Stories
Improvements being planned for Gordon Square include a $2 million streetscape extension, redevelopment of Detroit Avenue as an arts corridor, and greater connectivity to the lake and surrounding neighborhoods.
It's not just millennials who are looking to ditch the suburban doldrums and get in on the urban excitement. Baby boomers have become the fastest-growing group of people migrating to downtown.
Almost a year ago, Constantino’s Market COO Andrew Revy began planning for a pick-up and delivery service at its Warehouse District location. The market, which has been a downtown presence for 10 years, wanted to find a way to serve its busy customers with an easy way to get basic groceries, stock up for a party, or simply get dinner on the go.
“Everybody needs to eat, but people don’t have time to do shopping,” says Revy. “This is all about ease and lifestyle. We have such busy lives, this has been a driving need.”
A week-and-a-half ago, Constantino’s Warehouse District launched its Fast & Fresh program, which offers online ordering with in-store pickup or delivery within a five mile radius. Users can place an order online and a personal shopper will fulfill the order. The five miles extends west to Lakewood and east to University Circle. “It’s not like if you’re two feet out of the radius we won’t deliver,” Revy says. “We’re flexible.”
If the services go well in the Warehouse District store, Revy says Constantino’s plans to expand the services to its University Circle store and eventually deliver to all of Cuyahoga County.
The service is aimed at Constantino’s existing customer base, which includes the downtown resident population and the workforce. “Everything you would need, whether it’s milk, eggs and bread or if you’re having a party and need beer and wine and snacks, it’s straightforward shopping,” says Revy. “Everything in the store is available for delivery.”
Delivery and pick-up service is available Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Pickup hours are between 5pm and 7pm, delivery is between 6pm and 8pm. There is a $20 minimum for orders. The delivery fee is $5 or 10 percent, whichever is greater. Orders over $150 receive free delivery. The first delivery or pick-up is free.
“Everybody needs to eat, but people don’t have time to do shopping,” says Revy. “This is all about ease and lifestyle. We have such busy lives, this has been a driving need.”
A week-and-a-half ago, Constantino’s Warehouse District launched its Fast & Fresh program, which offers online ordering with in-store pickup or delivery within a five mile radius. Users can place an order online and a personal shopper will fulfill the order. The five miles extends west to Lakewood and east to University Circle. “It’s not like if you’re two feet out of the radius we won’t deliver,” Revy says. “We’re flexible.”
If the services go well in the Warehouse District store, Revy says Constantino’s plans to expand the services to its University Circle store and eventually deliver to all of Cuyahoga County.
The service is aimed at Constantino’s existing customer base, which includes the downtown resident population and the workforce. “Everything you would need, whether it’s milk, eggs and bread or if you’re having a party and need beer and wine and snacks, it’s straightforward shopping,” says Revy. “Everything in the store is available for delivery.”
Delivery and pick-up service is available Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Pickup hours are between 5pm and 7pm, delivery is between 6pm and 8pm. There is a $20 minimum for orders. The delivery fee is $5 or 10 percent, whichever is greater. Orders over $150 receive free delivery. The first delivery or pick-up is free.
This weekend, laugh with the women of Roadkill Comedy Tour, go for a ride with Critical Mass, embrace your inner animal lover at Alley Cat Project’s fundraiser, boogie with Secret Soul Club and attend a conference at CIA on art and community.
Shannon Morris has always been an artist. “Ever since I was little I was very creative and resourceful with materials,” she says. Morris first entered a darkroom at age 13, went to NYU for photography and today works in a variety of media and writes her blog, Electric Belle, from her Cleveland Heights home.
But like most creative types, Morris craved inspiration and collaboration from other artists. So in February, she started Artful, a movement to create an affordable space for local artists to come together and create, collaborate and sell their works.
“I’ve been thinking about this for years, to create a creative environment,” she says. “Ideally it will be studio space, a gallery space, retail and flex space. Art is supposed to be an outlet. Artists would feed off each other and share.”
