I've been in three times and purchased once. The pricepoint is similar to Banana Republic, but all products are made in America. The higher the pricepoint, the lower the traffic. Based on my experience of retail and what I've seen with no marketing, they are doing very well.  A lot of merchandise is sold down/sold out since I was there on the second day of business and Saturday night and the store was packed at 9:30 pm. Word will continue getting out and I feel the store will be an example for future downtown entrepreneurs'.

So.... do we know whats going in on the corner of Euclid and E4th yet? Store? Restaurant?

 

Cleveland Clothing Company. http://cleclothingco.com/

 

Is that true that CLE Clothing is moving into that space? That would be another great addition.

Jeremy, where'd you hear that?

Don't know much about the Cleveland Clothing Co so I did click onto their website.  While I wish them well, I certainly would like something more prominent than a t shirt store go into that space.

I stopped by Dredgers Union for the first time today and bought a couple shirts. I talked to the woman at the register and she said that the downstairs space will be used to host various events, but she also mentioned that they are hoping to build an elevator so they can expand and set up some displays down there.

 

I hope something goes in that small space next to the Dredgers Union storefront. It's sort of an eyesore.

Don't know much about the Cleveland Clothing Co so I did click onto their website.  While I wish them well, I certainly would like something more prominent than a t shirt store go into that space.

 

Have to disagree. CLE Clothing is not at all like Daffy Dans. From seeing their temp installations I'm assuming their shop would be really really cool and feature local art and artists as well.

 

This would be just like Cleveland's version of Homage T's in the Columbus Short North.

Are they actually going there?

Wait, so Dredgers' clothing is all made in the USA? Is that actual/correct? I have not had a chance to go there yet. We are trying hard to watch spending as things are very uncertain at my job so I've been avoiding going lest I end up buying things :)  But if they really are made in the US products, I will put this on my social network sites and send to the made in the USA sites I know of.

Wait, so Dredgers' clothing is all made in the USA? Is that actual/correct? I have not had a chance to go there yet. We are trying hard to watch spending as things are very uncertain at my job so I've been avoiding going lest I end up buying things :)  But if they really are made in the US products, I will put this on my social network sites and send to the made in the USA sites I know of.

 

I saw an interview where one of the head honchos (not the woman) said all of the designs are theirs and they're stitched in Chicago. He added that he'd have them stitched in Cleveland if we had such a business.

Thank you!

CleJoe - As an aside, please tell your girlfriend, if she is not already aware of it, that we have an Anthropologies in Greater Cleveland - at Eton, Chagrin Boulevard in Woodmere.

 

As the last vacant (and currently ugly) storefront to go onto E. 4th I think I'd like to see something other than a store featuring clothing. does anyone know how the space compares in size with Dredgers?

Yes, Dredgers is definitely produced in the U.S. As noted above, designed in Cleveland (actually in the basement of the store, I believe) and then stitched in Chicago. Sean is the same guy who put together Wrath Arcane, where all the clothing was hand-stitched in the Futon Factory building. But for Dredgers' price point (Wrath Arcane was a little pricier), they needed to have more production capacity. I think they would prefer to have the clothes sewn in Cleveland, but there isn't anything currently of the scale they need locally. Hence, Chicago. I do know for sure that he's absolutely committed to seeing the clothes designed and manufactured within the U.S. ... Really central to his design philosophy.

Actuallly not all the designs are designed by them. There are mulltiple different labels in the store, all of which are made in the usa. They do design the Dredgers Union label though, and those are stitched in Chicago.

The french connection stuff is made in the US?

Yeah, sorry ... Should have been more specific that they're featuring the locally designed Dredgers Union label but also a number of other clothing lines that may or may not be domestically produced. Same goes for household goods. I was curious about the origin of some of the household items that seemed to only have a Dredgers Union tag on them. Vintage finds? Locally designed/produced specifically for Dredgers? Another label that I just didn't catch? I'm thinking specifically of the shorter funky lamps that they have placed throughout the store in about 6 different colors.

OHHHH. That's a big difference. Ok, thanks. I will still promote them, but not as a wholly "made in the USA" shop.

Not every item sold at Dredgers Union will be designed in Cleveland or made in America, but Bilovecky is committed to finding U.S.-made clothing whenever possible.

 

from the cleveland.com article about the store. I think it is as locally sourced as possible.

Article about "pop-up" shops in PD this a.m. not well written and will confuse people.  They were telling of shops that are "temporary" or, in this case, certain merchandise in the shops.  The name "pop-up" may be recent and trendy but basically the writer needed an angle and the idea was to publicize current doings in these stores.  The confusion was one might get the impression the whole Dredgers store is temporary and I'm sure it's just the merchandise referred to in the article.  Stores always had temporary merchandise and, in recent years, trunk shows, etc.  Deparment stores, in the Good Old Days, had real "events" and might feature, for example, merchandise from a certain country for a certain length of time.  Nothing new here!

