Cutler Blog
10
8 Lakes to Go Swimming Near Columbus
Summer can be sweltering in Central Ohio! Luckily, there are ample opportunities to hit the lake and cool off in the Columbus area. If you're looking for a place to swim and soak up some sun this summer, visit these beaches near Columbus, OH.
Alum Creek Lake
3400 Lewis Center Rd., Lewis Center, OH 43035
Located less than 30 minutes north of Downtown Columbus, Alum Creek Lake is one of the most popular lakes for outdoor recreation. The lake spans 3,387 acres and is known as one of the best fishing lakes in Ohio. Anglers often catch bass and panfish in the area around Alum Creek State Park, which is also the lake's primary swimming destination. The park features a 3,000-foot sandy beach—the longest beach in any Ohio state park—and includes amenities like restrooms and changing areas, outdoor showers, beach vendors, and sand volleyball courts.
Buckeye Lake
2905 Leibs Island Rd. NE, Millersport, OH 43046
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Spanning 3,173 acres in Fairfield and Licking counties, Buckeye Lake is a beautiful swimming and boating destination just half an hour east of Columbus. The shoreline of this large reservoir is home to Buckeye Lake State Park, Ohio's oldest state park, which remains a popular day-use area for summer picnics, hikes, and beach trips. The park includes two beaches: Fairfield Beach on the south side of the lake and Crystal Beach on the north side. Both beaches are open to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.
Madison Lake
4860 E. Park Dr., London, OH 43140
Madison Lake is located in a region west of Columbus known as the Darby Plains, which offers some of the few remaining wild prairies in the state of Ohio. A small 106-acre reservoir that was built in the 1940s, Madison Lake is a highlight of the region. The lake is surrounded by Madison Lake State Park, which includes a 300-foot swimming beach, picnic areas, and boat launch facilities on the east side of the lake. A separate dog swim area, where pets are allowed to swim off-leash, is located on the opposite side of the lake. Boats are restricted to electric motors and non-powered craft only, making this an excellent lake for paddling as well.
Delaware Lake
75 Downing Rd., Delaware, OH 43015
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Delaware Lake is a long, meandering reservoir just north of Columbus in Central Ohio. The lake spans 1,300 acres and offers excellent fishing for bass, crappie, and muskellunge. It's also a great swim spot, and Delaware State Park provides an 800-foot sandy beach where visitors can take a dip and soak up some sun. A picnic pavilion, playground, and modern restrooms are available at the beach, and there are also two designated boat swim areas on the lake. Delaware State Park also has a beautifully wooded campground with over 200 sites for tents and RVs.
Deer Creek Lake
20635 State Park Road 20, Mt Sterling, OH 43143
Just under 40 minutes south of Columbus, Deer Creek Lake is a picturesque 1,277-acre reservoir with a 15-mile shoreline surrounded by farmlands and forests. It's a great place to spend a long summer weekend, with rental cabins and over 200 electric campsites in Deer Creek Lake State Park. The park includes a beautiful 1,700-foot swimming beach, a popular spot to cool off on hot days. There's also a designated boat swim area located in the cove adjacent to the Deer Creek Lodge. Boats are allowed with unlimited horsepower, and Deer Creek Lake is also known for excellent fishing.
Prairie Oaks Dog Beach
2755 Amity Rd., Hilliard, OH 43026
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Looking for a place where your four-legged friends can cool off? Located just minutes from Downtown Columbus, Prairie Oaks Metro Park is one of the city's best places to take dogs for a dip. The park has a designated dog beach on the shoreline of Lake 1, part of a cluster of small lakes within the park. Pets are also allowed on the park's hiking trails, but they must be leashed outside the immediate area around the dog beach. And while there's no designated "human swimming area" in the park, there's also no rule that says you can't go in with your canine pals!
Lake Hudson
Old River Road, Granville, OH 43023
Lake Hudson is a unique swimming destination in the Columbus area. This privately owned recreation lake offers crystal clear spring-fed waters that stay pleasantly cool even during the dog days of summer. There's a beautiful beach and picnic area on the lakeshore, along with fishing access and a place to launch small boats like canoes and kayaks. Membership grants you access to Lake Hudson any time, but there are also opportunities for some non-members to enjoy the facilities. Former members and residents of Licking, Fairfield, Perry, Muskingum, and Knox counties may visit the lake as guests.
