Stories
"Events like TEDxCLE are changing how people feel about Cleveland and rebranding the city," says founder Hallie Bram Kogelschatz. More than simply inspirational, the annual event is about "inspiration turned into action." Despite a larger space -- the 700-seat Gartner Auditorium at the Cleveland Museum of Art -- all tickets still managed to sell out in minutes. Here's a sample of what's in store.
Imagine eating chef-made meals from food grown right around the corner. That’s the dream Brian Doyle had when he created Sow Food last year, which is a catering business built around locally-grown food.
”Last year my wife Jennifer and I wanted to create a business that was full-circle,” Doyle explains. “We wanted to add a farming component to our catering business because we were interested in adding food in areas considered food deserts.”
Doyle found a plot of land on W. 47th Street and Lorain Avenue in the Cleveland area using the land bank. There, he has created a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model that combines local farming with catering.
Members buy a share in the farm in exchange for gourmet meals prepared by chef Doyle. During the growing season -- June through September -- members get three meals for two people each week. The cost is $1,520 for 16 weeks of food presented in re-usable containers. Subscribers pick up their meals each week at the farm.
Doyle creates the meals from the farm produce while supplementing it with other locally grown meats and cheeses. “We try to feature other local producers of value added goods,” he says. “You’ll never find a national brand item in our bag.”
Last year, Sow Food had 10 customers. This year, the company already has 10 customers signed up. Doyle hopes to get to 30 customers, but will cap it at 50. “We’re thinking in small increments of growth,” he says.
Sow Food has two full-time employees and two seasonal employees. If they reach their targeted growth, Doyle plans to hire an additional full-time employee and two part-time employees.
Sow Food sub-leased kitchen space from a couple restaurants. This year, Doyle is hoping to find a permanent space.
Source: Brian Doyle
Writer: Karin Connelly
”Last year my wife Jennifer and I wanted to create a business that was full-circle,” Doyle explains. “We wanted to add a farming component to our catering business because we were interested in adding food in areas considered food deserts.”
Doyle found a plot of land on W. 47th Street and Lorain Avenue in the Cleveland area using the land bank. There, he has created a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model that combines local farming with catering.
Members buy a share in the farm in exchange for gourmet meals prepared by chef Doyle. During the growing season -- June through September -- members get three meals for two people each week. The cost is $1,520 for 16 weeks of food presented in re-usable containers. Subscribers pick up their meals each week at the farm.
Doyle creates the meals from the farm produce while supplementing it with other locally grown meats and cheeses. “We try to feature other local producers of value added goods,” he says. “You’ll never find a national brand item in our bag.”
Last year, Sow Food had 10 customers. This year, the company already has 10 customers signed up. Doyle hopes to get to 30 customers, but will cap it at 50. “We’re thinking in small increments of growth,” he says.
Sow Food has two full-time employees and two seasonal employees. If they reach their targeted growth, Doyle plans to hire an additional full-time employee and two part-time employees.
Sow Food sub-leased kitchen space from a couple restaurants. This year, Doyle is hoping to find a permanent space.
Source: Brian Doyle
Writer: Karin Connelly
10 quintessential u.s. meals and where to get them
CNN recentlly published a list of "10 quintessential U.S. meals and where to get them."
"Grilled, fried, slathered in cheese, wolfed down on a street corner. These timeless stateside feeds never disappoint," states the travel feature.
Under the headline "Steak," reads the following:
"Just about every U.S. city has its legendary steak place, but Michael Symon’s Roast in Detroit is the one that sizzles in our dreams.
"The restaurant is located inside the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit hotel, but executive chef Andy Hollyday says don’t be intimidated by the valet or linen. Waiters here wear jeans and the loose, happy-hour vibe at the bar sets the tone for the restaurant.
"Hollyday’s favorite is the 450-gram house-aged rib-eye, aged for three weeks, then grilled over hardwood charcoal and topped with a marinade of orange juice, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and roasted blue cheese."
Read the whole list here.
"Grilled, fried, slathered in cheese, wolfed down on a street corner. These timeless stateside feeds never disappoint," states the travel feature.
Under the headline "Steak," reads the following:
"Just about every U.S. city has its legendary steak place, but Michael Symon’s Roast in Detroit is the one that sizzles in our dreams.
"The restaurant is located inside the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit hotel, but executive chef Andy Hollyday says don’t be intimidated by the valet or linen. Waiters here wear jeans and the loose, happy-hour vibe at the bar sets the tone for the restaurant.
"Hollyday’s favorite is the 450-gram house-aged rib-eye, aged for three weeks, then grilled over hardwood charcoal and topped with a marinade of orange juice, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and roasted blue cheese."
Read the whole list here.
wall street journal touts rock hall archives opening
A recent item in the Wall Street Journal highlighted the opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame archives.