Artful would be open to all artists. Rent will depend on the space Morris finds, but she plans to keep it affordable. She has been looking at spaces around the east side, but would like to locate in Cleveland Heights. “It just feels like Cleveland Heights is what the place is about,” she says. “We need this in Cleveland Heights because we have many artists and there is no affordable studio space. We have lots of empty buildings and a population that is deeply connected to the arts.”
Eventually Morris would like to add an educational element to Artful. “We would ramp up to a place to host events and education,” she explains. “Especially as the arts are dwindling in our schools, this could be a place where kids can go.”
Within two weeks of creating a group Facebook page, 140 people had joined Artful. Today, there are close to 160 members. Morris has been touring different vacant spaces, and has solicited advice from Artful followers for their ideas and advice about creating a business plan.
Last Sunday she hosted a meeting to discuss ideas for a space and ideas on how Artful can become a thriving part of the Cleveland Heights community. “The energy of the meeting was electric,” says Morris. Artists in all mediums attended, as well as local business owners, residents of all ages and business people willing to help out with the cause. Cleveland Heights city planners and Future Heights have also gotten involved.
But like most creative types, Morris craved inspiration and collaboration from other artists. So in February, she started Artful, a movement to create an affordable space for local artists to come together and create, collaborate and sell their works.
“I’ve been thinking about this for years, to create a creative environment,” she says. “Ideally it will be studio space, a gallery space, retail and flex space. Art is supposed to be an outlet. Artists would feed off each other and share.”
Artful would be open to all artists. Rent will depend on the space Morris finds, but she plans to keep it affordable. She has been looking at spaces around the east side, but would like to locate in Cleveland Heights. “It just feels like Cleveland Heights is what the place is about,” she says. “We need this in Cleveland Heights because we have many artists and there is no affordable studio space. We have lots of empty buildings and a population that is deeply connected to the arts.”
Eventually Morris would like to add an educational element to Artful. “We would ramp up to a place to host events and education,” she explains. “Especially as the arts are dwindling in our schools, this could be a place where kids can go.”
Within two weeks of creating a group Facebook page, 140 people had joined Artful. Today, there are close to 160 members. Morris has been touring different vacant spaces, and has solicited advice from Artful followers for their ideas and advice about creating a business plan.
Last Sunday she hosted a meeting to discuss ideas for a space and ideas on how Artful can become a thriving part of the Cleveland Heights community. “The energy of the meeting was electric,” says Morris. Artists in all mediums attended, as well as local business owners, residents of all ages and business people willing to help out with the cause. Cleveland Heights city planners and Future Heights have also gotten involved.
With the click of an app, a car from Lyft or Uber can be at your door in minutes. Despite controversy, ridesharing services are making it easier to get around Cleveland without worrying about parking and driving.
News stories about the once prosperous inner-ring suburb and home of Rockefeller have focused on the city’s financial struggles. As it continues to grapple with a reduced revenue stream and funding shortfalls, people and organizations are filling a void.
This weekend, spend the day at the Cleveland International Film Festival, express your style at Cleveland Fashion Week, sip a glass of bubbly at the Week of Wine, and party at Near West Theatre’s annual benefit gala.
Before it closed its doors in 2006, the Odeon Concert Club was a famous Flats entertainment venue that once hosted such eclectic acts as Nine Inch Nails, Björk and the Ramones. This spring, the sound of rock music will be shaking the walls of the East Bank club once more.
The Odeon is scheduled for a grand reopening on May 1st, in the same 1,100-capacity spot it held in the old Flats. Cleveland-based heavy metal group Mushroomhead will headline the event, kicking off what owner Mike Tricarichi believes can be a new era for the much loved rock landing place.
"I don't know if people are going to expect a nostalgia trip or whatever," says Tricarichi. "This is going to be a destination compatible with what's forecast to be on the street with the (Flats East Bank) project."
The Odeon's interior is getting revamped for its new iteration, Tricarichi notes. Though the room's basic design will remain unchanged, a new sound and lighting system will be installed. In addition, inside walls will be painted and the club's infamously grotty bathrooms will get an overhaul.
"Everything's going to be fresh," says Tricarichi. "We're trying to make people more comfortable."
