Last weekend, we had brunch with friends. One was from Canton and the other a transplant from Minnesota. Over the course of the afternoon, we discussed Cleveland. We talked about its future, our hopes and dreams for the city, and where it will end up. I have a strong love of this city. Sometimes, I am not sure why, when we do seem to actively pursue our own demise. We can never seem to get on board to try and work together for the common good of the city we call home. As my friends have kids, they take flight to the suburbs for a better school system or a safer neighborhood. Other friends leave the region entirely to find employment or to chase their dreams in cities that have a better reputation or a more thriving community. While I like to think I have all the answers to solve all Cleveland’s woes, the truth is that no one does. What’s wrong here may be an attitude problem more than anything else, as Clevelanders have continuously asked us why on earth we moved to CLEVELAND? In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I would give everyone some thoughts to think about in regards to why Cleveland is a great place to live and why we who live here should be thankful for it.
The Arts:
Cleveland has a strong commitment to the arts. True some of our performing arts districts are suffering. We lost the ballet and are in serious danger of losing the opera, but this is more a generational issue than a Cleveland issue. Many cities across the country are finding it harder and harder to support more traditional forms of performing arts and attract the interest of the younger crowds. We do have one of the top symphonies in the world and the Cleveland Art Museum is ranked one of the best in the nation, and its recent expansion and new director make its future only more exciting. The Cleveland International Film Festival is one of the best, and I have been to several. In addition, we support the up and coming artists here. With our myriad of arts shows, festivals and art walks, we have been a haven for emerging artists to get their bearings and start their careers. I can speak from personal experience here, as I could never have been able to show so much of my own work in other cities that I have lived in. With so many arts galleries and arty neighborhoods like Tremont, combined with a low cost of living and innovative arts are possible here like nowhere else in the country.
The Food:
We have a rich resource here when it comes to food. The local food movement is alive and well, thanks to advocates like Peter McDermott and Holly Harlan at E4S. We have a great Farmer’s Market scene here. Neighborhood markets are making great food available to locals in the neighborhood where it is grown, and bigger markets are vibrant in some districts. North Union Farmers markets have worked hard to keep their reputation together and they sponsor a host of markets around the city. Not too far out of town is the Howe Meadows market also that is as good as Pike Place Market in Seattle. Thanks to the availability of local produce, we are seeing a rise in local foods at the West Side Market and next year will see a lot of produce from the Ohio City Farm, just across the parking lots from the Market itself. And to gain access to great food from outlying farms that don’t have a place at the market, there are rising number of CSAs here, like Fresh Fork Market and City Fresh. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, and the rise in their popularity just shows our commitment to local foods.
But the food scene doesn’t stop here, of course. We have some of the top restaurants and chefs in the country. I love to eat, and Cleveland is no slacker in the restaurant department. How we manage to support so many great places to eat still astounds me. We boast great chefs like Rocco Whalen at Fahrenheit and Brandt Evans in his new project in downtown, and of course the Iron Chef, Michael Symon. There are a host of others, as well, too many to mention in fact. Crop, Amp 150, the Greenhouse Tavern are all making use of local ingredients and choosing to promote local farms and local foods. The good food goes all the way from fine dining to small local eateries like Lucky’s Cafe. Ethnic foods from far flung parts of the globe like Eastern Europe, Asia, and South America round out the offerings. We have the national attention of Food Network stars and programmers, too.
The Leadership:
In this area, I am not talking politics or government. That tends to get me started and I get in trouble. What I mean here is the leadership of the professionals that are committed to the city and what it could truly be. Folks like the developers (MRN) who built up E 4th street and who are looking to develop other areas in the city like W 25th, with an eye toward the future and the hip, not business as usual.
Despite the fact that they have the opportunity for a bright future wherever they go, there are future leaders who choose to stay or even come to Cleveland and make a difference. There is Erin Huber, a student at CSU who managed to get a Farmer’s Market right downtown at the CSU campus and continues to push the sustainability envelope in the region-all while still studying. LeAnn Westfall worked with Erin to put a green roof on the CSU recreation center, and has gone on to start her own business consulting on green roof projects. Stephanie Spears who creates the famous Eco Watch and has her own business promoting and consulting on green energy projects. Chef entrepreneurs like Matthew Mytro who puts on the molecular gastromony events at Mercury Lounge and whose catering business is slated to begin in ernest in the spring. Chris Hodgson, the owner of Dim and Den Sum, who will be opening a restaurant in the Spring on W. 25th. and bringing a flair to the city that we can use-the guy is only 25! The GrOhio guys who helped form one of the first sustainability programs while still in school and who are re mediating brownfields to grow local food in the city limits. Trevor Clatterbuck-founder of Fresh Fork Market is a rising star in the local food scene and his business is growing so fast that keeping up is his biggest problem, which is good for the local farms in NE Ohio. Timothy Smith and the folks at the CGP who are going to grow food locally to feed some of Cleveland’s most underserved citizens. TEDxCLE has been organized by Clevelanders Hallie Bram andEric Kogelschatz in an effort to bring Cleveland innovation, development, and positive change to the world. Lily’s chocolates, Chris Kious of APOC and CURLY’s, Aaron LeMiuex of Tremont Electric, the list goes on and on… If these folks can believe in this city, then we all should be able to. Perhaps our current economic status makes this city even more ripe for entrepreneurship than many others.
Matthew Mytro of Crisp Catering & Stove Monkeys, with Kim Burant of Clear Cut Promotions
Chris Hodson of Dim and Den Sum and friends
LeAnnWestfall
Trevor Clatterbuck with Mike Schoen
Erin Huber with Bud Perry and Mark Rabkin
Conceptual Rendering of Chris's restaurant on W 25th
The People:
Overall, the people of Cleveland are generally a pleasant lot. Though weary from the stress of the economy that has hit us harder here than most cities, generally Clevelanders are nice and warm. We (I say we, because after a decade this is truly my home) don’t take ourselves too seriously and are willing to take on a new challenge. We remain hopeless optimistic, despite our struggles. If you don’t agree, check out the muni lot on a Browns game day or ask any fan what the Tribe will look like next summer. Heck, just look at how much we hate LJ for dissing us and the Cavs. In spite of the fact that many towns are ahead of us, we still believe that there will be an answer to our economic woes and are willing to work toward it. Whether it’s tourism, the green economy, or even gambling, we are willing to give nearly anything a shot to try and bring back Cleveland’s greatness. Besides, even those who leave often don’t go far. Look at the growth in Solon, Beachwood, Chagrin Falls and Hudson, and you see that despite the urban core we love NE Ohio and the Cleveland metropolitan area.
