Cleveland downtown eateries transition back to normal services

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many Cleveland businesses faced challenges related to the rising cost of ingredients, employing workers and nationwide shortages of restaurant essentials. Local eateries adapted and are now transitioning back to normal operations despite the circumstances. 

The Gardner’s Market, located on Broad Street, is a family-owned business operated by Jimmy and Tonya Holsomback. The Gardner’s Market first opened in 1992 and attracted patrons with its unique dining room layout. The Holsombacks expressed interest in the restaurant in 2013 and purchased it in January of 2014.

When the Holsombacks took over the restaurant with the help of their two sons, Rhett and Dean, they wanted to keep the market’s ambiance unique while providing their own twist.

“My wife is a chef, and I went to school for restaurant management, [so] we both had plenty of work experience in the field,” said Jimmy Holsomback. “It was a pretty smooth transition.”

Gardner’s Market closed their inside dining area throughout the pandemic and worked through a to-go window to provide lunch for the Cleveland community. 

“Throughout the pandemic, we were able to operate thanks to our to-go window. It was a huge blessing for us to be able to do that,” said Jimmy Holsomback. “We understand the quality of the food can be there; the service can be there. However, there’s something to be said about ambiance. The Gardner’s Market has a uniqueness.”

The Gardner’s Market recently reopened the dining area after two and a half years.

“I love Gardner’s Market and have sentimental memories tied to it,” said senior public relations major Carlie Russell. “I’ve been going there since freshman year and still enjoy it as much as when I first tried it. The menu is huge, and the vibes are great. I love the small-town feel and location. It is so easy to walk there.”

Shannon and Christy Ritzhaupt established Cafe Roma in 2003 with the intention of bringing fine dining to the Cleveland community. According to Cafe Roma’s website, it is a “small-town restaurant with big taste.” Cafe Roma offered takeout family meals by curbside and delivery throughout the pandemic. 

“Cafe Roma has a nice atmosphere, although it can be loud because the space isn’t big,” said senior classics major Asher Johnson. “They make great Italian food, and it is nice to have for downtown Cleveland. Downtown businesses benefit from location, atmosphere and community. I totally prefer local food over a chain restaurant.”

Cafe Roma, located on North Ocoee Street, returned to an open dining room in May of 2020. As of 2022, the business is operating at normal hours for lunch and dinner services.

Kim Frank, the owner of Fork and Spoon, has been in the restaurant business for more than two decades. For Frank, owning and operating her own restaurant has been a dream 25 years in the making. Frank opened Fork and Spoon in 2019, right before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If someone had told me when I wanted to open up a restaurant that I was going to face a global pandemic, then a hiring freeze and then a distribution problem— I probably would have laughed really hard and just stayed at the job that I was already at,” said Frank. “It has definitely been trying, but I think that if it’s something you’re passionate about, then it’s worth it.”

Frank is constantly curating seasonal menus, and offers catering and dining party options. Fork and Spoon, located on Broad Street, is planning to set up a satellite restaurant in the cafe of the Cleveland Public Library. The cafe will be a grab-and-go station, and Frank will oversee the new development.

“I honestly believe that whenever you invest into a small business, whether you work with one, for one or you purchase from one, you’re investing in your community,” said Frank. “It’s the mom-and-pop business that [are] doing all their social media, menu planning and purchasing, with ideas that come from a singular individual as opposed to corporate, [that are] going to be much more unique and community-driven.”