Beach Club Grill in Concord Township has elements of property's former tenant and proprietors' Euclid eatery

By Brandon C. Baker
BBaker@News-Herald.com

The Jurcisin brothers painted the walls and added new granite bar tops, but they didn't want to change too much in their operation.

They opened the Beach Club Grill in July in Concord Township and elected to keep things similar to their existing restaurant in Euclid, while also maintaining some elements from the previous restaurant that called the Johnnycake Ridge Road location home.

The lounge/bar and dining room split design from the previous Epiq Bistro remains intact, and ditto for the names on the Beach Club Grill's pizza menu — even though they represent the names of lakefront streets, neighborhoods, clubs and schools near the Jurcisins' Beach Club Bistro in Euclid.

"With so many people from Lake County that have been customers (at the Euclid restaurant), if I change the names, there would be a lot of confusion," said Greg Jurcisin, who co-owns both restaurants with his brother, Michael. "Just leave it the same because people know it, and it's got some history."

Those Lake County residents who support the Euclid restaurant, which remains open, will be counted on to help the Jurcisins' new restaurant make its own history. So far, Greg says the patrons are equally divided between those who recognize the location because of Epiq and those who recognize the Beach Club name from Euclid. The co-owner believes Concord and Mentor residents, in particular, will appreciate the proximity of the new restaurant, as well as its blend of "American, eclectic fine dining" and casualness.

"We're part of the baby boomer generation, and they wanna just socialize, sit at the bar, eat and have their cocktails," Greg said. "They're close to home at a neighborhood place where they can say, 'I can sit down and have a $35 steak, or I can just come and have a good sandwich, pizza or one of the micro brews.' They're comfortable."

The dining area fits about 70 customers, while the lounge and patio areas, along with their accompanying bars combine to hold at least another 130. The menu mostly mirrors the brothers' Euclid restaurant, but has been upgraded with ribeye, fillet and flat iron steaks.

Like the bistro in Euclid, the Beach Club is popular for its pizza and appetizers. However, items like pad Thai bowls with chicken, shrimp, grilled tilapia or vegetables have been hits and exemplify the menu's range. The restaurant offers 16 microbrews, along with a half-bottle wine list nearing 100 choices.

"The people in this area have been great so far," Michael said of his new clientele. "They're excited to have something in their backyard."

Michael's brother said part of their happiness likely has to do with a desire for more independent, locally run restaurants. The Jurcisins realized this years ago when they joined Cleveland Independents, a group of 80 locally owned and operated restaurants whose owners join together for marketing and promotional purposes.

"It speaks to the fact that independent restaurants are doing well in Cleveland," said Myra Orenstein, executive director of Cleveland Independents. "People look for something that is unique and has a different menu and atmosphere than a chain.

"There is a need for more independent restaurants in the area they opened up in."