Tricarichi, president of Las Vegas-based real estate company Telecom Acquisition Corp., owns both the Odeon and Roc Bar, a 250-capacity club located nearby on Old River Road. He bought the Odeon building in 2007, one year after it shut its doors. The decision to reopen Odeon came in light of early success Tricarichi has had booking acts at Roc Bar, which itself reopened in December.
"We opened Roc expecting it to bring people down here, and it did," Tricarichi says.
Along with Mushroomhead, the Odeon has set a date for a Puddle of Mudd show and is working on bringing in horror punk act the Misfits for an appearance. Tricarichi, who spends part of his time in Las Vegas booking hotel shows, also expects to host comic acts at the refurbished Cleveland club.
"I've produced Andrew Dice Clay shows in Vegas, and he wants to play here," he says.
As Tricarichi owns the building, he views re-opening the Odeon as a worthy, low-risk experiment that can be a key component of a revitalized Flats entertainment scene.
"It's a stepping stone," he says. "We can be a piece of what's happening down there."
The Odeon is scheduled for a grand reopening on May 1st, in the same 1,100-capacity spot it held in the old Flats. Cleveland-based heavy metal group Mushroomhead will headline the event, kicking off what owner Mike Tricarichi believes can be a new era for the much loved rock landing place.
"I don't know if people are going to expect a nostalgia trip or whatever," says Tricarichi. "This is going to be a destination compatible with what's forecast to be on the street with the (Flats East Bank) project."
The Odeon's interior is getting revamped for its new iteration, Tricarichi notes. Though the room's basic design will remain unchanged, a new sound and lighting system will be installed. In addition, inside walls will be painted and the club's infamously grotty bathrooms will get an overhaul.
"Everything's going to be fresh," says Tricarichi. "We're trying to make people more comfortable."
Tricarichi, president of Las Vegas-based real estate company Telecom Acquisition Corp., owns both the Odeon and Roc Bar, a 250-capacity club located nearby on Old River Road. He bought the Odeon building in 2007, one year after it shut its doors. The decision to reopen Odeon came in light of early success Tricarichi has had booking acts at Roc Bar, which itself reopened in December.
"We opened Roc expecting it to bring people down here, and it did," Tricarichi says.
Along with Mushroomhead, the Odeon has set a date for a Puddle of Mudd show and is working on bringing in horror punk act the Misfits for an appearance. Tricarichi, who spends part of his time in Las Vegas booking hotel shows, also expects to host comic acts at the refurbished Cleveland club.
"I've produced Andrew Dice Clay shows in Vegas, and he wants to play here," he says.
As Tricarichi owns the building, he views re-opening the Odeon as a worthy, low-risk experiment that can be a key component of a revitalized Flats entertainment scene.
"It's a stepping stone," he says. "We can be a piece of what's happening down there."
The Cleveland Clinic and NASA Glenn Research Center have often worked together for the past 15 years on solving the problems astronauts face in space.
“We have a small but very impressive group solving astronaut health issues,” says John Sankovic, director of technology, incubation and innovation at NASA Glenn and the center’s chief technology officer. “We solve problems like how do we generate IV fluids and medications to treat astronauts during space flights or improve exercise. A lot of that work has been done at the Cleveland Clinic.”
Earlier this month, Cleveland Clinic Innovations (CCI) and NASA Glenn officially came together in a partnership to develop products useful both on Earth and in outer space. The two organizations will now work together on Glen's technologies to see how they can be applied to healthcare and perhaps create new businesses.
“This is a new effort at taking technologies and opening up our portfolio, and through a different lens looking at how to apply them to the biotech arena,” says Sankovic. “It’s research and technology for the benefit of all.”
In addition to the partnership with CCI, the commercial development arm of the Clinic, NASA Glenn will also join CCI’s Global Healthcare Innovations Alliance, which is a worldwide network of healthcare systems, academic institutions and corporate partners.
