Stories

Reflecting on five years
In September, Fresh Water marked its five-year anniversary. Photographer Bob Perkoski captures the time in this slide show.
From guitar picks to pop-ups: the top Fresh Water stories of 2015
A lot has happened this year in Cleveland. From new businesses to innovative ideas,  Fresh Water looks back at the top 10 stories of 2015.
Five ways to help this holiday season
It's the season of giving, but these organizations need folks to give all year long.
Geiger’s offers personal assistance to busy downtown holiday shoppers
Business has been booming at Geiger’s since the sporting goods retailer opened its third location downtown last month. “Things have been going really well,” says co-owner Gordon Geiger. “We’re quite pleased with the traffic and the acceptance of the store.”
 
Geiger admits there has been a learning curve to running the store in a downtown environment, as opposed to its Chagrin Falls and Lakewood locations, but the owners have consulted with the owners of neighboring Heinen’s about how to adapt.
 
Then, in a brainstorming session, Geiger’s management came up with an idea that not only returns to the era of personalized service during the holidays, it saves time for busy downtown residents and shoppers.

Geiger’s will offer personalized shopping for its customers during the holiday season.
 
“You have to be a good listener and trust your instincts,” says Geiger of his consultation with Tom and Jeff Heinen on the new store. “We realized the solution of personalized service could be of some value to our downtown clientele.”
 
Geiger says the idea came out of brainstorming session in which that staff were recalling the days at department stores like Bonwit Teller and Halle’s department stores. “Those were the heydays of retail,” says Geiger. “It was a high level of service era, one which we hope will be once again.”
 
Shoppers can call (216) 755-4500 to make an appointment and share their gift lists. A personal shopper will then bring a selection of gifts for everyone on the customer’s list. Customers can enjoy a coffee or another beverage while relaxing.
 
“If they don’t know what they want to get, we can make some nice suggestions,” says Geiger. “In the 11th hour there may be some interest in this sort of thing for last minute shoppers.”
 
Customers can make appointments during business hours, but after-hours exceptions can be made. The service includes free gift wrapping.
 
The service runs through Sunday, Dec. 20. Geiger says they may extend the service year-round if there’s demand for it.
A road less traveled: The attempted revival of Willey Avenue
Willey Avenue connects Tremont and Ohio City, but the often-forgotten street needs repairs and renovations to keep up with the demands of a growing residential neighborhood.
Sculptor Chakaia Booker's exhibit opens CIA Reinberger Gallery
The Reinberger Gallery kicks off its visiting artist series with internationally acclaimed sculptor Chakaia Booker's Take the Highway exhibit.
Cleveland Confidential: the mysteries of Willey Avenue
Rudy’s Pub to fill former Cedar Lee Pub space on Lee Road