"The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation is best known for its raucous induction ceremonies -- on April 15, acts including the Beastie Boys, Guns N' Roses and the Miracles will be welcomed into the fold. But today, the 29-year-old institution is emphasizing a quieter aspect of its mission with the grand opening of a new library and archives facility near its Cleveland, Ohio, headquarters."
"The library's collection spans more than 3,500 books, 1,400 audio recordings and 270 videos. It includes contracts, correspondence and photographs donated by industry icons such as Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley's original guitarist, whose papers were recently acquired. The Rock Hall had been accumulating such materials for years, but it was difficult for the public to access them; there wasn't much room for storage and research in the museum's pyramid-shaped headquarters."
Read the rest here.
"The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation is best known for its raucous induction ceremonies -- on April 15, acts including the Beastie Boys, Guns N' Roses and the Miracles will be welcomed into the fold. But today, the 29-year-old institution is emphasizing a quieter aspect of its mission with the grand opening of a new library and archives facility near its Cleveland, Ohio, headquarters."
"The library's collection spans more than 3,500 books, 1,400 audio recordings and 270 videos. It includes contracts, correspondence and photographs donated by industry icons such as Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley's original guitarist, whose papers were recently acquired. The Rock Hall had been accumulating such materials for years, but it was difficult for the public to access them; there wasn't much room for storage and research in the museum's pyramid-shaped headquarters."
Read the rest here.
oregonian visits the rock and roll hall of fame and museum
In this travel feature for the Oregonian, a writer visits the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
"Ever wonder why geezer rockers continue to tour across the country playing songs that haven't been hits since Richard Nixon was president?" begins the item.
"Come to Cleveland and find out. Like tie-dyed pilgrims, the over-40 generation flocks to this glass pyramid in the heart of Middle America to relive the soundtrack of their lives at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
"The Beatles, Elvis, the Rolling Stones, Woodstock, R&B, Motown, Elton, Springsteen. All are celebrated in full glory. There's everything from Jimi Hendrix's hand-scribbled "Purple Haze" lyrics to Janis Joplin's 1965 psychedelic-painted Porsche."
Read the rest here.
"Ever wonder why geezer rockers continue to tour across the country playing songs that haven't been hits since Richard Nixon was president?" begins the item.
"Come to Cleveland and find out. Like tie-dyed pilgrims, the over-40 generation flocks to this glass pyramid in the heart of Middle America to relive the soundtrack of their lives at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
"The Beatles, Elvis, the Rolling Stones, Woodstock, R&B, Motown, Elton, Springsteen. All are celebrated in full glory. There's everything from Jimi Hendrix's hand-scribbled "Purple Haze" lyrics to Janis Joplin's 1965 psychedelic-painted Porsche."
Read the rest here.
Do you want to see more mountain bike trails in the Metroparks? Or spur trails that lead visitors through secluded, natural landscapes? Could the Metroparks take over the city's ailing, neglected lakefront park system, which suffers from millions in deferred maintenance from the cash-strapped State of Ohio?
These issues and many others will be the focus of public meetings scheduled in April and May by the Cleveland Metroparks. The Metroparks is seeking to present and gather feedback on its Emerald Necklace Centennial Plan, a document that has been in the works for more than two years and will guide the park system for the next decade.
The focus of the Metroparks over the past 10 years has been on preserving a well-maintained park system while also completing a loop trail through the Emerald Necklace. The new Master Plan will address basic maintenance needs like roads and bridges, while also planning for new projects, such as completing more spur trails. The plan comes at a crucial time, as the park system is dealing with a decline in state funding and the need to pass a new operating levy in 2013.
There has also been discussion about the Metroparks taking over lakefront parks in Cleveland, as well as Wendy Park at Whisky Island and, ultimately, the newly-created Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve. According to Jim Kastelic, Senior Park Planner at the Metroparks, the Master Plan directly addresses these opportunities.
"When we surveyed Northeast Ohioans about whether Cleveland's lakefront parks should be operated by the same organization, 47 percent said yes and 37 percent said they weren't sure," says Kastelic, who cites the Metroparks' recent acquisition of two acres at Rivergate Park in the Flats and its agreement to manage the Towpath Trail in Cleveland as evidence of its commitment to urban parks and recreation. "That tells us that it's something that we need to look at."
Kastelic says the Centennial Plan will also focus on such key areas as green infrastructure, health of surrounding watersheds, strengthening the Metroparks' role in urban areas and creating a regional greenway system.
Additional meetings slated for April and May will largely focus on plans for individual Metroparks. Once the plan is finalized, the Metroparks will develop a list of strategic priorities and seek a levy in November of 2013.
Source: Cleveland Metroparks
Writer: Lee Chilcote
These issues and many others will be the focus of public meetings scheduled in April and May by the Cleveland Metroparks. The Metroparks is seeking to present and gather feedback on its Emerald Necklace Centennial Plan, a document that has been in the works for more than two years and will guide the park system for the next decade.
