Poppy
[Cleveland, OH] Margaret Mueller was something of a community legend in Cleveland. In addition to her civic leadership and involvement in neighborhood transformation, Mueller ran for U.S. Congress three times.
After a full life, she passed away in 2018. But not before one final achievement.
“At 79 years old, after the passing of her husband, she opened a restaurant on Larchmere Boulevard in Cleveland called Felice Urban Caf,” Mueller’s obituary reads. “She bought and renovated two neglected houses across the street from the restaurant and moved into one of them.
“She delighted in sitting on her front porch watching the flow of neighbors and diners.”
And, though, Felice Urban Caf is now also history, Jessica Parkison, the co-owner of Salt+ restaurant was intrigued.
The warm and woodsy Craftsman-style home inspired her to open a restaurant in the house and name it after her grandmother, Poppy.
“Our idea about Poppy really flourished when we saw the space and the legacy of Margaret Mueller left behind. We were told stories of Margaret, and she was almost always said to be a ‘force,’ ‘bad ass,’ and a broad. All things that my grandmother encompassed.”
And so, we have Poppy.
The menu from James Beard-recognized (and Salt+ co-owner) Chef Jill Vedaa is influenced by California-style cuisine.
“Our vision will be much similar with a traditional menu, apps, soup/salad, entrees,” Parkinson adds. “Our mission statement? Not sure if we really have one, other than everyone has a seat at the table.”
Poppy opened in Cleveland’s Larchmere neighborhood on Mar. 10, 2023. Pull up a chair and be welcomed by the legacy and vision of some bad-ass women.
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