“The Clinic has a longstanding relationship with NASA in looking for a way to help with our shared vision of helping others,” says Brian Kolonick, general manager of the Healthcare Innovations Alliance. “There are a lot of resources going on over at Glenn and they have a lot of ideas that they’re using. There’s a way to find an intersection that may translate into helping patients here on land.”
Together, NASA Glenn and CCI expect new spinoff companies, and ultimately jobs, to come out of the partnership. “We’re really excited about what Innovations has been doing,” says Kolonick. “We’re at the forefront of looking at new business and turning these into products. We’re just getting started. NASA will assign someone to work with us directly, get to know us and see the work we do. They have a portfolio of patents available for licensing for any business.”
“We have a small but very impressive group solving astronaut health issues,” says John Sankovic, director of technology, incubation and innovation at NASA Glenn and the center’s chief technology officer. “We solve problems like how do we generate IV fluids and medications to treat astronauts during space flights or improve exercise. A lot of that work has been done at the Cleveland Clinic.”
Earlier this month, Cleveland Clinic Innovations (CCI) and NASA Glenn officially came together in a partnership to develop products useful both on Earth and in outer space. The two organizations will now work together on Glen's technologies to see how they can be applied to healthcare and perhaps create new businesses.
“This is a new effort at taking technologies and opening up our portfolio, and through a different lens looking at how to apply them to the biotech arena,” says Sankovic. “It’s research and technology for the benefit of all.”
In addition to the partnership with CCI, the commercial development arm of the Clinic, NASA Glenn will also join CCI’s Global Healthcare Innovations Alliance, which is a worldwide network of healthcare systems, academic institutions and corporate partners.
“The Clinic has a longstanding relationship with NASA in looking for a way to help with our shared vision of helping others,” says Brian Kolonick, general manager of the Healthcare Innovations Alliance. “There are a lot of resources going on over at Glenn and they have a lot of ideas that they’re using. There’s a way to find an intersection that may translate into helping patients here on land.”
Together, NASA Glenn and CCI expect new spinoff companies, and ultimately jobs, to come out of the partnership. “We’re really excited about what Innovations has been doing,” says Kolonick. “We’re at the forefront of looking at new business and turning these into products. We’re just getting started. NASA will assign someone to work with us directly, get to know us and see the work we do. They have a portfolio of patents available for licensing for any business.”
You've likely driven by the Cultural Gardens many times, but have you stopped and experienced them? Here's the story of one person's discovery of what the Gardens mean, to him and possibly the rest of us too.
A partnership between product design innovation firm Nottingham Spirk and CWRU’s think[box] is designed to both inspire new inventions and bring existing ideas to fruition. CWRU announced late last month that Nottingham Spirk, known for creations like the Dirt Devil vacuum and the SpinBrush toothbrush, will work with Case faculty and students on the first floor of the new think[box] facility, scheduled to open in the fall.
The partnership was announced by John Nottingham and John Spirk, both Cleveland Institute of Art graduates, at Case’s Engineering Week banquet on February 26, during which they were the keynote speakers.
The idea is to build on Nottingham Spirk’s reputation for creating innovative products in the consumer and medical device fields by helping faculty members, and eventually students, fully develop their own ideas.
“We’re creating a partnership in innovation that they can see what the faculty are doing and what might be applicable to their work,” explains Jeff Duerk, dean of the engineering school. “They’ll be brainstorming how to take them to the next level. Nottingham Spirk is the premier design and innovation company in the United States. They’re like Reese’s Cups – they bring things together in such an obvious way. This is about how to take high-quality concepts and bring them to market faster.”
Bill Nottingham calls think[box] the “nexus” between Case’s seven schools and the CIA. “The greatest thing that can happen is we work together to promote more successes,” he says. “Hearing about think[box] and what they are doing to promote innovation, and hearing about the startups going on right down the hill from us, it’s really exciting.”
Nottingham sees the potential between the two organizations as unlimited. “There are going to be disruptive innovations that come out of think[box] based on the CWRU and Nottingham Spirk collaboration,” he says. “Our success is only as good as our relationships.”
The details of programs with students under the partnership have yet to be worked out, says Duerk, but should be soon.