The focus of the Metroparks over the past 10 years has been on preserving a well-maintained park system while also completing a loop trail through the Emerald Necklace. The new Master Plan will address basic maintenance needs like roads and bridges, while also planning for new projects, such as completing more spur trails. The plan comes at a crucial time, as the park system is dealing with a decline in state funding and the need to pass a new operating levy in 2013.
There has also been discussion about the Metroparks taking over lakefront parks in Cleveland, as well as Wendy Park at Whisky Island and, ultimately, the newly-created Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve. According to Jim Kastelic, Senior Park Planner at the Metroparks, the Master Plan directly addresses these opportunities.
"When we surveyed Northeast Ohioans about whether Cleveland's lakefront parks should be operated by the same organization, 47 percent said yes and 37 percent said they weren't sure," says Kastelic, who cites the Metroparks' recent acquisition of two acres at Rivergate Park in the Flats and its agreement to manage the Towpath Trail in Cleveland as evidence of its commitment to urban parks and recreation. "That tells us that it's something that we need to look at."
Kastelic says the Centennial Plan will also focus on such key areas as green infrastructure, health of surrounding watersheds, strengthening the Metroparks' role in urban areas and creating a regional greenway system.
Additional meetings slated for April and May will largely focus on plans for individual Metroparks. Once the plan is finalized, the Metroparks will develop a list of strategic priorities and seek a levy in November of 2013.
Source: Cleveland Metroparks
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The Open Office opened in the Coventry School Building in Cleveland Heights on Monday, April 9, welcoming independent workers -- freelancers, small biz operators and mobile professionals -- a co-working environment to get their work done in a social atmosphere.
The Open Office, which will host its grand opening on May 2, offers office space, printers, fax machines and other office services on a membership basis. Memberships range from cubicles dedicated exclusively for full time members, to open memberships and part-time access.
“I’m very excited about what we’ve been doing over the past few weeks to transform the building from an old school to workspace,” says founder Andrew Auten. “We’ve been working with the school and the city to bring in more small business.”
Conference space is available for meetings and seminars. “The conference rooms are open to the public for reservations,” says Auten. “We can hold much larger events, for up to 100 people too. The need for this kind of flexible meeting space is really growing.”
The Open Office has 12 desks for dedicated members. Auten already has eight dedicated members signed up. Two employees manage the office, while Auten is working with a consultant to help with social media in the space.
Other amenities include parking passes for members, a coffee bar by Phoenix Coffee and pastries and sandwiches from Luna Bakery Cafe.
Source: Andrew Auten
Writer: Karin Connelly
The Open Office, which will host its grand opening on May 2, offers office space, printers, fax machines and other office services on a membership basis. Memberships range from cubicles dedicated exclusively for full time members, to open memberships and part-time access.
“I’m very excited about what we’ve been doing over the past few weeks to transform the building from an old school to workspace,” says founder Andrew Auten. “We’ve been working with the school and the city to bring in more small business.”
Conference space is available for meetings and seminars. “The conference rooms are open to the public for reservations,” says Auten. “We can hold much larger events, for up to 100 people too. The need for this kind of flexible meeting space is really growing.”
The Open Office has 12 desks for dedicated members. Auten already has eight dedicated members signed up. Two employees manage the office, while Auten is working with a consultant to help with social media in the space.
Other amenities include parking passes for members, a coffee bar by Phoenix Coffee and pastries and sandwiches from Luna Bakery Cafe.
Source: Andrew Auten
Writer: Karin Connelly
After three years of fundraising -- and a generous last-minute gift from an anonymous donor -- a bronze statue of Dante Alighieri is now being crafted at Studio Foundry in Cleveland. It will be installed in the Italian Cultural Gardens in Rockefeller Park in June.
"I view this as a Cleveland project," says Joyce Mariani, Executive Director of the Italian Cultural Gardens Foundation, who championed the project after discovering unfinished plans for the Italian Garden that included the Dante sculpture. "It brings back an urban space, and reflects the greatness of what Italy has given the world. We're all beneficiaries of what the Italians have done."
The statue, which costs $135,000, was designed by Italian sculptor Sandro Bonaiuto, who was originally born in Cleveland. It presents Dante in his 30s, around the time he wrote the Divine Comedy.
In the statue, Dante gazes out from where he sits in a Renaissance chair with the Divine Comedy in one hand and a pen in the other. The base of the statue portrays heaven, hell and purgatory, and a scroll located beside the statue includes the epic poem's most famous canto in Italian and English.
The Dante statue will be dedicated on June 29th, and Mariani will host Opera in the Garden, a free performance, on Sunday, July 29th beginning at 6 pm.
Source: Joyce Mariani
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"I view this as a Cleveland project," says Joyce Mariani, Executive Director of the Italian Cultural Gardens Foundation, who championed the project after discovering unfinished plans for the Italian Garden that included the Dante sculpture. "It brings back an urban space, and reflects the greatness of what Italy has given the world. We're all beneficiaries of what the Italians have done."
