In the past year alone, West 25th Street in Ohio City has morphed into one of the most desirable dining destinations around, with its main drag now boasting Crop, SOHO, Market Garden Brewery, Bonbon, Bogtrotters, Alaturka, and others.
That growth is also what drew Fabio Salerno to the area. The chef and owner of Lago, Gusto, and Grotto has claimed one of the few vacant spaces and, with a pair of partners in tow, plans to pump $1 million or so into Town Hall in time for a late spring or early summer opening.
“What we’re doing there hasn’t been seen before in Cleveland,” Salerno says of the concept, which he declines to explain in detail. He does note that it’ll be all-organic and focused on sustainability, with meals served morning, noon, and night. And, this being Ohio City, there will also be a lengthy bar specializing in craft beers.
But Salerno’s plans have led residents and businesses to charge that Ohio City is fast becoming Warehouse District West — in a bad way, evidently — and they believe Town Hall will only hasten the decline. Count neighborhood restaurateur Sam McNulty among them.
“I would suggest that anybody who thinks that this is just going to be a restaurant and not a nightclub go to Bobby’s Barley House on a Friday or Saturday night,” McNulty says, noting the West Sixth establishment owned by Bobby George, one of Salerno’s partners.
“The place is a drug-addled punch palace. And he sold the Warehouse District on the fact that it would be an Irish pub and not a nightclub.”
Coming from McNulty — who is related by marriage to Town Hall partner Sean Heineman — those are no idle words.
“This district has thrived on owner-operators who live in and care for this neighborhood,” says McNulty, who owns Bier Markt and Market Garden Brewery. “The last thing we need is someone bringing Barley House to Ohio City. Look what happened with Moda and Envy,” he adds, citing two former clubs notorious for drugs, violence, and other extracurricular fun.
This article appears in Feb 22-28, 2012.
i’ve been to all the block club meetings concerning this group…..most of the negativity that’s been started about this is from McNulty and his camp
Well, considering that this “some” seems to be only Sam McNulty, the man who has four restaurants and bars on the street, I would take his worries with a grain of salt. Of course West 25th has basically already become the new West 6th and we have Sam McNulty to thank for a large part of that. So, it’s a bit ironic. Not that I am not grateful for economic development, but West 25th in not a street where I choose to be on a Friday or Saturday night. When I saw a girl crouch down on the sidewalk to tinkle in her 4″ heels, I knew we were done for. That being said, West 25th is a great place to visit during the day on and on weeknights. Also, many would argue that Ohio City was never a “shitty” neighborhood – the fact that you need a lot of bars and restaurants in order to not be “shitty” is just plain ignorant and annoying. Statements like that are what makes the Scene so often a “shitty” source of information.
Regarding the last line that seems to offend: I think the point there is that people should be happy that there is an entrepreneurial spirit at work…something you really don’t see everyday in thr Cleve…but instead they’re complaining. Trying to protect your niche is a basic mammalian instinct. What separates us from animals is our ability to rise above pure instinct. Clevelanders display this skill intermittently…
To your point though…you’re totally right, lots of bars and restaurants doesn’t necessarily create a good neighborhood/community.
I have been to the Barley House once !!! That was enough to realize the name is a facade for what is really a night club and to that effect I understand McNultys concerns. Does that mean they are going to do that on 25th I guess we won’t know till it happens.
And as far as Salerno statement that “He also admits to being cagey with details only to ensure that he’s the first to pull off the concept” I hope the concept he is referring to is not “a lengthy bar specializing in craft beers” It has already been done…. Tremont Tap House & a couple others.
Is this going to be in the “Grind” building? There are not many empty spaces on W. 25th, I’m trying to imagine where this is going
how original craft beers, that isn’t being done on the street. i hope the city blocks this, if you can’t give the details as to what you are doing then odds are you trying to do something shady, from what I hear odds are that isn’t too far from the truth.
@ Sam Bell…….it’s a small space where a Ohio City Blooms used to be…..it’s located adjacent to Howard Hanna Real Estate
Thanks!
That was the other space I was thinking it might be
and they left this out……MORE TO COME: Perhaps you read about the kerfuffle over Fabio Salerno’s planned Ohio City restaurant in Scene & Heard. But he has other irons in the fire too. The chef-restaurateur is presently at work planning a new menu and interior for Detroit Shoreway’s Reddstone, which he purchased last year. Also on tap is a downtown Cleveland location for Ballantine, business partner Sean Heineman’s popular Willoughby gastropub.
I think it’s a shame that McNulty feels the need to speak poorly about other establishments. Barley House is successful and regardless of what a pathetic person has to say everyone that goes there enjoys themselves and that is why we have remained a favorite spot. Who cares if we’re not blaring Irish music and it’s a night club. Clearly that’s what the people want or they wouldn’t be coming back. So McNulty can shove it.
Sam is all good in my book, and if he’s concerned, so am I. He pioneered West 25 as an entertainment destination, and we at the ABC are appreciative of his efforts. I’m glad he spoke up—you can never be too vigilant when it comes to these matters. Truly, the last thing we need is another bar—we need to round off the street and make sure it serves all.