The partnership was announced by John Nottingham and John Spirk, both Cleveland Institute of Art graduates, at Case’s Engineering Week banquet on February 26, during which they were the keynote speakers.
The idea is to build on Nottingham Spirk’s reputation for creating innovative products in the consumer and medical device fields by helping faculty members, and eventually students, fully develop their own ideas.
“We’re creating a partnership in innovation that they can see what the faculty are doing and what might be applicable to their work,” explains Jeff Duerk, dean of the engineering school. “They’ll be brainstorming how to take them to the next level. Nottingham Spirk is the premier design and innovation company in the United States. They’re like Reese’s Cups – they bring things together in such an obvious way. This is about how to take high-quality concepts and bring them to market faster.”
Bill Nottingham calls think[box] the “nexus” between Case’s seven schools and the CIA. “The greatest thing that can happen is we work together to promote more successes,” he says. “Hearing about think[box] and what they are doing to promote innovation, and hearing about the startups going on right down the hill from us, it’s really exciting.”
Nottingham sees the potential between the two organizations as unlimited. “There are going to be disruptive innovations that come out of think[box] based on the CWRU and Nottingham Spirk collaboration,” he says. “Our success is only as good as our relationships.”
The details of programs with students under the partnership have yet to be worked out, says Duerk, but should be soon.
Brian Schaffran has been riding motorcycles for 15 years, starting with a 1978 Honda CB750 he found on the side of the road in his hometown of Strongsville. He quickly fell in love, not just with the romantic notion of riding itself, but with the restoration and maintenance required to make his baby street-ready.
"There's a gratifying aspect to fixing something with your own hands," says Schaffran, 43.
A mechanical-minded DIY attitude is something Schaffran aims to impart with Skidmark Garage, a 2,800-square foot space for riders to roll in and work on their choppers, crotch rockets, hogs or other hotrodding euphemism of choice.
The garage, located in the Hildebrandt Building on the corner of Clark Avenue and Fulton Road in downtown Cleveland, will rent out tools, lifts and storage bays to motorcycle enthusiasts. If all goes well, the space will also create a community of folks to share advice, spare parts and perhaps a beer or two while they maintain their rides.
"I'm not a mechanic," says Schaffran, a former history and computer teacher at Saint Martin de Porres High School. "I'm providing a place to hang out and work on your bike."
Although the space is open for business, its owner is preparing for a grand opening celebration scheduled for May 2. Schaffran hopes to draw not just current riders, but people from surrounding city neighborhoods who don't yet own a motorcycle as apartment life leaves them few storage options.
"My average customer will probably be a guy in his 20s who bought some used piece of junk and doesn't have anywhere to put it," says Schaffran.
The bike-loving entrepreneur has been sitting on the idea for a community fix-it clubhouse since he himself was in his 20s. Living in Los Angeles at the time, Schaffran would borrow tools from friendly mechanics and tinker with his vehicles at home.
"Friends would come over and work in my garage, too," he says. "I thought how cool it would be to have a place with a couple of lifts for people to work on their vehicles."
Schaffran has excitedly expanded that picture in his head now that it's becoming closer to reality. "I can see a garage full of 10 or 15 guys helping each other out and fixing their bikes, no matter what time of day, then leaving here feeling like they accomplished something huge," he says.
"There's a gratifying aspect to fixing something with your own hands," says Schaffran, 43.
A mechanical-minded DIY attitude is something Schaffran aims to impart with Skidmark Garage, a 2,800-square foot space for riders to roll in and work on their choppers, crotch rockets, hogs or other hotrodding euphemism of choice.
The garage, located in the Hildebrandt Building on the corner of Clark Avenue and Fulton Road in downtown Cleveland, will rent out tools, lifts and storage bays to motorcycle enthusiasts. If all goes well, the space will also create a community of folks to share advice, spare parts and perhaps a beer or two while they maintain their rides.
"I'm not a mechanic," says Schaffran, a former history and computer teacher at Saint Martin de Porres High School. "I'm providing a place to hang out and work on your bike."