The statue, which costs $135,000, was designed by Italian sculptor Sandro Bonaiuto, who was originally born in Cleveland. It presents Dante in his 30s, around the time he wrote the Divine Comedy.
In the statue, Dante gazes out from where he sits in a Renaissance chair with the Divine Comedy in one hand and a pen in the other. The base of the statue portrays heaven, hell and purgatory, and a scroll located beside the statue includes the epic poem's most famous canto in Italian and English.
The Dante statue will be dedicated on June 29th, and Mariani will host Opera in the Garden, a free performance, on Sunday, July 29th beginning at 6 pm.
Source: Joyce Mariani
Writer: Lee Chilcote
LeanDog Software Studio has seen success as a software delivery firm and the team enjoys sharing their knowledge and mentoring others in the field. So the natural progression for the 55-person company was to expand into the world of fostering entrepreneurs in the tech field. The launch of LeanDog Labs does exactly that.
“Labs was really a part of our original vision of LeanDog,” says Nick Barendt, director of LeanDog Labs. “Very early on we were working with startups, but we were bootstrapped as a startup ourselves and cash poor. We really wanted to get back into working with Cleveland-based startups.”
LeanDog Labs teaches what they know to up-and-coming technology experts. They don’t invest in the companies; they are focused on being a technology partner. “We’re not looking to fund or provide office space. We’re there on the technology end to help entrepreneurs deliver their vision,” says Doc Norton, director of LeanDog Studio. “We’re looking to be a delivery partner in the startups.”
The company is in a position now to help out. LeanDog grew to 45 people from 18 people last year, and has hired 10 employees this year -- four of them just last week. Barendt and Norton see that growth as an opportunity to spread the expertise around.
“We're looking to work with entrepreneurs to help build their product vision,” says Barendt. “We have an absolutely amazing group of developers with incredibly diverse experiences, from mobile and web to financial and insurance to real time control and embedded systems, and we can make that collective experience available to our entrepreneurial partners.”
Source: Nick Barendt and Doc Norton
Writer: Karin Connelly
“Labs was really a part of our original vision of LeanDog,” says Nick Barendt, director of LeanDog Labs. “Very early on we were working with startups, but we were bootstrapped as a startup ourselves and cash poor. We really wanted to get back into working with Cleveland-based startups.”
LeanDog Labs teaches what they know to up-and-coming technology experts. They don’t invest in the companies; they are focused on being a technology partner. “We’re not looking to fund or provide office space. We’re there on the technology end to help entrepreneurs deliver their vision,” says Doc Norton, director of LeanDog Studio. “We’re looking to be a delivery partner in the startups.”
The company is in a position now to help out. LeanDog grew to 45 people from 18 people last year, and has hired 10 employees this year -- four of them just last week. Barendt and Norton see that growth as an opportunity to spread the expertise around.
“We're looking to work with entrepreneurs to help build their product vision,” says Barendt. “We have an absolutely amazing group of developers with incredibly diverse experiences, from mobile and web to financial and insurance to real time control and embedded systems, and we can make that collective experience available to our entrepreneurial partners.”
Source: Nick Barendt and Doc Norton
Writer: Karin Connelly
When Jeremy Amos and Matt Benton were working together at a bank a few years back, they constantly heard from potential investors about how difficult the college admissions process was for their children. They found that finding the right college was often confusing, complicated and even expensive.
So, in 2011, Amos and Benton came up with Upclique -- a free forum to connect students with the information they need to find the college that fits their needs, and allowing colleges to attract quality students. “We offer students a very detailed search tool that helps them narrow down their number of potential schools to a list that is manageable,” says Amos. “Once they have narrowed their list we provide them with all the necessary info they will need regarding the school to make a quality decision.”
Amos describes Upclique as the FaceBook of academia. “Our main goal was to create a site where students, parents, college counselors and college personnel come together,” says Amos. “They can come to our site not knowing a thing about what to do or where to go and we can immediately help them from this point."
Since its official launch at the end of February, Upclique has recruited 180 colleges, 35 high schools and 150 students and parents. “We’ve had really great growth,” says Amos.
Upclique’s revenue comes from third party sponsors in academics. They recently received an investment from Ancora Advisors in Beachwood, and they are endorsed by the National Catholic College Admission Association, which represents more than 200 colleges across the country.
Amos and Benton recently hired a CTO, who contracts with four outside developers.
Source: Jeremy Amos
Writer: Karin Connelly
So, in 2011, Amos and Benton came up with Upclique -- a free forum to connect students with the information they need to find the college that fits their needs, and allowing colleges to attract quality students. “We offer students a very detailed search tool that helps them narrow down their number of potential schools to a list that is manageable,” says Amos. “Once they have narrowed their list we provide them with all the necessary info they will need regarding the school to make a quality decision.”