 

Then the writer spoke of the store at Gordon Square which was very busy during the Gordon Square Arts Festival and really is temporary.  The writer also referred to yellowcake, newly opened on W. 25th.  I went there Sat. and thought it was "permanent" but now I'm not so sure.  Just clothing by the two designers mentioned will be there this short time or is it the entire shop?  Again, not clear writing.

 

Article about "pop-up" shops in PD this a.m. not well written and will confuse people.  They were telling of shops that are "temporary" or, in this case, certain merchandise in the shops.  The name "pop-up" may be recent and trendy but basically the writer needed an angle and the idea was to publicize current doings in these stores.  The confusion was one might get the impression the whole Dredgers store is temporary and I'm sure it's just the merchandise referred to in the article.  Stores always had temporary merchandise and, in recent years, trunk shows, etc.  Deparment stores, in the Good Old Days, had real "events" and might feature, for example, merchandise from a certain country for a certain length of time.  Nothing new here!

 

Then the writer spoke of the store at Gordon Square which was very busy during the Gordon Square Arts Festival and really is temporary.  The writer also referred to yellowcake, newly opened on W. 25th.  I went there Sat. and thought it was "permanent" but now I'm not so sure.  Just clothing by the two designers mentioned will be there this short time or is it the entire shop?  Again, not clear writing.

 

I met Valerie at Yellowcake. There's also a nice article about her and her plans in a supplement to this month's Cleveland Magazine.

 

Long story short, Yellowcake is a true-to-the-word pop-up shop. She told us the same thing that's in the article about her. She did a pop-up in Gordon Square and now Ohio City to see where she wants to land permanently. She's really an awesome gal!

^I had the same conversation with Valerie last week.  She said she's officially at the W25th location for 2 months and after that she'll determine where she wants to locate permanently.  But she said she really likes the W25th space so far.

I agree "pop up" is being misused and is confusing. I am pretty tooled in to the food things happening, and yet when Sawyer repeatedly referred to "pop up" opening of Noodlecat, I couldn't figure out if the restaurant was really open and in it's proper space or just like some traveling, representative cart until the space is ready. Turns out all it means is there is another chef in the space serving different food. This doesn't sound like "pop up" to me.

^ I think with Sawyer's "Brick & Mortar" program, he's hoping to have this be an ongoing series of pop-up restaurants in vacant storefronts. He just started with Noodlecat because he has control of the space and, of course, to promote Noodlecat.

Was back in Dredgers today - gorgeous weather with many people out. More customers and looking good.  They only had one kind of men's belt left - guy said they'd been selling briskly and they would get more in about a month. So keep the flow going, guys.

Liked what I saw of Dredger's Union.  Got an inexpensive shirt and a decortive ashtray -- no friends/family smoke so it's a conversation piece.  A good no. of people were milling about Sat. afternoon which was a good thing.  I wish them all the best; nice looking space.  Well done.

I made it to the Made in the 216 event at Dredgers Union today. A ton of people in the store.

 

On another note, does anyone know who owns that wretched spot between the now closed theater and Jimmy Johns Pizza? It looks absolutely horrible and really takes away from the area. Can someone at least put a coat of paint on the plywood or something so it doesn't look so terrible? It p*sses me off every time I walk past it.

Yeah, made it the 216 wasn't as big as in past years but it defiantly drew a crowd. I just couldn't justify paying $500 for a bicycle seat over a bicycle tire made into some sort of stool. If it were 10 bucks I may have bought it and lugged it onto the rapid with me.

I made it to the Made in the 216 event at Dredgers Union today. A ton of people in the store.

 

On another note, does anyone know who owns that wretched spot between the now closed theater and Jimmy Johns Pizza? It looks absolutely horrible and really takes away from the area. Can someone at least put a coat of paint on the plywood or something so it doesn't look so terrible? It p*sses me off every time I walk past it.

 

(Disclaimer: This will be a long response, because all am trying to do is shed a bit of history about the effort to improve the property mentioned above. I will refrain from mentioning names of the owners/developers as I think most here already know the parties who are responsible for the property. This response is to help this poster with the inquiry, and to let the poster know there is an effort out here that is trying to make a difference in situations as he describes. For those who do not care for my longer posts, feel free to ignore it--Thank You!)

Interesting you should mention this. On behalf of Cleveland Storefront Art's "Adopt-a-Storefront" Program, there have been numerous letters sent to the appropriate people about doing an improvement makeover free of charge courtesy of volunteers. This is the same effort that brought the APAMA character to Prospect, Mona Lisa in Halle's, and many other window makeovers. We were told by DCA that intent to do something with that front was soon. Well, that was about 5 months ago....and still nothing.

