Since moving to Cleveland a few months ago, I have been impressed with the amount of great bakeries just in Cleveland Heights- The Stone Oven, Luna, and Zoss have all been terrific on multiple occasions. Recently, I tried out On the Rise, after a lot of hype from various individuals. Over all, I was extremely disappointed. First, I arrive around 12:45 and was informed that they were no longer serving lunch. The girl at the counter seemed to say it with glee, too. Really? No lunch early in the afternoon on a Saturday? Since sandwiches were not an option, I ended up just getting a scone, which was definitely on the dry side with much of the flavor lacking.
The service also was abysmal; the two girls were not necessarily entirely rude, but could hardly be defined as friendly. Welcoming service seems like it should be a critical element in the industry, so I'll admit that an unfriendly encounter will often leave a negative taste in my mouth. Parking is also a problem here. The only real option is street parking, which can be really difficult to find depending on the day/time you are stopping by. There also is not much seating area, so it's more of a grab-n-go type of bakery. Personally, I don't have a problem with that, but be prepared if you are planning to drop by with a friend.
I love Cleveland Heights and the many unique businesses and cafes/restaurants that make up the community. Unfortunately, On the Rise was the first negative experience I've had in the city, probably indicating that it will be a long time before I venture to give it another try.