Stevenson’s burgers might bring up a lot of memories for Euclid residents and visitors to the city, as the bar has been consistently serving up beer and its signature burgers since the 1920’s. Originally on East 238th Street and Lake Shore Boulevard until Euclid almost shut down the location for building violations, it moved to its current location at 800 East 200th Street in 2013. The outside of Stevenson’s, 800 East and 200th Street in Euclid. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) A few changes have been made since then. Perry Ward, the new owner who also has a master’s degree in history from Cleveland State University, said he was drawn to the history of the building and the connection it had with the ever changing neighborhood around it. He said they renovated the ceiling and added TV’s for people to watch sporting events. “I’ve lived my whole life in the Euclid and Collinwood area, and I’ve been in the restaurant and bar industry since I was 14 years old,” Ward said. “Both of my parents were terminally ill, and I left to become their primary caregiver.” Perry Ward stands next to one of the original signs for Stevenson’s. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) He said that after his parents died in January he wanted a change. He decided to buy Stevenson’s shortly after. “I have a master’s degree in history, so it was really the history of Stevenson’s that drew me to it,” Ward said. “The place has been known as the ‘Best Burger in Cleveland’ and has won many awards in the past. “With the renovations I want to tell a story, I want the history to be prominent here because it really wasn’t before,” he added. “The place became a business in 1920 at their Lake Shore location, and in the 1930s they started making burgers.” “They were on the Daily Show once, I have a sign from when they did a skit about it, because when it was at its previous location there was a robbery, and they only stole the lunch meat.” he added. Fries and burgers are seen being prepared inside Stevenson’s. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) He said that for the past 35 years the bar was owned by Bruce Cerne who he continues to be in contact with to make sure the core menu items, like their “Big Guy” burger and Cheeseburger with “The Works” as well as the secretive sauce for their signature burger continue to be made the same way. “He’s doing well now. He’s been in here, and he’s been really supportive,” Ward said about the previous owner. “We are going to be doing something to elevate the menu, but I want to do the main staple burgers that are the classics as close as possible to how he did them. “The neighborhood has really embraced it, I think, and despite the construction I think we are still growing.” Classic bar games can be seen inside Stevenson’s. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) He said that recently, they have switched to being open seven days a week, something that, according to him, has not been done before. The final touches on a chicken sandwich and a burger are seen being prepared inside Stevenson’s. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) Not everything has changed, according to Ward. Their signature burger is still on the menu but he’s working with local chef James Foreman, who has worked on the menu at Paragon and Nectar of the Tupelo, to add new menu items and make it slightly more modern. “With chef James I know we can evaluate things, he’s fresher with local products, rather than a deep-fried menu around the burgers, as well as some vegetarian options with a little more diversity of mostly just a burger and deep-fried food” Ward said. “I think you have to (have more options), palates have changed, health consciousness has changed over the past 100 years. “I think everybody should have a good burger once in a-while, but you can’t do it every day in reality.” Ward added. A take out order is seen before being taken out to the waiting customer. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) Looking ahead, the bar will be holding a Halloween Party on Oct. 26 starting at 7 p.m. until midnight with a DJ, Halloween drinks, and a costume contest with a $300 cash prize for best costume. Perry Ward talks to visitors in his bar. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald.) Ward said he plans on having an updated menu by the holiday’s and is planning a “Bad Santa” Bar Crawl charity event in the winter. Ward said he wants to continue renovations and restore some of the charm that may have faded from the bar in the years it’s been open and moved locations , but he plans on keeping the history very much alive.