 

It took pulling teeth to get the Aperture Photography banners in the windows next door, and windows there cleaned. It did make that space look a bit better, although it was not the best of what we would have liked overall. So, it is no surprise to me the lack of attention given to that space.

 

Still, I agree, that one space looks horrendous, is really inexcusable to just leave it that way because it would cost virtually nothing to--at the very least--get it away from (as one UO-er put it at one time), the "Post WW2 Berlin bombing aftermath condition".... in such a high profile area..... and I am shocked that such a prominent development group who has done a lot of good things, would leave this site looking like this amidst the good things going on in that area. It is a stain in the middle of other respectable looking fronts.

 

We had a plan to clean it, then paint it...to essentially frame a mural that would have featured sepia, slightly colored misty color tone illustrations of many of the old big retail stores that once graced Euclid, as a sort of tribute. On it was going to be bullet point anecdotal information about each store and its time period of existence. That is when we were told by someone at DCA that plans had been made to paint it, or something. Again, that was several months ago and it still looks pathetic.

 

I believe another letter will be sent to inquire about what is going on with that. But yeah, every time I see it is is shameful. More storefront owners need to better understand that these spaces, which receive a lot of grime and dirt from road traffic, weather, etc...need to be washed, touched up with a bit of paint now and then, windows cleaned on a more regular basis to do justice to their historical appeal and the millions put into their restorations. Old world shopkeepers used to do this daily in such settings, not once a month or year. 

 

The lack of pride in window displays is actually a slap in the face to how grand Euclid was with its window displays. Maintaining such curb appeal was first and foremost, a part of everyday business. I hope to set example of this through the program, of how it can be done.

 

By the way, it could not hurt...and I would strongly suggest,  to write to the appropriate folks about this and express the concerns as to why this should be remedied. The solution in the interim to make these spots look a hell of a lot better is so simple. Watch what we will be doing between W. Blvd and W. 90th Street along Lorain Ave!

E.C.,

 

I appreciate your very detailed explanation.I appreciate the detail in that explains why it still sits in it's present state. I also would like to commend you(and the others that help you) with the window art/cleaning/temporary restoration. It makes a HUGE difference and you should be proud of your efforts. It is funny you mentioned the theatre. As I was walking past it yesterday, I thought to myself how much better the theatre looked and no one could really tell that it was vacant if you did not know any better. Thanks again!!

 

Back on topic

The old Bang and Clatter is now being used for free Yoga classes.  The first class was this past Saturday

For those who haven't seen the storefront of Dredger's Union yet...

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jjames0408/5924765918/#in/photostream

Me being nit-picky:

 

1) Is there supposed to be another flag on that pole furthest to the right? It's bothering my OCD tendencies.

 

2) Is there anything planned for that space currently covered in plywood? Expansion? Another (very small) storefront?

 

 

i saw it and thought 'native Cleveland' should be there.

^^ Again, it baffles me as to why such a prominent place and project development group could do one thing in the total positive, and yet miss the boat on a simple thing like a coat of paint or cleaning a window. This is exactly the poster child example of what I mean about a method of operation in the air here that dreams and wants to achieve the grandiose...and that is all well and good.. BUT, misses out on improving the smallest things that collectively become big things left unabated..and collectively, become a noticeable difference in the positive, if made right. 

 

That wood, in 25 minutes and $15.00 could be made to look heaps better.  It has been offered for FREE! I know some would rather make excuses, rationalize, and defend it, but I cannot buy any excuse for such a simple solution that can be implemented to make an improvement.  It has something to do with raising the standards in that sort of storefront stewardship department to well above mediocrity. We must take some constructive critique here once and while without people lashing out and saying... "You're negative"..."You're anti-Cleveland.... yabba, yabba, yabba".... It is a no brainer....DUH!

Amen!

:clap:

 

new downtown bike station to offer parking, lockers, showers for bike commuters

Thursday, August 04, 2011

 

Although it has faced more delays than a cyclist in a lake-effect snowstorm, the new downtown bike station finally is set to open by mid-August. And when it does, it will be the first of its kind in Ohio.

 

The new facility, called The Bike Rack, will offer 50 secure, indoor bike parking spaces and 10 outdoor spaces. It will also feature lockers for downtown commuters who would like to store fresh duds for the day without folding them. Finally, the facility will have three shower areas with private changing rooms.

 

John Sirignano, The Bike Rack's operations manager, says he hopes the new facility will not only serve existing bike commuters, but also spur additional riders to take the plunge. "If you're a commuter, then we want to get you thinking about biking to work," he says. "We're planning educational programs about what it takes to commute, and we'll offer free days so people can try it."

 

http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/devnews/thebikerackopening080411.aspx

 

^lovely.  although 50 indoor spots cant possible be enough, right?  What if 75 people pay for a monthly passed and do not have an indoor spot?

