ohio_city_launch_s.html We are incredibly excited to be a part of this momentum building opportunity to bring more LOCAL tenants to our community. We expect to see some very competitive applications.

On a cold and blustery day, work begins on a top to bottom exterior restoration of the All State Barber College Building in the Market District. Work will include tuck pointing of brick, cleaning and restoration of stone work, along with new storefronts and signage. The fire escapes on the western side of the building will also be cleaned, repaired, and painted. This is a $100,000+ investment in the Neighborhood.

Meanwhile on the other side of the Market District work keeps moving along in restoring the storefronts at the former Athens Pastry Building, now a part of MRN's Marketplace development:

and a couple doors down Howard Hanna is completing their expansion into a neighboring storefront.

Work continues at Alaturka it shouldn't be but 2-3 more weeks now until there is Turkish cuisine in Ohio City!

Penzeys Spice in the United Bank Building is NOW OPEN for business. It is in a beautiful space in the former lobby of the bank building which features a glass wall looking into what will be Crop Bistro. 2012 West 25th Street Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 7:00am-6:00pm Tuesday and Thursday 10:00am-6:00pm Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm http://www.penzeys.com/

Work has moved to the exterior on Alaturka, the new Turkish restaurant owned by the owners/operators of the Anatolia Cafe in Cleveland Heights. The entire exterior of the building will be rehabbed. Alaturka expects to be open in approximately 3-4 weeks.

On the SE Corner of Lorain and West 26th. Also, Room Service's new location on W. 25th opens on November 26th. The made in the 216 event will be hosted in the new space this year between 11/26 and 12/24. Details to follow...

yes... and sushi.

After a soft opening tonight, The Dragonfly Lounge at 1865 W. 25th officially opens for business tomorrow. http://www.dragonflycleveland.com/

As part of the $20 million Marketplace Development, the aluminum siding is being removed from the Former Athens Bakery building, and the original storefronts restored.

Ohio City Farm near Cleveland's West Side Market produces a bounty Wednesday, October 13, 2010 Debbi Snook, The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The first harvest is in at Ohio City Farm. What a haul. The simple act of growing food on six vacant acres in Cleveland has indeed been accomplished, thanks to a partnership between a government entity with unused land (Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority), a small neighborhood group with city and private grants (Ohio City Near West Development Corp.) and a young, determined support group with willing workers (the Refugee Response). But in a mere three months -- only half a growing season -- the farm has grown so vigorously, it's much more than a farm. It offers work for both new Americans and longtime Americans, food for customers at fancy restaurants and those who can hardly afford it. The farm is now a brand at the historic West Side Market, an inspiration for public artists, and news at daily newspapers in Boston and Washington, D.C. Read more at: http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2010/10/ohio_city_farm_near_clevelands.html

Physical improvements to the WSM are not a part of the Charter One Initiative. Specifically, the Charter One Growing Communities initiative includes the following: •A small business development competition for start-up grants to help small businesses launch in the neighborhood. •Micro-grants for small businesses including market vendors and urban farmers. • Urban farm development support, including farm stands at the Ohio City Farm and developing vacant properties into small urban farms. •The promotion of local fresh food efforts and sustainability programs. • Nutrition and health education programs for neighborhood residents. • Neighborhood beautification through public art enhancements to the urban farm and to the neighborhood. • Financial literacy and workforce programs. Over the next two years, Charter One will add new programs and grants to support the neighborhood development projects and the 2012 Market Centennial celebration through the Charter One Growing Communities initiative. That being said, obviously capital improvements at the WSM are a key component in preparing for the WSM centennial celebration. The Charter One grant is very big news for the neighborhood. It is also just the beginning for the Market District.

For anyone in OC for lunch next Wednesday (9.29) there will be a major anouncement regarding the market district taking place at Noon from the south produce wing of the West Side Market.