A European-style restaurant modeled after Parma Heights' Café Blanc is on track for the historic Berea Union Depot at 30 Depot Street, according to its owner. Volodymyr Yaremko plans a depot-themed dining room packed with train memorabilia and a menu built on the same European sensibilities that power his Parma Heights spot. Before anyone sits down to eat, the sandstone landmark will be stripped back, repaired, and fitted with a new floor as major utilities are replaced. Yaremko is shooting for an opening in about a year.
As reported by Cleveland.com, Yaremko, who runs Café Blanc in Parma Heights, says he has "big plans" for the depot and hopes the project "works out." He told the outlet the building will need new water pipes, gas lines, and electrical wiring, and that crews must peel away several layers of old flooring before installing a new one. He has not yet settled on a name for the restaurant and says updates will be posted on Café Blanc's Instagram. Inside, he plans a look that tips its hat to the depot's rail history while also giving a nod to the Browns' presence in Berea.
Historic Building, New Chapter
According to Wikipedia, the Berea Union Depot was built in 1876, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is known for its sandstone construction and Gothic Revival style. Local listings point out that the building has been home to restaurants for years, with previous tenants including The Pufferbelly and The Station, per BeeAroundTown.
Renovation Plans And Neighborhood Buzz
As detailed by Cleveland.com, Yaremko intends to preserve the depot's sandstone exterior and other historic touches while giving the interior a full depot theme with train memorabilia. The outlet reports that neighbors were largely relieved to see a reuse plan instead of demolition, and that Yaremko hopes construction and permitting move fast enough to keep his roughly one-year timeline alive.
From Parma Heights To Berea
Yaremko is also the owner of Café Blanc in Parma Heights, a European-style cafe profiled by Cleveland Magazine for its light-filled interior and scratch-made menu. The cafe's website lists its address and contact information and links out to its Instagram. The official site is blanc.cafe, which Yaremko says will help carry updates on the Berea project.
If the schedule holds, Berea is about a year away from a restored, restaurant-ready depot. For now, the owner is still working through the details and promises to share progress on Café Blanc's social channels.