Indian Lake
13156 OH-235, Lakeview, OH 43331
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Originally built as a shallow feeder lake for the Miami & Erie Canal in the 1800s, Indian Lake is now one of Western Ohio's most popular recreation lakes. Located just under an hour northwest of Columbus, Indian Lake offers 5,100 acres of water, making it one of the largest lakes in the state. Its wide-open spaces make it popular for boating, fishing, and jet-skiing, and the area around the lake offers great camping and hiking opportunities. If you're looking for a place to swim, head to Indian Lake State Park, where Old Field and Fox Island beaches offer 1,400 feet of beach access.
Fun in the Sun
Where's your favorite swimming hole in the Buckeye State?
5
8 Places to Bury Your Nose in a Book Around Northeast Ohio
Burying your nose in a good book is a great way to leave your worries behind for a few hours. People who read typically have more active imaginations. Plus, reading can help ease stress and depression, prevent cognitive decline, and build your vocabulary. Whether you love mystery novels, non-fiction, or something in-between, Northeast Ohio has several local bookstores worth visiting. Head to one of these book shops to find your next read.
Loganberry Books
10515 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44120
Located in the historic Larchmere neighborhood, this Cleveland bookstore first opened in 1994 and has kept readers happy ever since. They have more than 100,000 different titles in stock, including many on women's history and literature. Loganberry Books carries both new and used titles, including some leatherbound books and first editions. If you're not only a reader but a book collector, this is the place to go.
Loganberry books is open daily. Shoppers can join their Perks Program for free and earn a $10 coupon for every $100 spent. Perks Program members also get a bonus coupon on birthdays and extra store credit when they sell books.
Half-Price Books
1607 Golden Gate Plaza, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
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Half-Price Books is a family-owned bookstore that sells secondhand books and other media. You can take them your already-read books to sell and go home with new titles to enjoy. The store has a good selection of books on philosophy, martial arts, and animals. The wide aisles and friendly atmosphere make it a great place to shop with kids.
Half-Price Books is open daily. They offer online ordering and curbside pickup, which are great if you're in a rush.
Fireside Book Shop
29 N. Franklin St., Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
Fireside Book Shop has been serving Northeast Ohio since 1963. The store has an old-fashioned appeal but in the best way. They not only have a great selection of books, but also countless puzzles, greeting cards, and board games. The helpful staff members can help you find the perfect book, whether you're shopping for yourself or a loved one.
Fireside Book Shop is a woman-owned business and is open daily. Their Trade-In Program is a customer favorite, allowing shoppers to trade in their used books for store credit. Stop by regularly, and you'll always have something new to read.
The Learned Owl Book Shop
204 N. Main St., Hudson, OH 44236
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The Learned Owl Book Shop has been open on Main Street since 1968. Although the shop is small, its selection of books is incredible. The owner knows everything on the shelves and is very helpful. They also have a children's nook and a selection of adult coloring books.
This bookstore is open daily and is within walking distance of many great cafes and restaurants. You could spend an afternoon picking out a book, walking around the neighborhood, then treating yourself to a nice meal.
Horizontal Books
1921 W. 25th St., Cleveland, OH 44113
If you find yourself in Cleveland, stop by Horizontal Books and browse their shelves. This shop sells overstock books. If you purchase one, you save 50% off the standard retail price. Purchase more than one, and you save even more. Horizontal Books brings in new titles every day, so there's always something else to discover.
Horizontal Books is open daily from 10 am - 6 pm. They're in the process of opening up their own coffee shop, too.
Mac's Backs-Books On Coventry
1820 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
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Mac's Backs-Books on Coventry is a one of the largest bookstores in Ohio. They have three stories of books and community rooms where they host educational events. This shop has a great sci-fi collection and lots of young adult fiction. The entire basement is full of non-fiction titles.