That'll be great for when I ride my bike downtown to visit friends in the newly renovated Columbia Building apartments.

Ouch!! We can always be a good little peasants and obey  by biking downtown to see the Billioniare's Hot Wheels set. We should all be so privileged to have such entertainment...

:clap:

 

new downtown bike station to offer parking, lockers, showers for bike commuters

Thursday, August 04, 2011

 

Although it has faced more delays than a cyclist in a lake-effect snowstorm, the new downtown bike station finally is set to open by mid-August. And when it does, it will be the first of its kind in Ohio.

 

The new facility, called The Bike Rack, will offer 50 secure, indoor bike parking spaces and 10 outdoor spaces. It will also feature lockers for downtown commuters who would like to store fresh duds for the day without folding them. Finally, the facility will have three shower areas with private changing rooms.

 

John Sirignano, The Bike Rack's operations manager, says he hopes the new facility will not only serve existing bike commuters, but also spur additional riders to take the plunge. "If you're a commuter, then we want to get you thinking about biking to work," he says. "We're planning educational programs about what it takes to commute, and we'll offer free days so people can try it."

 

http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/devnews/thebikerackopening080411.aspx

 

 

I really love the concept, and hope it takes off.  But it's too far from my office in the Galleria to really be convenient enough for me.

I really love the concept, and hope it takes off.  But it's too far from my office in the Galleria to really be convenient enough for me.

 

0.6 miles...a nice little 10-15 minute walk! :)

Just being honest. The shower would be alluring, but that would tack on more time and it's not necessary. Luckily I am not really a bad sweater ha ha. Right now I ride right up to right to my building with a change of clothes waiting at my desk. 

 

Time and cost are the most important factors for me. Coming from Lakewood it currently takes me 25-30 min. via bike.

 

Driving plus parking (at the cheapo lot!) takes the same exact amount of time.

 

So for me,  the bike station adds both costs and time that's not really in my budget right now. But I know a lot of people are going to love it.

Luckily I am not really a bad sweater ha ha. Right now I ride right up to right to my building with a change of clothes waiting at my desk. 

 

Then a European shower will do the trick, haha.

Luckily I am not really a bad sweater ha ha. Right now I ride right up to right to my building with a change of clothes waiting at my desk. 

 

 

 

Then a European shower will do the trick, haha.

 

Does that include rubbing a croissant all over ones self!!

Luckily I am not really a bad sweater ha ha. Right now I ride right up to right to my building with a change of clothes waiting at my desk. 

 

 

 

Then a European shower will do the trick, haha.

 

Does that include rubbing a croissant all over ones self!!

 

surfohio , you left yourself so open.  This one is way to easy.  I'm going to let this one slide! :)

Luckily I am not really a bad sweater ha ha. Right now I ride right up to right to my building with a change of clothes waiting at my desk. 

 

 

 

Then a European shower will do the trick, haha.

 

Does that include rubbing a croissant all over ones self!!

 

surfohio , you left yourself so open.  This one is way to easy.  I'm going to let this one slide! :)

 

Thanks MTS! My morale today is low enough lol.

Luckily I am not really a bad sweater ha ha. Right now I ride right up to right to my building with a change of clothes waiting at my desk. 

 

 

 

Then a European shower will do the trick, haha.

 

Does that include rubbing a croissant all over ones self!!

 

surfohio , you left yourself so open.  This one is way to easy.  I'm going to let this one slide! :)

 

Thanks MTS! My morale today is low enough lol.

 

haha! Although I am extremely skeptical of the whole bike handlebar/streamer concept for the facade treatment.. I think its going to give the place a very great look in the middle of the city. I hope the concept takes off, and I am proud of the cycling culture here.

Discussion of the RTA downtown trolley and Healthline was moved to:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,4504.0.html

 

I apologize for getting the East 4th discussion off-topic. Situation corrected. Carry on!

Just a few questions.

 

1. Is C.L.E. Clothing Co. actually moving into the Windsor Building corner storefront on East 4th?

 

2. Whats with the storefront next Dredgers Union?

 

3. Any idea what the plans are for the Volk's building?

OPEN FOR BUSINESS  :clap:

 

Cleveland: 'The Bike Rack' opens on E. 4th Street

 

CLEVELAND -- A one-of-a-kind bicycle parking facility is opening in downtown Cleveland on Friday.

 

The Bike Rack is where riders can park their bikes and comes equipped with showers, lockers, and a bike rental for those who want to ride around downtown.

 

Rates start as low as $5 a day or $25 for the month.

 

There is a lot of activity going on with infrastructure now to make Cleveland a more bike-friendly city.

 

http://www.wkyc.com/news/article/203624/45/Cleveland-The-Bike-Rack-opens-on-E-4th-Street