Although the space is open for business, its owner is preparing for a grand opening celebration scheduled for May 2. Schaffran hopes to draw not just current riders, but people from surrounding city neighborhoods who don't yet own a motorcycle as apartment life leaves them few storage options.
"My average customer will probably be a guy in his 20s who bought some used piece of junk and doesn't have anywhere to put it," says Schaffran.
The bike-loving entrepreneur has been sitting on the idea for a community fix-it clubhouse since he himself was in his 20s. Living in Los Angeles at the time, Schaffran would borrow tools from friendly mechanics and tinker with his vehicles at home.
"Friends would come over and work in my garage, too," he says. "I thought how cool it would be to have a place with a couple of lifts for people to work on their vehicles."
Schaffran has excitedly expanded that picture in his head now that it's becoming closer to reality. "I can see a garage full of 10 or 15 guys helping each other out and fixing their bikes, no matter what time of day, then leaving here feeling like they accomplished something huge," he says.
Great Lakes NeuroTechnologies (GLNT), which develops biomedical technologies for research, education, and medical communities, wants to introduce high school students to the many careers available in biomedical engineering. So the company is hosting a “Crash Course in Biomedical Engineering” on Wednesday, April 1st from 4 pm to 6:30 pm at its Valley View Offices.
“We recognize that biomedical engineering is just a huge area of growth, it’s just booming,” says Lori Grimm, marketing manager for GLNT. “It’s a vast field and people may not know just what it’s about, so we’re launching this course to give people an idea.”
GLNT researchers and engineers will lead discussions in a five areas: medical device development; biomedical research; software programming; product manufacturing; and biomedical career paths. While targeted at high school seniors, the event of open to all high school students. Students will also have the chance to talk to the speakers.
"We want to educate seniors in biomedical engineering to inspire them to move on and explore careers in the field,” says Grim. “Lots of kids hear ‘biomedical engineering’ and it sounds intimidating. But actually, it’s s really exciting field.”
Grim admits the motivation is somewhat “selfish” on GLNT’s part, as the hope is that the event will attract students to the field and in turn bring more qualified applicants to the Cleveland area. “Some areas, like research, we don’t have much of a problem,” says Grim, adding that GLNT just hired four new researchers. “But software engineers, that’s a little bit tougher.”
The program is also part of GLNT’s ongoing mission to give back to the community and educate students on STEM subjects. Additionally, the company gives away two $1,000 scholarships annually to Northeast Ohio high school seniors planning on studying biomedical engineering in college.
The Crash Course event is free, but registration is required by March 23. Contact Sara Rini to register or for more information. The application deadline for the scholarships is April 30.
“We recognize that biomedical engineering is just a huge area of growth, it’s just booming,” says Lori Grimm, marketing manager for GLNT. “It’s a vast field and people may not know just what it’s about, so we’re launching this course to give people an idea.”
GLNT researchers and engineers will lead discussions in a five areas: medical device development; biomedical research; software programming; product manufacturing; and biomedical career paths. While targeted at high school seniors, the event of open to all high school students. Students will also have the chance to talk to the speakers.
"We want to educate seniors in biomedical engineering to inspire them to move on and explore careers in the field,” says Grim. “Lots of kids hear ‘biomedical engineering’ and it sounds intimidating. But actually, it’s s really exciting field.”
Grim admits the motivation is somewhat “selfish” on GLNT’s part, as the hope is that the event will attract students to the field and in turn bring more qualified applicants to the Cleveland area. “Some areas, like research, we don’t have much of a problem,” says Grim, adding that GLNT just hired four new researchers. “But software engineers, that’s a little bit tougher.”
The program is also part of GLNT’s ongoing mission to give back to the community and educate students on STEM subjects. Additionally, the company gives away two $1,000 scholarships annually to Northeast Ohio high school seniors planning on studying biomedical engineering in college.
The Crash Course event is free, but registration is required by March 23. Contact Sara Rini to register or for more information. The application deadline for the scholarships is April 30.
When kids commit themselves to an art form, they gain self-confidence and set high expectations for themselves. How do we create more access to arts education for youth in urban neighborhoods?