Here's some of the history of what is today Paradise Island Saloon.
The first part of the current structure was built in 1918. I don't know when the house was zoned commercial exactly and am also having trouble resolving who owned the property prior to the 1940's. It was a functioning grocery store, as can be seen in the photo below, in 1928.
The residence and store was probably rented by Valentine Topolovac and his family.
In 1940, the United States Federal Census shows a family residing the running the grocery at 830 Babbitt as Louis Pibernik and family. The property was still reported as a rental.
Mihelich Grocery & Meat Market was how the address listing reads in the 1947 Euclid city directory.
Sometime between then and 1956 they became Mihelich's IGA Super Market. They could be reached by phone at RE1-9919. RE stands for REdwood exchange. Listing from the 1956 Euclid Jaycee's directory.
Enter 1960. Up until now, things have been, well, uneventful. That is until Anthony "Anton" Mihelich decided he'd like to turn his grocery establishment into a restaurant.
WITH A LIQUOR LICENSE.
In an in-again, out-again, John-again Finnegan decision City Council voted unanimously Monday night to re-re-zone the Anton Mihelich property, 830 Babbitt rd., back to a U-2 (two-family) use area.
The council action, stemming from Mayor Sims, Board of Education and Noble School PTA-supported move, was aimed to prevent a flooding of Euclid by liquor outlets prompted by a lackadaisical attitude of the State In issuing of liquor-dispensing permits.
Original council action, which had amended the zoning regulations to give Mihelich a U-4 use (commercial), had come as a result of an impassioned plea by Anton Mihelich and his son “to protect his long-established grocery store Investment.”
Liquor Application
Within two weeks of the council's rezoning, an application for a D-5 liquor license was filed by the son. Reaction of the Mayor, Board of Education, Noble PTA was instantaneous and opposed to the granting of any such permit.
Only alternative open to council was to rezone the property, thus reverting it to its U2 status. The Mayor, school board member William Tomko and PTA representatives appeared at the liquor permit hearing to oppose its issuance.
Anton Mihelich, appearing in his own behalf and opposing the re-zoning move, once again offered an impassioned plea based on his belief that he had “the right to do with his property as he pleased." He stated that the liquor business was a "legal” business and, as such, he had the right to engage in that enterprise.
Councilman Wade, who in conjunction with Councilman Lang initiated the ordinance to revert the zoning, said, "The only way that we can protect the citizens of Euclid from the issuance of still another liquor license is to rezone this property back to a U-2 use. If the State should issue the license under the present zoning (U4) we would be powerless to prevent its use,"
Majority Oppose
Although the majority of the area neighbors present opposed Mihelich's move to operate a "cafe", he was not without support. Mrs. Jack N. Abbott, 836 East 236th st., eloquently pointed out that the Mihelich's had always operated a "good, clean business" and that she saw no reason why they would not continue to do so with their proposed liquor business.
Several councilmen said that neither Mr. Mihelich's reputation nor his personal habits were being questioned. It was agreed by all that the principal question concerned the opening of a liquor-dispensing establishment in a residential area so close to an elementary school.
H. David Lefkowitz, attorney representing the Mihelich interests, contended that even "Under the U-2 zoning, Mr, Mihelich has non-conforming use rights which take precedence over any zoning regulations."
City Law Director John Ray pointed out that the non-conforming use permitted the Mihelich's was for a grocery store only.
Mr. Lefkowitz then contended that such interpretation was at variance with county, state and federal laws.
Zoning Exemplary
Euclid's zoning regulations have been the basis for all zoning regulations now in effect in the United States. In the early 1920's a zoning case was taken to the United States Supreme Court and the regulations were upheld.
Several residents in the neighborhood voiced their opposition to the liquor outlet and a resolution by the Noble PTA unanimously opposing it was read.
Mayor Sims, speaking in favor of the rezoning to a U-2, said, "A nightclub in that fine residential area is unthinkable. I believe that Mr. Mihelich is ‘dead wrong' in trying to do so."
The possibility of attaching a binding covenant which would preclude the property's ever being used for the sale of liquor was discussed by members of the council, the Mayor and the Law Director. Consideration of this aspect may be taken up at a later date.
The battle raged on through the fall of 1960. Even while the city re REzoned the property (how about that shit?) the Mihelich's got a restaurant license from the county right about the time all the noise was starting to get louder. Probably about the time they got re-re-zoned.
Here's a 1962 advert for the Hometown restaurant in Euclid. What's the circle/cylinder thing?
Cocktails you say? Guess they got that liquor license after all, although I'm not sure if the city caved (seems unlikely) or if the Mihelich's just went above some heads (seems more likely).
Naturally the neighborhood didn't burn down and blow away, and Hometown Restaurant was operating out of 830 Babbitt for many years. The phone number did change from RE2-9919 to 731-9689 somewhere along the way.
Below is a 1974 want ad seeking an experienced waitress, aged 25 to 45 years.
They also advertised in the Euclid high school year books.
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| Hometown Restaurant Euclid 1978 |
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| Euclid year book 1981 |
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| 1984, featuring a lovely photo with later addition |
Still serving liquor. LIQUOR.
Fast forward 12 years (there may have been other names here, I couldn't find anything but a huge gap of nothing) and 830 Babbitt is in business, and having karaoke and open mic nights as Brian's Drawbridge Restaurant & Pub, advertising in Cleveland SCENE magazine. They ran these adverts from September 1998 until August 1999.
The property was sold by the Mihelich name in 2007. That's a long run. Paradise Island Saloon, which resides there now, has a bit about ownership and his vision on their website:
In 1989, Steve Svrga, who is a life long Euclid resident, business owner and St. Joseph high school grad, decided that his community needed a place "where good friends meet". He then opened the Tap House Bar & Grill on East 222nd St and established a neighborhood bar with good food & service. This is where our famous "Dry Rubbed" wing recipe was developed that we all know and love. After pursuing other ventures, he decided to get back his passion for the bar business and purchased the Paradise in 2011. Again, he envisioned Euclid to have a place with excellent food at a remarkable value, live entertainment with some of the bands that played the Tap House, free Valet Parking, and Sunday Brunch to his community.
Paradise has added a fence for patio dining out front. Svrga submitted an application to P&Z in September 2019 to build a parking lot at what's now 820 East 239th street to use as accessory parking for 830 Babbitt. He later withdrew his own request.
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| 830 Babbitt Rd. Euclid, 2019 |
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| 1928 and 2019 |
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