CLEVELAND — A piece of Cleveland history, at the end of one of the city’s most unique streets, is looking for a new address.
Moriarty’s Pub has been at the intersection of East 6th Street and “Short Vincent” for more than a century, first as a speakeasy before being able to operate within the law.
“This bar survived a lot,” said owner Morgan Cavanaugh. “I mean, the Great Depression, Great Recession, Economic Downturn.”
After all that, what will likely force Moriarty’s Pub out is not the future chapter title in a history book. It seems like it’ll be the building’s new owners.
“There was talk about it throughout the summer and then there was never any final definition until sometime this fall,” said Cavanaugh.
Cavanaugh says he and his neighboring businesses in the Baker Building were told they’d have to go over the summer. He says he’s been given until the end of the year after paying his lease month-to-month for a while.
Cuyahoga County Property records show the Baker Building was purchased by 1900 EAST 6TH STREET, LLC on January 27, 2020, from DIAMOND INVESTMENT GROUP BUILDING, LLC.
1900 EAST 6TH STREET, LLC’s Ohio Secretary of State certificate has a reference to “Walton Enterprises” of Bentonville, Arkansas.
That’s the city where the retail giant Walmart has its headquarters and is still controlled by the Walton family, which founded the company.
News 5 Cleveland reached out to the Walton family, Walmart, and the new management company handling the Baker Building and we haven’t heard back.
“All I’ve heard is maybe [it’ll be] a hotel and they’re going to play upon the historical value of [the building,]” said Cavanaugh.
Which, he says, is sort of ironic, since they’re telling Moritary’s Pub it has to go.
“Short Vincent,” or Vincent Avenue, used to house the Hollenden Hotel and a wide range of landmark Cleveland restaurants and other businesses, some more "respectable" than others.
The Hollenden has been replaced by the Fifth Third Center and its parking structure, while the rest was replaced by other redevelopments.
“The most historic place on the street, I believe, besides the Federal Reserve, is the little pub here,” said Cavanaugh.
Cavanaugh says a 2020 filled with COVID social distancing means he’s done a fraction of the business he normally does, especially since St. Patrick’s Day activities were among the first coronavirus cancellations.
So far, his GoFundMe campaign has raised a little more than $13,000 to help with the move to another still-to-be-determined Downtown Cleveland location.
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