Representing the vibrant and diverse neighborhoods of Shaker Square, Larchmere, CHALK, Ludlow, and Drexmore/Chadbourne.

Keeping You Informed

Area Events

Shaker Square and Larchmere Welcome Bianca Butts to the Neighborhood

Burton Bell Carr Development Inc. (BBC) is officially up and running in the Shaker Square and Larchmere neighborhoods.

Bianca Butts was hired to be the Neighborhood Services Coordinator

for Shaker Square and Larchmere, a position that was created

when BBC became the representative CDC in Fall 2019. In this

role she is tasked with engaging with community members

to identify their needs and to implement necessary programs

and resources for the neighborhood.

“I believe in this community. I believe in the people,” expressed

Butts, who lives on Buckingham Road near Our Lady of Peace

and grew up in neighboring Buckeye.

After a stint in finance, Butts finally decided to pursue her passion

for non-profits and community development. She began her community work at East End Neighborhood House and moved to Cleveland Neighborhood Progress working in environmental justice. She eventually began a consulting career working with Neighborhood Connections and assisted with the community survey process gauging interest in expanding BBC to Shaker Square and Larchmere.

Being a part of that conversation with citizens wasn’t just a professional matter. “I was personally invested,” she said.

Before COVID-19, Butts was actively holding meetings with individual community members and community associations to “check that pulse” and “get acquainted with understanding their wants, needs and desires.”

Now with social distancing, BBC is finding new ways to connect with community members. On April 29 BBC held its first virtual community meeting. Butts, too, is holding virtual meetings with community groups and virtual “coffee dates” with citizens who want to stay engaged. She also hopes to build a deeper connection with SHAD, viewing it as a valuable resource.

“I hope to have a more personal relationship [with SHAD],” expressed Butts.

Going forward, Butts said that one of her main tasks is to ensure more resident perspectives and voices are heard in the engagement process throughout the entire community regarding the re-development of Shaker Square. She said that BBC found that not enough people have all the facts to proceed with the project, and that more conversations needs to be had to help inform the final plan.

“I feel that more of the community wants to understand the project, process and want their voices included along the journey,” said Butts.

Butts hopes to increase two-way communication with community members and encourages people to share their perspectives. To set up a time to chat with her or invite her to a community meeting email her at bbutts@bbcdevelopment.org.

Burton Bell Carr Distributes Free Meals to Community     

With so many hit hard by the current crisis, Burton Bell Carr Development Inc. has partnered with MyComm, Paramount Advantage and The Learning Center to provide free meals to the community.

According to BBC Neighborhood Services Coordinator Bianca Butts, “the hot meals are meant to offer a supplemental meal to offer  as an additional form of support to residents in need.” The organization is noticing that senior citizens and youth are utilizing this meal service more but it’s open to anyone in need.

The location of the meal distribution and the meal provider changes from week to week. For times and locations of upcoming meal distributions visit bbcdevelopment.org.

To volunteer to assist in meal distribution or if you’re a local entrepreneur who’s interested in donating meals, contact Bianca Butts at bbutts@bbcdevelopment.org. Volunteers must be willing to comply with safety protocols.​

​Pre-order for the 21st Annual Larchmere Community Plant Sale
As always, pre-order by Friday, May 1 to receive a 10% discount. New, and in honor of 2020, first time pre-orderers will receive an additional $2.20 off orders over $20.20.

What better time to beautify your surroundings and grow locally sourced plants, fruits, veggies, flowers and herbs than during these challenging, Covid-19, stay-at-home, physical distancing times?! 

Your pre-ordered plants will be available May 9/Mother’s Day Weekend. Delivery within 3 miles is available if using check/cash or if pre-paying. Credit cards/PayPal may be used at the pick-up location on Larchmere (details will be included with your pre-order confirmation). Let us adapt and be flexible to the current adjustments of our country and world, in respect to our community health.

For more information, forms or to contribute your time/talents: larchmereplantsale@ameritech.net or call/text 216.269.9060

To fill out digitally, download this Plant Sale Form and open it in Adobe Reader to complete the form. Be sure to save, then attach it to an email to Larchmereplantsale@ameritech.net  Or, print and complete by hand, then scan to email it, snail mail, or drop it off.

​​​Shaker Square Neighborhood Restaurants are Open, Offer Expanded Service! 

If you’re looking for a change of pace, or just don’t want to prepare a meal, here’s a list of neighborhood restaurants - from A to Z - offering take-out, curbside service or delivery for everyone’s safety during COVID-19 stay-at-home measures. Just check the menus and hours at restaurants’ websites or Facebook pages in advance, then call or place your order online. All numbers below are in the 216 area code, unless indicated otherwise.

Thank you for supporting our local restaurants, bakeries and other eateries, especially during this difficult time. They’re the best in town!

• Academy Tavern, 229-1111, academytavernlarchmere.com , Facebook. Carry- out/curbside.
• Baba Yaga’s Greenhouse Café (vegan), 419.515.4217, babayagacleveland@gmail.com, Facebook. Carry-out.
• Balaton, 921-9691, balaton-restaurant.com , Facebook. Carry-out/curbside, delivery.
  
• Barroco, 938.9301, barrocoarepabar.com , Facebook. Carry-out/curbside, delivery.
• Big Al’s Diner, 791.8550, bigalscleveland.com , Facebook. Carry-out. Breakfast/brunch, closes 2:30 p.m.
• Davita’s Deli and Beverage, 721.0220. Carry-out.
• Edwin’s Restaurant and Leadership Institute, 921.3333, edwinsrestaurant.org , Facebook. Carry-out/curbside, delivery. Check website for hours, daily menu & specials (4 meals for $40).
• Edwin’s Bakery, Buckeye Road, 675.0896, edwinsrestaurant.org , Facebook. Carry-out/curbside, delivery. Call or check website for hours.
• Edwin’s Butcher Shop, Buckeye Road, 417.1100, edwinsrestaurant.org , Facebook. Carry-out/curbside, delivery. Check website for hours and daily menus.
• Felice​, 216.791.0918, feliceurbancafe.com, Curbside Pick Up/ Delivery
  
• Larchmere Tavern & Fredo’s Pizza, 721.1111, larchmere.com , Facebook. Carry-out..
• Michael’s Diner, 752.0052, Facebook. Carry-out.
• Sasa, 767.1111, sasacleveland.com , Facebook. Carry-out/ curbside, delivery.
• The 3 Aprons, 810.6111, the3aprons.com , Facebook. Curbside pick-up.
• Yours Truly, 751.8646, ytr.com , Facebook. Closes 3:00 p.m. Carry-out/curbside, delivery.
• Zanzibar Soul Fusion, 752.1035, zanzibarohio.com , Facebook. Order online. Carry-out/curbside, delivery.

Shaker Square Sale on Hold as Businesses Voice Concerns
If Shaker Square is ever going to get a facelift, it appears it will have to wait a bit longer. Plans for a much discussed renovation to the historic Cleveland shopping district are on hold after residents and merchants voiced their concerns over the plans to redevelop and improve the area. Shaker Square, which is owned by the Coral Company, was effectively taken off the market late last year after being up for sale as recently as November. For more information, go to page 1 of The SHAD Connection.

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area development corporation

SHAKER SQUARE