Amos describes Upclique as the FaceBook of academia. “Our main goal was to create a site where students, parents, college counselors and college personnel come together,” says Amos. “They can come to our site not knowing a thing about what to do or where to go and we can immediately help them from this point."
Since its official launch at the end of February, Upclique has recruited 180 colleges, 35 high schools and 150 students and parents. “We’ve had really great growth,” says Amos.
Upclique’s revenue comes from third party sponsors in academics. They recently received an investment from Ancora Advisors in Beachwood, and they are endorsed by the National Catholic College Admission Association, which represents more than 200 colleges across the country.
Amos and Benton recently hired a CTO, who contracts with four outside developers.
Source: Jeremy Amos
Writer: Karin Connelly
Later this month, a pop up store for visitors will open inside of an historic railroad car in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The store, called Trail Mix, will be housed on a spur track along the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in the town of Peninsula. It will feature snacks, refreshments, books, souvenirs and other items.
Then, later this year, Trail Mix will move into its permanent location at 1600 West Mill Street, adjacent to the Winking Lizard and the tracks where visitors hop aboard the Scenic Railroad. Peninsula has become a hub for visitors to the 33,000 acre national park, which draws more than three million visitors annually and is considered to be one of the most popular national parks in the country.
The store will be operated by the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help educate the general public about the park, protect and conserve its national resources, market the park to visitors, and promote the activities and amenities that exist within the park.
"This is an opportunity for us to really introduce people to all the wonderful things that exist within the 33,000 acres of the park," says Janice Matteucci, Chief Operations Officer for the Conservancy. "We're also partnering with the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad so that people can buy their tickets here."
The new, 3,000 square foot store will provide a larger storefront space for both organizations and add to the retail offerings in downtown Peninsula. Trail Mix will have outdoor seating and serve local foods such as cookies baked at the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center and Mitchell's Ice Cream.
Source: Janice Matteucci
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Then, later this year, Trail Mix will move into its permanent location at 1600 West Mill Street, adjacent to the Winking Lizard and the tracks where visitors hop aboard the Scenic Railroad. Peninsula has become a hub for visitors to the 33,000 acre national park, which draws more than three million visitors annually and is considered to be one of the most popular national parks in the country.
The store will be operated by the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help educate the general public about the park, protect and conserve its national resources, market the park to visitors, and promote the activities and amenities that exist within the park.
"This is an opportunity for us to really introduce people to all the wonderful things that exist within the 33,000 acres of the park," says Janice Matteucci, Chief Operations Officer for the Conservancy. "We're also partnering with the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad so that people can buy their tickets here."
The new, 3,000 square foot store will provide a larger storefront space for both organizations and add to the retail offerings in downtown Peninsula. Trail Mix will have outdoor seating and serve local foods such as cookies baked at the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center and Mitchell's Ice Cream.
Source: Janice Matteucci
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Since its inception in 1984, Quebec-based Cirque du Soleil has entertained over 100 million spectators. Close to 15 million people will see a show in 2012 alone. The now-world famous acrobatic theatre troupe bounds into Cleveland this weekend to perform Dralion. Fresh Water photographer Bob Perkoski "snuck" into Thursday's rehearsal for some rare behind-the-scenes glimpses of what goes into preparing for a show.
When Costas Mavromichaelis opened Constantino's Market in downtown Cleveland, he knew that he was an urban pioneer. Downtown residents and businesses had been crying out for a small, full-service grocery store for years, yet no entrepreneur had been willing to take the plunge.
Eight years later, Constantino's Market on W. 9th Street is still going strong, and Mavromichaelis is hoping for another shot in the arm when the Horseshoe Casino opens this year and the Medical Mart and Convention Center open next year. The growing demand for downtown apartments also bodes well, he says.
The entrepreneur is now set to open a 16,000-square-foot branch of Constantino's in University Circle. City leaders contacted him after failing to secure leases from Dave's Market or Heinen's. Mavromichaelis says that the urban market isn't an easy or simple place to do business, but that he's addressing unmet demand.
"This is an important and developing area of Cleveland, and the density of and demand for housing because of the university and hospitals make it attractive," he says. "There's been a lack of shopping amenities in University Circle, but that's changing, and the Uptown project will make the area even more attractive."
Mavromichaelis says the new Constantino's will be very similar to the downtown store, and will be geared towards young professionals, students, small families and empty nesters. It will offer a full selection of groceries as well as a salad and hot foods bar, prepared foods, pizza and an impressive wine selection.
To make the deal work, the developer, MRN Ltd., leased the space to Case Western Reserve University, who in turn subleased it to Mavromichaelis. Uptown is a large, new retail and apartment development along Euclid Avenue in University Circle. The new Constantino's will be located at E. 115th and Euclid.
