Brecksville known for great schools, downtown and small-town charm
Brecksville is a leafy oasis between the big cities of Cleveland and Akron, with a third of its land devoted to the 3,000-acre Brecksville Reservation and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This family-friendly suburb is also known for its great schools, its downtown architecture and its small-town charm.
Location
Located on the southern border of Cuyahoga County, part of Brecksville’s lure is its proximity to both Cleveland and Akron. Major thoroughfares go in every direction from here, including state routes 21 and 82, Interstate 77 and Interstate 80/the Ohio Turnpike. It is also served by bus routes from both Cleveland and Akron.
Highlights
The town is named for Col. John Breck, one of several investors who purchased the land in 1807. Col. Breck never lived in Brecksville, but his three sons did, and descendants continued to live there until his great-grandson, Dr. Theodore Breck, died in 1934.
Notable residents include: stuntman, actor and comedian Ryan Dunn; national sports radio personality Ann Liguori; “Leaving Las Vegas” author John O’Brien; and Charles Luther Sifford, the first black player on the PGA Tour.
Companies that have headquarters in Brecksville or sizable operations there include Lubrizol Corp., Duck Creek Energy Inc., Med Data Inc., Truenorth Energy, Applied Medical Technology Inc., The Ahola Corp., Clinical Technology Inc. NEC Corp., Curtiss-Wright Corp., PNC Financial Services and AT&T.
The Brecksville-Broadview Heights School District was ranked the seventh-best in the state of Ohio in the 2019 state report cards. It is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as being in the top 5% of all schools in the country. The girls gymnastics team won its 16th consecutive state title in 2019; the boys wrestling team were state champs in 2015; the girls volleyball team was state champs in 2016.
Attractions
As the area recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses are altering their hours of operation. Be aware that the information reported in this list may change.
• The 3,000-acre Brecksville Reservation is the largest of the 18 Cleveland Metroparks reservations and the largest urban park in Ohio. Try the scenic gorge overlook off state Route 82 (Chippewa Road) by the park entrance. There are historical landmarks and lots of trails. At the Nature Center, a popular winter activity is to feed the chickadees by hand. The center is at 9000 Chippewa Road. https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com.
• Part of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, one of the most-visited parks in the country’s national park system, reaches into Brecksville. The park system’s scenic passenger railway has a station at 9141 Riverview Road, which also serves as a shuttle for bicyclists, runners, hikers and paddlists. At the station, you can also pick up a trailhead for the 81-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. https://www.nps.gov/places/000/brecksville-station.htm
• Sleepy Hollow Golf Course, part of the Brecksville Reservation, is regularly ranked among the top public golf courses in Ohio for its aesthetic beauty and challenge. It’s located at 9445 Brecksville Road. Visit https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/golf/courses/sleepy-hollow-golf-course to learn more.
• The Brecksville Theatre is a performing arts venue in the city’s historic Old Town Hall. It’s handicap accessible and has an elevator. The schedule of performances include the comedy “Crazy for You” this spring, and “42nd Street” in the fall. The theater also will host a Disney Frozen summer camp for kids. 49 Public Square. https://www.thebrecksvilletheatre.org
• The Squire Rich Museum is maintained as a home from the 1840s. It was built by early settlers Charles and Ann Rich. Charles, a justice of the peace for 30 years, used the title “squire.” The house was acquired from descendants by Cleveland Metroparks in 1921. It can be visited most Sunday afternoons June through October. There is also a herb garden on the property. 9367 Brecksville Road. http://www.brecksvillehistoricalassociation.org
• Blue Habanero, 8934 Brecksville Road, is the second location for a popular Cleveland eatery. Specializing in street-style tacos and margaritas. Open daily at 11 a.m. Closes 9 p.m. Sunday, 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. https://bluehabanerobrecksville.com
• The Courtyard Cafe, 7600 Chippewa Road, is a popular local tavern featuring American cuisine, including beef, seafood, pizzas, salads, burgers, pasta and sandwiches. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. In the summer months, an outdoor patio features live music on many Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. https://courtyardbrecksville.com
• Creekside Restaurant & Bar, 8803 Brecksville Road, overlooks Chippewa Creek. View from the inside in the winter, and take advantage of the outdoor plaza in the summer. The menu ranges from chicken, pasta and pizza to seafood and beef. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Sunday for breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., then dinner from 2 to 8 p.m. https://www.creeksiderestaurant.com.
• Burntwood Tavern, 8188 Brecksville Road, is a classy local tavern chain with a menu of New American fare and pub grub, plus craft beers and cocktails. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with brunch served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Kids eat free on Monday. https://www.burntwoodtavern.com/brecksville
• Simon’s Deli, 7770 Chippewa Road, has been serving classic deli sandwiches in generous portions since 1976. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. https://simonsbrecksville.com
• 750ml Wines, 8903 Brecksville Road, offers small plates, wine by the glass and bottles to go in a warm, woodsy space, located in the center of town in an old red brick store. Open 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. https://750mlwines.com/location-brecksville
• Maryann Candies, 8945 Brecksville Road, is a local favorite for sweet treats and themed candies for the holidays. Open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. See a sampling at https://www.maryanncandies.com
• Joe Maxx Coffee Shop, 7305 Chippewa Road, is a five-state chain that caters to coffee addicts with its variety of coffee beans and espresso. The cafe also serves up fresh pastries, bagels and sandwiches. Open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends. https://joemaxxcoffee.com/store-locations/brecksville
• Larsen Lumber and Supply is a family-owned icon in Brecksville since 1947 and founded on the site of a former grist mill with some buildings dating back to the turn of the century. Stroll the store from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. https://www.larsenlumberco.com
• Clip-ity Clop is one of Ohio’s largest retailers of western boots, hats, clothing, jewelry, belts, buckles, home decor, toys and gifts. Visit at 12930 Chippewa Road or check out the gear online at https://clip-ityclop.com. Store hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
About Brecksville
Founded: 1811. It became a city in 1960.
Population: 13,700
School and mascot: Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District; the Bees
Website: https://www.brecksville.oh.us/
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