For Shelley Pippin and her husband, John, donuts were more than just a guilty pleasure — they became a calling. Frustrated with the corporate grind, the Cleveland natives launched Brewnuts in 2013 with no prior experience in the industry, blending their love for craft beer and handmade pastries.
Starting with pop-ups and wholesale, they opened their storefront in 2017, creating a space where creativity, nostalgia and indulgence come together. While beer plays a role in their icings and fillings, the dough itself remains purely classic. “I love creating experiences. We get to create something that is the part of somebody's day that surprises and delights them,” says Pippin.
Pippin is also one of the co-founders of The W Sports Bar, Cleveland’s first women’s sports bar that serves as an inclusive space that celebrates women’s sports while welcoming all fans in the Gordon Square Arts District.
Courtesy The Rowley Inn
Brunchin’: I almost never get to go out for breakfast, being in the business that I’m in. It’s my favorite meal of the day. But we recently had brunch at the Rowley Inn [Tremont] and it was excellent; it felt like such a treat. John had this amazing smothered kielbasa hash, and I had the avocado toast. But, like all things done in true Rowley fashion, it had goat cheese, balsamic drizzle and all these yummy extra add-ons. And, of course, I had to have the Old Bay home fries, because if there's a potato on the menu, especially a breakfast potato, I'm always getting it.
RELATED: W Sports Bar Opening as Cleveland’s First and Only Women’s Sports Bar
Morning Brew: I usually have my coffee at Brewnuts because I’m there first thing in the morning. We get all of our coffee from Phoenix Coffee Co.. I will have a double shot that’s actually a quad because all of our shots at Brewnuts are technically a double, so it's like a quad shot Americano. And I take that to the face every day. That is my daily pick-me-up, and I'm a one-coffee-a-day kind of gal.
Courtesy Johnny's Bar on Fulton
Celebration: I would say one of my favorite places in Cleveland is Johnny's Bar on Fulton. I just love going there in terms of the experience, the ambiance and the staff. They just take such wonderful care of us. That was where we went for my birthday, and it’s a staple for John and I if we need to recharge and drop off our usual routine. We get the peppercorn crusted duck breast appetizer that comes with walnuts, cherries and goat cheese. Their sauteed veal stuffed peppers are fantastic, as well. We always split the Caesar salad with anchovies, and for entrees, I usually get the steak a poivre. Sometimes I’ll get one of the massive bone-in veal chops, but there’s nothing bad on the menu.
RELATED: Most Interesting People 2017: Shelley and John Pippin
Chris Walter
Date Night: I love Little Italy. Cent' Anni, for cocktails, is an absolute gem tucked away over there. Michaelangelo's is fabulous. Valerio’s is just wonderful. It's like a hug, and it's such a family place and has a wonderful vibe. We also love going to Maxi’s for drinks, and their food is amazing as well. They have a patio in the summertime that has such great ambiance. Little Italy is another one of those places that feels like an escape for us.
Neighborhood Brews: We always joke that Rozi’s Wine House is Lakewood’s living room because we see all our neighbors and friends there, and we’re there multiple times a week. We just walk over, and they have their patio. You can grab a beer or a glass of wine, and that’s our little place we love to hang out.
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