Mavromichaelis has also recruited his daughter and son-in-law, Anna Mavromichaelis and Andrew Revy, to move from Chicago to Cleveland to work in the business. His daughter has helped him to run the business and open new locations, while Revy will soon manage the University Circle location.
"My daughter was working as an accountant in Chicago, but she grew up in the business, coming to the Clifton store from the time she was seven or eight years old," says Mavromichaelis. "I guess she never got it out of her system."
Source: Costas Mavromichaelis
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Eight years later, Constantino's Market on W. 9th Street is still going strong, and Mavromichaelis is hoping for another shot in the arm when the Horseshoe Casino opens this year and the Medical Mart and Convention Center open next year. The growing demand for downtown apartments also bodes well, he says.
The entrepreneur is now set to open a 16,000-square-foot branch of Constantino's in University Circle. City leaders contacted him after failing to secure leases from Dave's Market or Heinen's. Mavromichaelis says that the urban market isn't an easy or simple place to do business, but that he's addressing unmet demand.
"This is an important and developing area of Cleveland, and the density of and demand for housing because of the university and hospitals make it attractive," he says. "There's been a lack of shopping amenities in University Circle, but that's changing, and the Uptown project will make the area even more attractive."
Mavromichaelis says the new Constantino's will be very similar to the downtown store, and will be geared towards young professionals, students, small families and empty nesters. It will offer a full selection of groceries as well as a salad and hot foods bar, prepared foods, pizza and an impressive wine selection.
To make the deal work, the developer, MRN Ltd., leased the space to Case Western Reserve University, who in turn subleased it to Mavromichaelis. Uptown is a large, new retail and apartment development along Euclid Avenue in University Circle. The new Constantino's will be located at E. 115th and Euclid.
Mavromichaelis has also recruited his daughter and son-in-law, Anna Mavromichaelis and Andrew Revy, to move from Chicago to Cleveland to work in the business. His daughter has helped him to run the business and open new locations, while Revy will soon manage the University Circle location.
"My daughter was working as an accountant in Chicago, but she grew up in the business, coming to the Clifton store from the time she was seven or eight years old," says Mavromichaelis. "I guess she never got it out of her system."
Source: Costas Mavromichaelis
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Moving counter to the assertion that Print is Dead!, two local optimists have just launched a new print magazine. Edible Cleveland is a new print quarterly that focuses on the local food scene -- not just restaurants and chefs, but also farmers, history, tradition and lore. FW's Erin O'Brien brakes bread with publishers Noelle Celeste and Jon Benedict.
Ameica21 Project and BioEnterprise will host the country’s first Minority Biomedical Entrepreneurship Conference May 21-22 at the Cleveland Marriott to increase minority competitiveness in the biomedical industry, as well as provide a forum for networking and education. Minorities currently represent less than five percent of the biomedical workforce.
“America21 Project has paired with BioEnterprise to help connect the disconnected,” says Johnathan Holified, co-founder and chief evangelist for America21 Project, a minority innovation and competitiveness initiative. “We believe the initial conference will be the first step in connecting minorities, particularly African Americans and Latinos. We want to establish Cleveland hospitals as a community that welcomes these inspirations.”
The event will offer panel discussions and workshops on the key issues and practical advice on starting and growing a biomedical company. The conference will also allow for entrepreneurial pitch sessions with investors and mentors. “The pitch sessions will allow entrepreneurs to showcase their companies to potential investors and get feedback,” says Holified.
Frank Douglas, president of the Austen BioInnovation Institute and former executive vice president and chief scientific officer of Aventis will be the keynote speaker. A national steering committee of Hispanic and African American leaders in the biomedical industry will also attend.
Holified expects about 150 people to attend the event, and hopes it will gain popularity at future conferences. “Our intent is to grow the conference and make it an annual destination,” he says.
Source: Johnathan Holified
Writer: Karin Connelly
“America21 Project has paired with BioEnterprise to help connect the disconnected,” says Johnathan Holified, co-founder and chief evangelist for America21 Project, a minority innovation and competitiveness initiative. “We believe the initial conference will be the first step in connecting minorities, particularly African Americans and Latinos. We want to establish Cleveland hospitals as a community that welcomes these inspirations.”
The event will offer panel discussions and workshops on the key issues and practical advice on starting and growing a biomedical company. The conference will also allow for entrepreneurial pitch sessions with investors and mentors. “The pitch sessions will allow entrepreneurs to showcase their companies to potential investors and get feedback,” says Holified.
Frank Douglas, president of the Austen BioInnovation Institute and former executive vice president and chief scientific officer of Aventis will be the keynote speaker. A national steering committee of Hispanic and African American leaders in the biomedical industry will also attend.
Holified expects about 150 people to attend the event, and hopes it will gain popularity at future conferences. “Our intent is to grow the conference and make it an annual destination,” he says.
