Run Down Of Cleveland's Holiday Pop Up Shops In Freshwater

Freshwater Cleveland posted a big list of amazing looking pop up stores and holiday festivals to buy unique gifts around Cleveland.

A high percentage of these seem to be on the West Side. Ohio City, Gordon Square etc, but there are some in other places, Downtown and Midtown.

Once again, places like The 78th Street Studios and Tower Press buildings are the focus of energy.

Rockers Remember Cleveland's Pioneering Music Critic, Jane Scott

In 1964. when Jane Scott found her niche at age 45, women reporters were still rare and Rock was still considered passing fad-or at least not worthy of the attention of a real music critic. She was never forgotten by rockers for taking seriously what so few above the age of 30, did.

From The LA Times

"This renown was a far cry from the days when she had to carry a homemade placard reading “Yes, I’m a reporter.” In the netherworld of rock-star dressing rooms, it was assumed that anyone as respectable-looking as she must be an undercover narcotics agent."

From the NY Times.

"Ms. Scott adored much of the music she heard, and was overwhelmingly positive about it in print. This incurred criticism from some journalists but won the devotion of readers and many musicians.

She was also an astute handicapper. “He looked like a cross between a dockhand and a pirate,” she wrote in The Plain Dealer in 1975, reviewing a young musician. “He stood on the darkened Allen Theater stage last night in a black greaser jacket, blue jeans, a gray wool cap pulled over an eye and a gold earring in his left ear. ... His name is Bruce Springsteen. He will be the next superstar.”"

I found both of these obits via Freshwater Cleveland.

Pop Up Stores Storm Cleveland: Great Story on Freshwater

The headline is a bit exaggerated, but it looks like the pop up movement may be making a significant impact on Cleveland's retail scene.

Hopefully this recession is making people rethink many of the stereotypes that underlie our economic thinking.

Old School

That the world doesn't change.
That long leases are always a safe bet
That only big chains make good tenants
That only a small percent of the population is economically valuable
That only a small number of big companies are economically valuable
That landlords and experts can tell who they are
Only big budget, formal advertising works
There's no harm in leaving a place empty till the right big tenant comes along

New School

Landlords and retailers must adapt to change
Almost all people are of potential value
You can't guess the next big idea
Small companies and individuals can be of great value
Social media is very important
Empty spaces are very damaging and discouraging

"Cities across the U.S. are using pop-up stores as a transitional strategy in a weak market," explains Schwarz. "But in places like Cleveland, they may need to be part of our permanent toolkit." (Actually they are and should be part of any cities toolkit--comment mine)

While the shop itself is fleeting, the positive effects of a successful event can extend well after that final sale, organizers say. Often, these short-term shops are just what's needed to help young startups flourish and grow. "There's a multiplier effect," says Okey. "People grab your business card, and vendors find they get a flood of orders through their websites after the event."

DeBoe cites as an example Made in the 216 vendor Small Screen Designs, which enjoyed sales growth following pop-up venues across town. "They became known through pop-ups," notes DeBoe. "And now they're selling their work in other states."

As the story says, Pop Ups mostly work in places that already have decent retail traffic potential.

A very well done piece---Kudos.

Some upcoming Cleveland area Pop ups and short term projects.

Pop Up Pearl

Collective Upcycle

Cleveland Furniture Fair

Bazaar Bizarre

Made in the 216

Cleveland International Film Festival March 24 -April 3 : Interview with Artistic Director on Freshwater

I was somewhat insulting when said Cleveland had such a short list of must see places/events. No way do I know it well enough to say that--plus I skipped a few cause I was just lazy.

High on any list is The Cleveland International film festival, the only truly -large festival of it's kind in wider region.

Check out this years list here.

Freshwater Cleveland has a good Q & A with the artistic director, who talks about balancing the mix of films to be both creatively important and accessible to a wide local audience.

Comments from people who attended would be great.