Chagrin Falls Is Cleveland's Best Suburb of 2026

Local business owners and longtime residents explain how the neighborhood continues to foster a strong sense of connection.

by Christina Rufo | Jun. 2, 2026 | 5:00 AM

Courtesy Etalian

Halle Bargar has lived in Chagrin Falls most of her life. After briefly leaving during her college years, she returned more than 25 years ago, later raising all three of her children within the same tight-knit network she grew up around.

For Bargar, the charm of the city comes from its small-town familiarity and walkability. In the afternoons, she says, children still walk home from school with volunteers, many connected through generations of local families, serving as crossing guards downtown. Former classmates now teach in the schools, coach youth sports and remain deeply woven into daily life.

Photographed by Erik Dorst

Bargar describes it as a place where neighbors naturally look out for one another.

“The whole community is helping raise your kids because everybody seems to know each other in some regard,” she says.

That same familiar spirit inspired Dawn Kilday to open her own storefront, Bella Chanela Boutique, after previously working at White Magnolia. Kilday says the support system among residents and business owners made taking the leap feel possible.

“There’s so many events here throughout the year to bring people in,” Kilday says. “Everyone has each other’s back. It’s like Pleasantville.”

At Etalian, owner Eddie Tancredi sees that support firsthand. He recently moved to Chagrin Falls and is celebrating five years of business on Bell Street after spending much of his younger years working at the original Dave’s Cosmic Subs just around the corner.

Customers regularly stop to chat, get to know the staff and build relationships, showing how to be a good neighbor.

“There’s so much support here as a business owner,” Tancredi says.

The restaurant’s ties to the community are visible everywhere — in the athletic flyers taped to the windows, in the local students who work there after school, and in the discounted pizzas Tancredi offers students and teachers.

Photographed by Paul Sableman via wikimedia

Through the years working at Evergreen Bakery and The Spice & Tea Exchange, Jasmine Renee has watched friendly relationships between Downtown businesses and their customers evolve into something more personal.

“It’s always very welcoming coming back,” Renee says. “Our regulars are wonderful. You get to see people’s kids grow up when they come in all the time.”

For Renee, the Falls’ charm feels almost cinematic. She compares it to the fictional town of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls or the familiarity of a Hallmark movie.

“Chagrin Falls isn’t only a good place to visit, it’s very comforting,” Renee says.

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Christina Rufo

Christina is a passionate reporter on Cleveland's culture and dining scene, compiling Cleveland Magazine's monthly dining guide. A graduate of West Virginia University's journalism school and the New York University Publishing Institute, her work celebrates the people, plates and parties that make Northeast Ohio shine.