Mack's Backs is walking distance from Case Western Reserve University and is therefore popular with college students. Keep an eye on their website for events such as book signings, writing workshops, and live readings.
Novelty Shop Used & Rare Books
14948 Chillicothe Rd., Novelty, OH 44072
If you're looking for a specific rare or antique book, Novelty Shop is the place to go. This boutique book store sells used, rare, and antique books, along with a small selection of other antique items. You'll find original hardcovers of classics, leatherbound books, and first editions galore.
Novelty Shop has been open since 1999 and is frequented by many of Ohio's book collectors. You're bound to learn something just by stopping in and taking a look around.
Visible Voice Books
2258 Professor Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113
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Visible Voice Books wants to make reading cool again. This independent bookstore has a very relaxed, inviting atmosphere and stocks titles in almost every genre. But they also have so much more than books. There's a bar and coffee shop where you can grab your favorite drink to sip while you read. Selections include craft beers from Fat Head and Left Hand Brewing. They even host wine tasting events.
Inside Visible Voice Books, there is also a neighborhood pizza shop called Crust. So, you can enjoy lunch, find a new book, and buy a bottle of wine—all under one roof. The shop is open Tuesday-Sunday.
Get Lost in a Book
Where will you discover your new favorite novel? Let us know which one of these bookstores feels most like home.
3
Cutler's Top Producers for June 2022
One of Cutler Real Estate's core values is to work with purpose: Life is busy, but the immediate shouldn't take priority over the important. Our Realtors always focus on what's important to buyers and sellers around Northeast Ohio, Columbus & Central Ohio, and Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky.
Each month we recognize those agents who have gone above and beyond to meet and exceed their goals. We congratulate the following Realtors and groups for providing the superior customer service people have come to expect from Cutler Real Estate. Join us in celebrating the top producers, production leaders, and listing leaders for June 2022.
Regions:
29
Celebrate Summer With These 8 LoLo Gifts Offers
Independence Day may be in the rearview mirror, but there are still plenty of fireworks going on in our state. Cutler Real Estate and LoLo Gifts keep the summer going with their assortment of free gifts for July.
Whether it's a colorful bouquet in Northeast Ohio, a glass of mead in Columbus, or desserts in Cincinnati, get out and discover the wide range of offerings from this wonderful group of small businesses.
July Gifts:
Cleveland: A Tea & Shake Combo
Cincinnati: A Dessert Jar
The Sweet Place
2510 Short Vine St., Cincinnati, O 45219
Life is short; eat dessert first. That's even easier with your free dessert jar from The Sweet Place.
About The Sweet Place
After The Sweet Place opened in Cleveland, they discovered a need for their unique offerings in the Cincinnati area. Their shop in Short Vine features a satisfying combination of classic and trendy sweets with something for everyone. The menu of baked goods, ice cream, and funnel cakes includes vegan and gluten-free options.
Contact and Hours
Wednesday - Sunday: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Canton: Ice Cream
Just Ice Cream and a bit more
213 Wabash Ave. S., Brewster, OH 44613
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With 48 soft-serve flavors and 48 hand-dipped flavors, how can you choose? It's not too early to start thinking about how you will use your gift from Just Ice Cream and a bit more.
About Just Ice Cream and a bit more
The name of Just Ice Cream and a bit more refers to planning discussions between husband-and-wife owners Jim and Connie. When Connie wanted to consider adding additional items, Jim would remind her, "It's just ice cream." The second half of the name was a compromise added to allow for possible future additions.
Contact and Hours
Monday - Sunday: Noon - 9 p.m.
Medina: Latte and a Pastry
Cool Beans Cafe
103 W. Liberty St., Medina, OHH 44256
Looking for a morning starter or mid-afternoon pick-me-up? Your free latte and pastry from Cool Beans Cafe are a great solution for either situation.
About Cool Beans Cafe
With a prime spot on historic Medina Square, Cool Beans Cafe has won awards for "Best Coffee" and "Best Place to Meet." The warm, comfortable ambiance invites you to linger over an espresso drink with a freshly-made pastry or wraps, paninis, and salads made to order.