Source: Johnathan Holified
Writer: Karin Connelly
A trio of local entrepreneurs have recently opened Peace, Love and Little Donuts, a hippie-themed, gourmet donut shop in Kamm's Corners. The purple walls of the 40-seat venue are lined with Cleveland concert posters from the 60s through the 80s.
Now, donuts get a bad rap in today's health-conscious foodie scene. Yet founder Patrick Campbell says he's got that covered. The hot, fresh donuts are made right in the shop, and the coffee comes from Caruso's in Brecksville. And even if they're not exactly healthy, well, who can resist a maple and bacon donut?
Peace, Love and Little Donuts offers three different types of donuts. The "groovy" donuts are plain or sprinkled with powdered sugar or cinnamon. "Far out" donuts are frosted with chocolate, maple syrup or other goodies. "And the Funkadelic is where it gets really interesting," explains Campbell, who also owns P.J. McIntyre's Pub. "We've got a strawberry cheesecake, samoa and s'mores donut."
Peace, Love and Little Donuts also boasts a state-of-the-art espresso and latte machine that reportedly cost $10,000. "Coffee is the new pint," quips Campbell.
Campbell and his partners, Pete Campbell and James Crawford, first discovered the donut franchise on a visit to Pittsburgh last year. They were walking around the popular neighborhood The Strip and were overcome by a delicious odor.
"We just followed the smell," says Campbell. "And lo and behold, we found this small, 300 square foot, unique coffee shop. They were making fresh donuts right there in front of you, and there was a line out the door."
Source: Patrick Campbell
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Now, donuts get a bad rap in today's health-conscious foodie scene. Yet founder Patrick Campbell says he's got that covered. The hot, fresh donuts are made right in the shop, and the coffee comes from Caruso's in Brecksville. And even if they're not exactly healthy, well, who can resist a maple and bacon donut?
Peace, Love and Little Donuts offers three different types of donuts. The "groovy" donuts are plain or sprinkled with powdered sugar or cinnamon. "Far out" donuts are frosted with chocolate, maple syrup or other goodies. "And the Funkadelic is where it gets really interesting," explains Campbell, who also owns P.J. McIntyre's Pub. "We've got a strawberry cheesecake, samoa and s'mores donut."
Peace, Love and Little Donuts also boasts a state-of-the-art espresso and latte machine that reportedly cost $10,000. "Coffee is the new pint," quips Campbell.
Campbell and his partners, Pete Campbell and James Crawford, first discovered the donut franchise on a visit to Pittsburgh last year. They were walking around the popular neighborhood The Strip and were overcome by a delicious odor.
"We just followed the smell," says Campbell. "And lo and behold, we found this small, 300 square foot, unique coffee shop. They were making fresh donuts right there in front of you, and there was a line out the door."
Source: Patrick Campbell
Writer: Lee Chilcote
After developing their idea for an online funeral services resource at the Ohio State University Fisher College of Business’ 10-Xelerator last summer, Mike Belsito and Bryan Chaikin have proved eFuneral to be a successful endeavor.
Originally called FunerAlly, the company was founded in June 2011. Belsito and Chaikin changed to name to eFuneral when they went live in February. The company provides an online platform for families to quickly find, compare and select a funeral provider. “eFuneral is a simple way for our customer base to understand it is technology focused,” explains Belsito. “One of the things we underestimated is how difficult it would be to create a brand name.”
After some tweaking to make sure eFuneral is easily found through search engines like Google, business has boomed. Sixty-five funeral homes in Northeast and Central Ohio are now listed on the site. “We want to make sure that when others turn to the web to find funeral services they find eFuneral,” says Belsito. “Dozens of inquiries immediately came through, from pre-planning to immediate needs.”
Offline, groups like Hospice and religious organizations have partnered with eFuneral. The service is free for users. Revenue is earned through marketing fees and premium memberships that funeral homes purchase.
eFuneral is doing well. The company now has four employees. The company is still on a learning curve, but Belsito and Chaikin are eager learners. “Our goal is to prove the model we built and the business we built and learn as much from our customers as we can,” Belsito says. “Year one is about learning as much as we can so we can scale up nationally.”
Source: Mike Belsito
Writer: Karin Connelly
Originally called FunerAlly, the company was founded in June 2011. Belsito and Chaikin changed to name to eFuneral when they went live in February. The company provides an online platform for families to quickly find, compare and select a funeral provider. “eFuneral is a simple way for our customer base to understand it is technology focused,” explains Belsito. “One of the things we underestimated is how difficult it would be to create a brand name.”
After some tweaking to make sure eFuneral is easily found through search engines like Google, business has boomed. Sixty-five funeral homes in Northeast and Central Ohio are now listed on the site. “We want to make sure that when others turn to the web to find funeral services they find eFuneral,” says Belsito. “Dozens of inquiries immediately came through, from pre-planning to immediate needs.”
