Fri 3/1 @ 6pm
By John Benson
Anyone can have a street walk event when the weather is nice.
But we’re not anyone. We’re Northeast Ohio and that means we do things the hard way. Take for instance the Walk All Over Waterloo event, which takes place Fri 3/1 at 6pm in the Collinwood neighborhood.
A Waterloo Road component that predates Alan Glazen’s “Operation Light Switch” movement, this unique affair finds many businesses opening their doors (figuratively speaking) and encouraging a community feeling.
The Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, which is celebrating its 13th anniversary weekend, has Kent native Jessica Lea Mayfield playing in one room with Athens, Ohio’s Blue Moon Soup in another (cover required), while new establishment the Callaloo Cafe & Bar has a grand opening celebration, and new Blitz BBQ is also open for business. As far as the art scene, Space:ROCK, Waterloo Studios and Gallery, Arts Collinwood, Miller Schneider Gallery and Project Pop Up Galleries all have installations and exhibits for display.
Cool Cleveland talked to Star Pop vintage + modern owner Troy Schwartz about why hopes are high All Over Waterloo will blossom into a regular event.
Cool Cleveland: First of all, describe your vision of All Over Waterloo.
Troy Schwartz: Basically it’s a street walk, and an opportunity for us as a community to get together and sort of showcase everything that’s going on in the strip and sort of line up events that everyone is having the same night and make the most out of it. We’ve been doing it on and off for the last few years. In the past we didn’t have that much to eat so it’s easier to make a full evening out of it now that there are more restaurants. We also had six new businesses open and three new galleries. So, there’s really a lot of new stuff for people to see. We’re definitely looking to have more frequent events. Tentatively we’re thinking the first Friday of the month.
For the past decade the Waterloo Road area has seemingly ebbed and flowed with momentum. Currently with Glazen’s high-profile “Waterloo Operation Light Switch” efforts, does it appear the area is once again on the upswing?
We definitely have a lot of energy and excitement going on with “Waterloo Operation Light Switch.” It has brought a lot of energy to the street, a lot of investments, as well as the ongoing effort of Cindy Barber at the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern. I think with any developing community, we definitely had stores come and go. The only thing that really caused real concern for people was the stability of the Beachland, and it seems like they’re doing better.
Is it safe to say looking ahead things look bright for the Waterloo Road area?
Absolutely. We’re heading towards a $5.5 million streetscape. We’re going to have some construction to get through but it’s exciting to know that the city and federal government are putting a lot of money into making things better here. It’s exciting to see people like Alan Glazan and others that are putting themselves on the line and investing in properties and trying to build businesses. So yeah, I think everyone is very enthusiastic and excited.
Finally, regarding the street walk aspect of All Over Waterloo, you know it’s cold out, right?
It is cold out and that was something of an issue for our event last month, but it’s Cleveland. And the saying goes, “you’ve got to be tough.” So we hope people will brave the cold. Maybe you can get some hot chocolate from Chloe’s Kitchen Diner while you walk down the street.
Be sure to Walk All Over Waterlooo this Fri 3/1 starting at 6pm. http://facbook.com/events.
Freelance writer John Benson spends most of his time writing for various papers throughout Northeast Ohio.
When he’s not writing about music or entertainment, he can be found coaching his two boys in basketball, football and baseball or watching movies with his lovely wife, Maria. John also occasionally writes for CoolCleveland.com.
One Response to “Waterloo Rising”
Pat Nevar
Before you start you WALK, stop by the Slovenian Workmen’s Home for a Fish Fry (other items also on the menu & a cash bar). Dinners served from 3 pm until 8 pm every Friday. Address is 15335 Waterloo Road, phone 216/481-5378.