Contact and Hours
Monday - Saturday: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Wooster: Cupcakes
The Faithful Little Cupcake
4146 Burbank Rd., Suite B, Wooster, OH 44691
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Cupcakes are a perfect way to satisfy a craving for sweets when you're on the go. Choose from the dozen rotating flavors featured each day at The Faithful Little Cupcake.
About The Faithful Little Cupcake
The Faithful Little Cupcake may showcase the hand-held treats, but owner Ashley Fetzer and her creative team have a wide repertoire. In addition to cupcakes, their offerings include custom cakes and cut-out cookies along with mini-cheesecakes, brownie bites, and other specialties.
Contact and Hours
Tuesday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Columbus: A Glass of Mead
Brothers Drake Meadery
26 E. 5th Ave., Columbus, OH 43201
Find out why mead is known as "the drink of the gods." Savor a glass of this delightful honey-based beverage at Brothers Drake Meadery.
About Brothers Drake Meadery
Eric and Woody, eponymous founders of Brothers Drake Meadery, were ahead of the curve with their interest in this ancient fermented beverage. The meadery hosts engaging tours and demonstrations where friendly and knowledgeable staff members share history and information. Try the house flight with 15 flavors of your choice.
Contact and Hours
Wednesday - Thursday: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Friday: 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Saturday: 2 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Sunday: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Akron: A Flower Bouquet
Dietz Floral Studio
1024 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
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Preparing for an open house or decorating your new home? Add a splash of color with a flower bouquet from Dietz Floral Studio.
About Dietz Floral Studio
Seasonal garden-inspired designs from Dietz Floral Studio brighten up any occasion, whether it's a wedding, birthday, or just a day at home. Linda, the owner, discovered a talent for flower arranging that enabled her to leave her office job and purchase the shop from Mr. Dietz after working there less than a year.
Contact and Hours
Monday - Thursday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cleveland: A Tea & Shake Combo
Old Brooklyn Nutrition
4138 Pearl Rd., Cleveland, OH 44109
When a beverage quenches your thirst while providing nutrition, that's a win-win. Treat body and soul to a refreshing tea & shake combo from Old Brooklyn Nutrition.
About Old Brooklyn Nutrition
Healthy beverages never tasted so good. Tea flavors at Old Brooklyn Nutrition include lemon, pomegranate, and Skittles, while shakes come in dozens of flavors that will make it feel like a cheat day. Add some physical activity with HITT classes on Tuesday and Zumba on Wednesday, both starting at 7 p.m.
Contact and Hours
Monday - Tuesday: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thursday: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday: 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Kent/Stow: A Beer or Soda
Bell Tower Brewing
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Bell Tower Brewing is one of the driving forces behind Ohio's thriving craft beer industry. Use your free July gift to sample one of their signature brews or enjoy a non-alcoholic soda.
About Bell Tower Brewing
Family-owned Bell Tower Brewing is Kent's first brewpub, featuring a mix of handcrafted beer and seasonally inspired food. Located in a historic building that once housed the First Congregational Church, Bell Tower upholds community tradition with a comfortable gathering place for family and friends.
Contact and Hours
Thursday: 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: Noon - 11 p.m.
Sunday: Noon - 9 p.m.
Fun for All Seasons
The goodies don't stop in summer! Contact your Cutler Real Estate agent to see how simple it is to receive our list of free offers each month.
27
7 Places to Sip a Cool Summer Treat in Northern Kentucky
Summer means warmer temperatures, which are mostly a good thing. But when it gets too hot and you want to cool off, ordering a milkshake or iced coffee can help you chill out. Fortunately, Northern Kentucky has several great locations serving up these cold drinks near Boone County homes for sale. Many also serve food items, so you can enjoy a burger with your milkshake or a pastry with your coffee, and you'll even be able to order a boozy milkshake if you'd like to, although it's also available without the alcohol.
When you're ready to cool off and treat yourself, head to one of the following seven places to order a milkshake or iced coffee in Northern Kentucky.