Offline, groups like Hospice and religious organizations have partnered with eFuneral. The service is free for users. Revenue is earned through marketing fees and premium memberships that funeral homes purchase.
eFuneral is doing well. The company now has four employees. The company is still on a learning curve, but Belsito and Chaikin are eager learners. “Our goal is to prove the model we built and the business we built and learn as much from our customers as we can,” Belsito says. “Year one is about learning as much as we can so we can scale up nationally.”
Source: Mike Belsito
Writer: Karin Connelly
case scientists share in pre-human discovery
“Now it seems that Lucy shared Eastern Africa with another prehuman species, one that may have spent more time in trees than on the ground,” writes John Noble Wilford of the New York Times.
The name Lucy was given to the famous 3.2-million-year-old skeleton discovered in Eastern Africa and is considered the oldest known ancestor to modern day humans.
“A 3.4-million-year-old fossil foot found in Ethiopia appears to settle the long-disputed question of whether there was only a single line of hominins -- species more closely related to humans than to chimpanzees -- between four million and three million years ago,” Wilford continues.
Beverly Z. Saylor of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland is a member of the scientific team making the discovery and an author of the report announcing the group’s findings. She states, “the time this hominin lived, the region had many lakes and streams with wooded shores, thus ample opportunities for arboreal habits.”
Fellow CWRU colleague and author Bruce M. Latimer states, “The findings clearly showed that the adaptation to bipedality, though considered one of the decisive transitions in early human evolution, was not a single, isolated event.”
Read the full New York Times story with Cleveland connections here.
The name Lucy was given to the famous 3.2-million-year-old skeleton discovered in Eastern Africa and is considered the oldest known ancestor to modern day humans.
“A 3.4-million-year-old fossil foot found in Ethiopia appears to settle the long-disputed question of whether there was only a single line of hominins -- species more closely related to humans than to chimpanzees -- between four million and three million years ago,” Wilford continues.
Beverly Z. Saylor of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland is a member of the scientific team making the discovery and an author of the report announcing the group’s findings. She states, “the time this hominin lived, the region had many lakes and streams with wooded shores, thus ample opportunities for arboreal habits.”
Fellow CWRU colleague and author Bruce M. Latimer states, “The findings clearly showed that the adaptation to bipedality, though considered one of the decisive transitions in early human evolution, was not a single, isolated event.”
Read the full New York Times story with Cleveland connections here.
the rust belt brain gain, creatives flocking to cleveland
A multi-part spread in Details magazine trumpets the remarkable rise of the so-called "Rust Belt."
In the piece titled, "Talented, educated, creative people are no longer fleeing the region -- they're flocking to it," the writer kicks off with:
"Rust connotes decay and neglect -- and indeed, the Rust Belt's decline coincided with a massive brain drain. But in the past half decade, the region has retained more of its homegrown talent while drawing the best and brightest from across the country."
Cited in the article is a Brookings Institution report that found "cities like Pittsburgh and Columbus have increased their college-educated population in recent years, and Cleveland and Buffalo are on their way -- having stanched their decades-long outward migration."
Called out for special attention are Clevelanders Eric Kogelschatz and Hallie Bram.
"In Cleveland, Eric Kogelschatz founded the think tank shark&minnow with his wife, Hallie Bram Kogelschatz, after both fled high-powered marketing jobs in Boston; besides organizing TEDxCLE (last year's sold out in two hours), the organization collaborates on events with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Museum of Art. What prompted the move? "We really didn't know what we were getting into," Eric admits. "But we were tired of Rust Belt cynicism."
Read it all right here.
In the piece titled, "Talented, educated, creative people are no longer fleeing the region -- they're flocking to it," the writer kicks off with:
"Rust connotes decay and neglect -- and indeed, the Rust Belt's decline coincided with a massive brain drain. But in the past half decade, the region has retained more of its homegrown talent while drawing the best and brightest from across the country."
Cited in the article is a Brookings Institution report that found "cities like Pittsburgh and Columbus have increased their college-educated population in recent years, and Cleveland and Buffalo are on their way -- having stanched their decades-long outward migration."
Called out for special attention are Clevelanders Eric Kogelschatz and Hallie Bram.
"In Cleveland, Eric Kogelschatz founded the think tank shark&minnow with his wife, Hallie Bram Kogelschatz, after both fled high-powered marketing jobs in Boston; besides organizing TEDxCLE (last year's sold out in two hours), the organization collaborates on events with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Museum of Art. What prompted the move? "We really didn't know what we were getting into," Eric admits. "But we were tired of Rust Belt cynicism."
Read it all right here.
Blame it on the recession or chalk it up to a generation of people who prefer vinyl records to MP3s, but the trend toward creative entrepreneurship is real and rising. People value authenticity, and that often comes in the form of a handmade object with pedigree and a good story to boot. These folks have all traded in their "day jobs" to pursue their passion of making things by hand.