Martin Juredine, Owner of The Barking Spider, Has Passed On - Rest in Peace to the End of a Great Era

Martin Juredine, from his Facebook Profile [1]

My favorite bar, music club and local hang-out in Northeast Ohio (perhaps the world!!!) has always been The Barking Spider, because the owner Martin was always so friendly and cool, making his the coolest place in town. Musicians loved to perform there and be part of the vibe, which was generated by as diverse a crowd as any meeting place could attract - multiracial, diverse, and all ages, including kids. Some of my favorite local musicians played there regularly. I use the past tense, as I was saddened to learn Martin passed on yesterday, February 2, 2011, after a long illness. Even as The Spider lives on, it will never be the same. All those great tunes and times.

I know many realNEO readers knew and loved Martin and The Spider, as well, and will miss Martin's great presence in the place he made so great for so many years - University Circle and Cleveland will never be the same.

Here's a great tribute to the Barking Spider bathroom from MaryBeth Matthews, on realNEO [2]:

The Barking Spider Tavern [3]has been a popular Cleveland watering hole since 1986. Cold pitchers of draft beer and free entertainment make it a favorite of the Case Western Reserve University crowd who are, for the most part, a rather brainy clientele. It is just this combination of alcohol, intellect, and creativity, that brings me to the subject of my post. Add a magic marker to that trifecta, and what you get are the most intriguing restrooms I have ever needed to spend time in.

So... what is a "barking spider"?

You think Martin was saying something important to the establishment, all those years.

No doubt.

Love you Martin... keep us in your aura, and enjoy the afterlife!