“Sterle’s is not closing,” explains chef Natasha Pogrebinsky. “We are rebranding and focusing more on large groups and private events. Just because we are not going to be open for public dinners, it’s not like the restaurant is going to be torn down.”
The chef stresses that the intent was never to shock and sadden the community with the sudden news. The shift away from public dining to private dining just made sense, she says.
“We grew more into an event space,” she adds. “This way we can keep the restaurant alive, keep the food and traditions alive, just in a different capacity. This Cleveland treasure is being cared for.”
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Original story:
It’s the end of the line for another Cleveland landmark. After more than six decades, Sterle’s Country House will close, according to owner Rick Semersky.
Semersky took over the business, formerly Sterle’s Slovenian Country House, in 2012. He has since worked tirelessly to make the restaurant relevant to today’s younger dining clientele by tweaking the menu and concept. Apparently, those efforts have not been enough to buoy the operation.
Semersky added the casual Cafe 55 to the complex a couple of years ago and last year debuted Goldhorn Brewery. Hub 55, a multi-dimensional entrepreneurial endeavor at the same site, will continue.
Going forward, Sterle’s will be used solely for private events.
Here’s the official statement:
“Dear friends, family, and community! We want to thank you for the many decades of support. You have been a part of our family and hearts as much as we have been a part of yours. Although we will be discontinuing our dinner programs, we are happy to announce a new era for Sterle’s. Due to massive popular demand, we will be re-branding as a full-time events and catering venue. We are excited to host your next party, celebrations, or event, family or business, we accommodate all requests. Our Executive Chef Natasha Pogrebinsky will continue to host regular Chef’s Dinners, for all you dieheart fans of Sterle’s food, stay tuned for more info on that. In the mean time, come see us at Cafe55 and Goldhorn Brewery, just next door, where Chef Pogrebinsky and the dedicated Hub55 Team are cooking up fresh, and delicious meals everyday. This is not goodbye, rather a new and exciting beginning!”
This article appears in Jun 21-27, 2017.
CAN’T DELETE THIS POST Rick Semersky!! LET ME SHARE!! These A-holes took a reservation for 16 to celebrate my Mother’s 75th birthday and never showed up to open the restaurant!! YOU P O S!!
Took a solid established place, tried to yuppie it up, and ruined it.
Loser!
This makes me sad. The food and service have gone downhill ever since the new owner took over.
Sterle’s was a great place but when the neighborhood changes the cliental changes so the business has to change not all for the better.
Always sad to read of such an icon going down. I’ve never met the owner, but
he was nothing if not gallant about trying to make a go of it. Iconic nationality places
like that have had a tough go of it, for sure. I hope the rest
of his places there do well.
Quality of food went down, quantity of food went down, price went up. Wasn’t worth the trek anymore. Will stick to the Slovenian Workmen’s Home instead.
“Rebranding”…the most bullshit word used in today’sCleveland food scene. It means “It ain’t really broke but it’s not working the way we like it, so we’re gonna fuck it up some more and REALLY break it, until it’s ruined completely and we don’t have to stay in business anymore.”
Or it just means the same as “Closed For Remodeling”…we’re toast, and we ain’t coming back.
I am so tired of this foodie crap. Thank God there are still some sane old-school businesses like Sokolowski’s left. But as the Brooklynization of Clveland continues, even that may go away one day. Nothing is safe anymore.
Chuckles the Clown
if you don’t open for dinner or lunch you are closed. Whether closed for private party or just closed, it’s still closed. Sad to see it go.