FutureHeights invites community to Aug. 5 Cedar Lee Hard Hat Happy Hour

FutureHeights is planning Cedar Lee Hard Hat Happy Hour on Friday, Aug. 5, 5–8 p.m. This family-friendly event is intended to bring the community together during the ongoing construction of the Cedar Lee Business District’s new streetscape. This multimillion-dollar project—expected to last seven months—is currently in its fourth month. While everyone is looking forward to the project’s completion, it has disrupted traffic patterns and posed challenges for businesses and patrons alike. FutureHeights, a nonprofit community development organization, hopes that this event will bring residents and business owners together, to have some fun during construction.

“The event will help make shoppers aware that businesses are open during construction,” said Micah Kirman, chair of the FutureHeights Economic Development Committee, which is organizing the event. “We want to make them feel comfortable and welcome to walk through the doors of these unique, independent businesses even during construction.”

FutureHeights will sell hard hats in the mini-park outside of Heights Arts, at 2175 Lee Road. Adult hats are $3; children’s hats are free. Participating Cedar Lee merchants and restaurants will offer special promotional deals to anyone wearing or carrying a hard hat during the event. Examples include 20 percent off all clothing and accessories at Revive Fair Trade Eco-Boutique; $1 off all draft beers, $2 domestic bottles, and $3 well drinks at New Heights Grill; 30 percent off a purchase at Kazstylious Secret Closet; a free side salad with the purchase of a pizza at Dewey’s Pizza; 10 percent off purchase/check at CLE Urban Winery, and more.

Each participating business will display balloons, and those who purchase a hard hat will receive a guide listing all participating merchants and corresponding specials. Hard hat purchasers who decorate their hard hats (in the mini-park by Heights Arts) will be entered into a raffle to win prizes from Cedar Lee merchants.

The event will also feature live jazz music and a family-friendly kids’ area. An ice cream truck will be parked along the street, and other activities will be available during the event.

Participants are encouraged to take photos of themselves and friends wearing their decorated hats, and tag them on social media with the hashtag #CedarLeeHardHat.

Ample parking is available in city lots east of Lee Road behind the Cedar Lee Theatre, and behind Stone Oven and Phoenix Coffee. Street parking is available on all side streets. Valet parking is available after 5:30 p.m. at three locations: behind the Cedar Lee Theatre, behind Stone Oven, and next to the Tavern Company.

This event was made possible through generous donations from the following organizations: SET Construction, Ohio Savings Bank, Heights Libraries, U.S. Bank, Big Fun, Heights Arts, the Heights Observer, Family Connections, Blick Art Materials, Home Depot, Zagara’s Marketplace and the City of Cleveland Heights.

For more information, visit the event's Facebook page or www.futureheights.org.