All of the Chef, Spirits, entertainment people I know and care for in Cleveland are supportive of there peers. They all want EVERYONE to succeed….therefore, on its’ face, this business group needs to take a lesson: this is the Cle…we are about growth, but growth with respect, team spirit and community, not selfish concern.
clevelandamuseing, i agree, everyone wants businesses to succeed, they don’t want empty store fronts, but the point that is trying to be made is that don’t want businesses like the old Moda back on the street. talk to the other business owners on the street, they all know salerno and his reputation,and that is what the street is defending against, bad business owners and bad practices.
@ apenko…yeah Lago, Gusto! and Grotto are really bad establishments…..so bad he’s partnered in this venture plus Reddstone in Detroit Shoreway, in which the residents are looking forward to………like someone stated before McNulty is just worried about someone else taking a chunk of business from him
SG – the restaurant’s sit empty 80% of the time and being in the industry people talk, checks that cant be cashed or are returned constantly all sound like a poorly run business to me. i hope the bar or restaurant, whatever it is does good and it doesn’t hurt the other businesses in the area
5 and 6 dollar beers if not more. Hamburgers that cost 10 bucks. Little Boys and Girls that attempt to speak as though they are “sophisticated” yet have their heads up the nether regions. Spending all Mom and Dads money and or using their Parents Credit Cards (same difference in the end, Mom and Dad pay) to act rich and independant. Nope, I’ll grab some ground beef from my local grocery store, buy a 12 pack and either sit at home with my family where Techno Crap music is assaulting my ear drums along with the constant fuck, fuck, fuck in every other word from the “sophisticates” or go in my back yard and char a few.
and for any “sophisticate” that wishes to point out I cant sit in my yard in Cleveland in winter, guess what dummy ? I have a tent with a heater and I hunt, fish ,camp out year round.
Greased Monkey, you seem a bit judgmental considering the fact that you clearly did not proofread your comment. Anyway, Gusto, Grotto and Lago all have delicious food, which if you don’t appreciate or want to pay for, then of course you are welcome to sit in your tent and eat a charred burger. I have never once gone into Gusto, Grotto or Lago and heard Techo Crap blaring, I’ve always had extremely pleasant experiences with the atmosphere, service, and particularly, the food. I know they do have DJ’s on certain nights, but again you can certainly avoid that if you don’t want to be there for that particular evening. To me it sounds like McNulty is threatened that he will lose business, and a smear campaign is an easy way to go when you’re afraid of a little competition. All three of Salerno’s restaurants are clean and, yes somewhat pricey, but that certainly won’t draw in a punch-palace PBR crowd if that’s the concern. I’d much rather see Salerno putting together a Gusto-esque restaurant than another famous chef, to be honest. And as far as the industry talk goes, apenko, I’m not sure why that offends you if you don’t work there, and an additional restaurant to the W25th area (as long as it isn’t a club, I agree) will only add to a growing cultural district in our city.
“shitty” neighborhood? you know what a “shitty” neighborhood is? one which the cops have to close off and lock down every weekend night because of drunk assholes that piss shit puke and bleed on the sidewalk. a lot like W. 6th and the Flats. some of us actually live here and don’t need another bar or more parking lots.
I was under the impression that a “shitty” neighborhood is one where everything is vacant and boarded up. Isn’t a new, competing business a good idea? It is unless you own a restaurant that will have to compete with said new restaurant I guess.
You all need to just pipe-down and cool it. Lets get it clear who the real pioneers of Ohio City are. Talking sustainibility? Parker was doing this way before most of you Ohio City newbies were born and Karen Small has been carrying the flag ever since. Small plates? Duh. KeKA. Beer? Great Lakes. Neighborhood joints? How about Mike Roman the original brains behind the ABC? The original Fulton Avenue Cafe.The Old Angle? We’ve have not all been down here since the 80’s building, fighting, and setting up OUR “shitty” neighborhood, so we can raise our children, walk the streets, build our businesses and pave the way all you critics and “saviors” to take credit for it. Do your homework, be a constructive part of the neighborhood or shut up & go home.
Shall I go on? Market Avenue Wine Bar, 17 years.
Chef jeff james is at Reddstone….
I work at Barley part time for extra money. This drug-addled punch palace that McNulty calls is it is a joke. I’ve worked there almost two years and have never witnessed any drug action going on. Thrown out people for fight maybe twice. I understand him not wanting undesirable clientel (he can call them that not to sound racist). Personally i dont want that on West 25th either. Sam just doesn’t want any competition from Bobby in my opinion.
Not sure how McNulty can say TownHall will bring down the neighborhood. Went into Market Garden a few months ago, only to be completely turned off by all the 20-somethings that were completely obliterated in the downstairs area. Passed out on tables, stumbling around on heels. So before you start pointing fingers Sam, you may want to check out what’s going on in your own establishments – looks like you’re the one “pioneering” the recreation of W 6th atmosphere.
Hate all you want. You probably live in the burbs you turds. Let me see you develope a neighborhood better?
Town Hall hardly brings down the neighborhood. The McNulty family claim to benevolent supporters of the area but are truly looking out for their own interest, as evidenced by Sam McNulty’s claims that he’d buy up and get rid of the low income housing developments near the area because they’re bad for business. And if the rumors are true, they may have even stooped so low as to accuse Sean Heineman of a heinous crime. If he’s guilty then lock him up forever, but if it’s all made up by Sam and the McNulty clan then hopefully their deceit and selfishness will be fully revealed to Cleveland.