Red Tail is home to many wonderful families, and the Lis family—Johnny, Brittney, Emma (6), and Ellie (4)—is no exception. Along with their two cats, Snowball and Cocoa Puff, they have enjoyed calling the neighborhood home for the past three and a half years and have quickly embraced the strong sense of community that makes Red Tail so special.

Johnny is the owner of Pizza 216 in downtown Cleveland and is currently preparing to open a second location in Avon. The new restaurant will be located in the former Avon Brewing space on Detroit Road and is undergoing an exciting interior remodel. Johnny is looking forward to bringing a fun, family-friendly dining experience to the area and connecting with local families.

Brittney is a Foot and Ankle Physician who operates her own private practice through Premier Physicians in Westlake. Her dedication to patient care and her entrepreneurial spirit make her an important part of the local medical community.

The couple’s story began long before their move to Red Tail. Brittney grew up in Vermilion, Ohio, while Johnny was raised in Michigan. Their friendly rivalry started in college—Brittney graduated from The University of Mount Union, while Johnny attended John Carroll University.

Today, much of their time is spent enjoying family life and supporting their daughters’ many activities. Emma participates in tap and ballet at Miss Kristin’s Dance Studio, cheerleading at Top Gun, gymnastics at NEO Motion Academy, seasonal soccer, and swimming. Ellie also keeps busy with soccer, swimming, and gymnastics.

When the Lis family isn’t attending practices or games, they enjoy making the most of everything Northeast Ohio has to offer. During the summer months, they can often be found at the Red Tail pool, spending the day at Cedar Point, watching sunsets at Huntington Beach, or visiting local playgrounds. In the winter, they like to keep the kids active with indoor play spaces such as D&R Playground and Kids Empire at the North Olmsted mall.

Travel is another favorite pastime for the family. Brittney especially loves tropical destinations, with favorite spots including Turks & Caicos, St. John, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Saona Island off the coast of the Dominican Republic. Johnny enjoys cruises for the variety of activities they offer. Emma and Ellie have also embraced the family’s love of travel, enjoying trips to Myrtle Beach, Pigeon Forge, and Disney World.

Food plays an important role in their family life as well. Both Brittney and Johnny come from Polish backgrounds and enjoy traditional European comfort foods. Brittney often prepares her grandmother’s cabbage and noodles with kielbasa, while Johnny enjoys cooking dishes such as stuffed cabbage, chicken paprikash, spaetzle, and sauerkraut. Johnny also enjoys bowling, golfing, cooking, hosting dinner parties, and socializing, while Brittney spends her downtime reading, working on puzzles, and taking walks or bike rides around the neighborhood.

Their favorite local restaurants include La Campagna, Luca, and White Oak. When it comes to entertainment, Brittney’s favorite movie is The Proposal, while Johnny’s is The Shawshank Redemption. The family also enjoys listening to country and pop music. Johnny is a dedicated Cleveland sports fan who cheers on the Guardians, Cavaliers, and Browns—remaining optimistic every season, just like any true Cleveland fan.

Family traditions are a meaningful part of life in the Lis household. Each year since their daughters were babies, they have taken a Christmas photo with the same Santa and Mrs. Claus in the same location. They also share a daily dinner tradition where they sing a thankful song and each talk about their favorite part of the day. This year, they added a new tradition—a family memory jar where they place notes throughout the year and open them together on New Year’s Eve.

What the Lis family loves most about living in Red Tail is the friendly, close-knit community. The events at the Clubhouse and the summer days spent at the pool make it easy to connect with neighbors and create lasting friendships. For the Lis family, Red Tail isn’t just a neighborhood—it’s home.