Fillmore's Dairy Hut
7500 Burlington Pike, Florence, KY 41042
A nostalgic staple of Florence for years, Fillmore's Dairy Hut is the type of place that adults fondly remember going to as kids with their parents or heading to after school or a sporting event, and now they're returning with their own kids. Order a burger, footlong cheese coney topped with homemade Cincinnati-style chili, or other traditional favorite with your milkshake, and you'll be pleasantly surprised at the reasonable prices. Milkshakes come in flavors, including strawberry, blueberry, chocolate chip, butterscotch, and peanut butter.
Graeter's Ice Cream
301 Buttermilk Pike, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017
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Graeter's Ice Cream traces its roots back to 1870 in Cincinnati when its founder began selling ice cream from two carts. At the time, it was hand-crafted in French pots. Ice cream is the all-important base of any great milkshake, and the fourth-generation family-owned company still makes it in a French pot freezer that leaves very little trapped air. The result is indulgent, delicious ice cream that translates into the same qualities in their milkshakes. Try a refreshing peach shake in the summer, or create your own from one of the shop's many flavors, including black raspberry chocolate chip and brown butter bourbon pecan. You'll have your choice of a 16-ounce small milkshake, a 20-ounce medium, or a 24-ounce large.
Mad Mike's Burgers & Fries
6420 Dixie Hwy., Florence, KY 41042
Mad Mike's Burgers & Fries serves up fresh, made-to-order burgers, and you can build your own or order a gourmet burger made with a half-pound of 100% black Angus beef. The Rockefeller burger—served with blue cheese crumbles, mango chutney, beer-battered onion strings, cilantro may, and lettuce—is a customer favorite. Have some hand-cut french fries along with your burger, and treat yourself to a milkshake with your meal. You can choose from flavors including cookies and cream, chocolate chip cookie, espresso vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate.
Nomad
225 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, KY 41073
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A bar may not be the first destination you think of when you're craving a milkshake, but Nomad serves an impressive list of boozy concoctions made with three ounces of alcohol. If you'd rather not have the alcohol, all shakes are also available in non-boozy versions. Try versions like Dough You Want Me Baby, consisting of ice cream, Ghirardelli caramel sauce, edible cookie dough, and vanilla vodka. The decadent shake is topped with whipped cream, a house-made cookie, chocolate chips, and a cherry. Or order the Oops! I Split It Again, Nomad's take on a banana split. It has ice cream blended with vanilla vodka, Frangelico, Ghirardelli chocolate, and banana split-inspired ingredients like bananas, walnuts, and cherries.
Jet Coffee
8203 U.S. 42, Florence, KY 41042
With its double drive-thru lanes, Jet Coffee quickly lets you cool off and fuel up with an iced coffee before or after work, school, or running errands. Coffee drinks are available hot or iced, including the butterscotch and rum Highlander Grogg brewed coffee. Specialty lattes, which can even be ordered frozen with whipped cream, include interesting flavors such as Flower Power with lavender and honey and Raspberry Truffle with raspberry and dark chocolate. Frappes are also frozen with whipped cream and include caramel and spiced or vanilla chai.
Enlightenment Coffee
11069 Clay Dr., Walton, KY 41094
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Enlightenment Cafe is a welcoming community gathering spot that's the perfect place to meet some friends and catch up over coffee. Its coffee beans are equitably sourced and locally roasted by Carabello Coffee for quality and freshness. Cool off with an iced coffee, including a latte, mocha, chocolate Americano with almond and oat milk, bourbon caramel frappe, or white chocolate raspberry frappe. And while you're sipping your coffee, enjoy a house-made baked good, breakfast burrito, or bagel along with it.
Dreamy Whip
3020 Washington St., Burlington, KY 41005
At Dreamy Whip, you can have your choice of the best of both worlds: a milkshake or an iced coffee. If you're in the mood for a shake, try a chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, peanut butter, or banana variety. And if you'd rather cool off with an iced coffee, try an affogato, which combines ice cream and espresso, or order a frosted coffee. The shop also has food trucks that are dispatched across the area, so check their Facebook page linked above to see a schedule of their next locations.
Sip, Sip, Hooray!
Which is your favorite drink to cool off: a milkshake or an iced coffee?
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