OB Featured Business: Zeleznik's Tavern

Zeleznik's Tavern, located at 4002 Jennings Road (about a mile south of Steelyard Commons), has a storied past and old-time charm.

The family-owned and -operated pub will celebrate its ninetieth anniversary in July 2009. Third-generation proprietors Peggy and Bruce "Buzz" Zeleznik actually live above the bar and proudly declare themselves two of the Industrial Valley's few residents.

During Cleveland's industrial heyday, it served as a haven for steelworkers and other blue-collar laborers. At a time, Zeleznik's was so popular that the bar was as many as four "deep," and the establishment would be consistently busy from 5:30am until 2:30am on a daily basis.

But Zeleznik's customer base has dwindled in recent years due to a dramatic decline in Cleveland's industrial and manufacturing jobs. Eager to continue their family's tradition, the Zelezniks explored new concepts that would attract patrons. So in December 2008, Zeleznik's re-emerged as Lady Z's, an alternative bar and dance club for women. Since its opening, Lady Z's has enjoyed steady business, hosting numerous parties, dinners, and other events. (Peggy insists everyone should feel welcome to stop in for a drink or dinner.)

No piece about Zeleznik's is complete without a description of its alluring interior. Inside is a woodburning stove that creates a feeling of ambiance and is comfy to warm up to in Cleveland's chilly months. Photos of Cleveland's history adorn the walls of a nook with a billiards table, and if that isn't convincing enough that the Zelezniks love Old Brooklyn and the city, strike up a conversation with them and it will not disappoint. The beautiful thirty-five-foot wooden bar, which has aged gracefully, bears slight impressions from the elbows of thousands of workers and others that have patronized Zeleznik's throughout its nearly nine-decade history.

Zeleznik's also has a kitchen, with offerings ranging from burgers and sandwiches to wings and tacos. For the Lenten season, perch, cod, shrimp, potato pancakes, pierogi are available in addition to the regular menu. Most recently, Zeleznik's has made Wi-Fi available free to patrons.

Zeleznik's Tavern is open 11am to around midnight Monday through Thursday and Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm to 2:30am. For more information, please call (216) 741-0100 or visit Lady Z's website here.

OB Featured Business: Gaelic Imports

For over the last decade, Jim Henderson and his family have offered imported gifts and fare from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and England in Old Brooklyn. Their store, Gaelic Imports, is located at 4882 Pearl Road near the former Corpus Christi school.

Henderson relocated with his family to the United States from Scotland at the age of ten, and sought to bring the flavor of his country to the United States. His Old Brooklyn shop particularly appeals to expats from across the pond, who he says make up sixty percent of his customer base.

A variety of delicious prepared foods is available daily, including meatpies, cornish pasties, bridies, sausage rolls, bakewell tarts, eccles cakes, empire biscuits, and shortbread. Gaelic Imports also offers fresh pork sausage links, beef sausage links, slice, black pudding, mealie pudding, and haggis.

One of the staples of Gaelic Imports is its imported chocolates and sweets. The store boasts Northeast Ohio's largest selection of European candies, including Nestle Aero Bars and Crunchies and Flakes, and special orders can be made if a particular product is not available onsite.

Additionally, clothing, jewelry, and novelty items are for sale. Henderson even measures men for kilts and has them made to order!

Gaelic Imports in open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. For more information, including a list of products carried in the store, please call (216) 398-1548 or visit Gaelic Import's website here.

OB Featured Business: Gentile's Imported Italian Foods

Gentile's Imported Italian Foods has been one of Cleveland's favorite family-owned and -operated bakeries and delis for more than fifteen years.

Located at 4464 Broadview Road in Old Brooklyn, Gentile's was founded in 1993 by Fillipo and Rachel Gentile, who emigrated from a small town in the Molise region of Italy. The couple worked diligently, Fillipo as a carpenter and Rachel as a seamstress, to attain the means necessary to fulfill its dream of opening a bakery, deli, and catering business.

Gentile's offers several prepared foods, including hot and cold sandwiches, homemade pizza, soups and salads, and dinners and entrees at very reasonable prices. The full deli menu can be downloaded here. A wide variety of non-prepared items, such as imported meats, pastas, sauces and dressings, and canned vegetables, are also available in the store's grocery section. Gentile's freshly bakes some of most delicious bread in town, directly on location.

But there's one item at Gentile's that takes the cake. It specializes in traditional Cassata cakes, made from a family recipe. Gentile's has a variety of Cassata cakes available, including strawberry, amaretto mocha, ricotta with chocolate chips and drizzled rum, and vanilla and chocolate cream with Benevento rum. Gentile's Cassata cakes are oftentimes available in the bakery case or can be ordered in advance. Other tasty baked goods at Gentile's include specialty cakes, cannoli, cookies, and many other pastries. Download the entire dessert menu by clicking here.

Gentile's also caters events and meetings. Customers can choose one of the family's complete meals or select from vast variety of main courses, pastas, vegetables, and soups and salads and create their own feasts.

Gentile's Imported Italian Foods is open Tuesday through Friday from 9am to 6pm, Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday from 10am to 2pm. For more information, please visit http://www.gentilesbakery.com/.