A very unique and special piece of northeast Ohio dining history recently was discovered in a barn that straddles land parcels in Gates Mills and Hunting Valley. The heavily tax delinquent parcels were acquired by the Cuyahoga Land Bank through tax forfeiture. The iconic Red Fox Inn sign hung for many years in front of the legendary restaurant in Gates Mills that was destroyed by fire in 1983. The Cuyahoga Land Bank acquired the tax forfeited vacant land last year with the intent of demolishing the dilapidated barn and preparing the land for future development.
The restaurant sign was found among the assorted contents in the barn, salvaged, and finally presented to the Gates Mills Historical Society at a recent city council meeting. Excited to accept the sign into the local archives are pictured (l. to r.) Gates Mills Mayor Karen Schneider, Marcia Anselmo, president of the Gates Mills Historical Society, Gus Frangos, President and General Counsel of the Cuyahoga Land Bank, and Gates Mills Service Director Dave Biggert. Mayor Schneider presented the sign to the historical society to the applause of the City Council and those in the audience. “We are very happy to present this special item of Gates Mills’ history where it can be preserved,” said Schneider.