Posted February 14, 200817 yr I know A Piece of Cleveland (APOC) has been mentioned on here in various places, but I felt like starting a new thread for them, as I think they are SO COOL!!! From their website: www.apieceofcleveland.com About APOC A Piece Of Cleveland provides new life for old materials. We work primarily with salvaged lumber and wood recovered from businesses. All of our products have a unique story and design. No two pieces are identical. In a way, you are buying a custom made creation when you choose APOC! With each item that you purchase from A Piece Of Cleveland we will send with it a “Re-Birth Certificate” that tells you everything you need to know about your product. We explain where the materials were recovered, who helped re-birth the materials to life, and what interesting stories that we have unearthed about the design and materials. Our goal is to preserve and create.
February 14, 200817 yr Wow, this really is the coolest thing! And their designs are pretty sharp too. Sure beats just b!thing and moaning when things get torn down (though I don't plan on stopping anytime soon).
February 15, 200817 yr I believe that the marble walls from Adelstein's were turned into counter tops for a green rehab in Detroit Shoreway that one our other forumers might know more about. :wink: A store called Planet Green just opened in Rocky River (19054 Old Detroit Road), and will market A Piece of Cleveland's products. I guess it sells sustainable and organic items, including furniture. From Green City Blue Lake --- The grand opening of the West side's first organic lifestyle store representing local and organic products from twenty vendors, including Green Clean, Good Nature Lawn Care, A Piece of Cleveland (tables, candlesticks, frames made from wood reclaimed from Cleveland homes), Nicole McGee (who makes jewelry and cards from re-used paper, wire, cable, glass, metal, stones, re-used pieces of other people's jewelry), Esperanza Threads and more locally made, quality goods.
February 18, 200817 yr ^Shouldn't that store, of all stores, be in the city? Sorry to be so grouchy, but I just got back from a trip to Pittsburgh and it's striking to me how much neighborhood retail they have compared with Cleveland. They don't have to drive to the suburbs to buy clothes and shoes -- amazing, huh? Even the Trader Joe's and Whole Foods there are in the city. Anyway, back on topic: APOC is very cool. I have one of their cutting boards, made from some flooring removed from the church next door to where I live.
February 18, 200817 yr I'm sure we all agree here and I even contacted them and told them that they need to open a shop in Detroit-Shoreway or St. Clair-Superior! I also echo your sentiment about Pittsburgh and neighborhood retail. It is possible to have restaurants and shopping in city neighborhoods! But that's another thread...
February 18, 200817 yr very cool! I bet the stuff is expensive? I agree it should to be in the city, but there is nothing stopping anyone from opening a similar place in the city. Weird thing is, I not overly organized religious, but it struck me as a little sad to make a cutting board out of a historic church floor. I know it is better than chopping down a tree or throwing the boards in a landfill... I guess I would love to be the floor boards used in a home for a new floor or a piece of furniture that will last a life time. No biggie though
February 18, 200817 yr What's their e-mail? what's up, lazy bones? http://www.apieceofcleveland.com/html/contact_apoc.html [email protected]
February 19, 200817 yr great idea. the website is rudimentary -- do they have a showroom? i would guess they would need a big outdoor showyard too for some stuff? the only thing that scares me a little is the "redesign" of the historic materials. they seem very into doing that. maybe i am just od'ing on antiques roadshow lately, but that could ruin the value. :laugh: --- so do you know if they also collect & sell the "untouched" historic remnants as well?
February 19, 200817 yr I'll bet if you emailed them at the above address, they could provide insight! Then, report back!
February 19, 200817 yr ^Shouldn't that store, of all stores, be in the city? Sorry to be so grouchy, but I just got back from a trip to Pittsburgh and it's striking to me how much neighborhood retail they have compared with Cleveland. They don't have to drive to the suburbs to buy clothes and shoes -- amazing, huh? Even the Trader Joe's and Whole Foods there are in the city. Anyway, back on topic: APOC is very cool. I have one of their cutting boards, made from some flooring removed from the church next door to where I live. A Piece of Cleveland doesn't own and operate the store. Planet Green is totally independent of APOC. APOC is only a product carried there. But yes, Planet Green should be located in the city and not Rocky River!
February 21, 200817 yr Got an e-mail back from APOC's Chris Kious that they're talking to Room Service in Detroit-Shoreway about carrying some of their product. That seems like a good fit, maybe a stand-alone store if they grow...
February 21, 200817 yr bingo! perfect spot for a few pieces. And yes, I hope they grow enough to have their own shop eventually, but maybe that's not what they want? You know where they'd be perfect??? In the old Lou's Furniture store on Detroit! Recycled furniture, recycled building, the whole deal!
February 21, 200817 yr ^ I see the Lorain Antiques District as an interesting place for an APOC store. Do you think it'd fit in there, Mapboy?
February 21, 200817 yr ^ I see the Lorain Antiques District as an interesting place for an APOC store. Do you think it'd fit in there, Mapboy? There and Shaker Square/Larchmere as well as somewhere in Hough/Fairfax & AsiaTown
February 22, 200817 yr ^ I see the Lorain Antiques District as an interesting place for an APOC store. Do you think it'd fit in there, Mapboy? Hadn't thought of that! It's a good idea, but I'd vote for Gordon Square, since it's closer to me! It's all about the proprietors, though, and I really don't know if they aspire to having their own retail location. I'm sure hearing from prospective customers wouldn't hurt!
April 22, 200817 yr APOC has a new website design, with more info and photos: http://www.apieceofcleveland.com/index.asp
June 17, 200816 yr I'm watching the Fox 8 news right now, and a teaser for Robin Swoboda's show eluded to APOC being on tomorrow. There's nothing about it on the website, but it looks like Fox 8 posts the segments on the Web after the show airs.
June 18, 200816 yr ^ Yes! APOC was featured on the "That's Life with Robin Swoboda." If you want to watch the APOC segment, you can click here. It was an excellent piece. But if that doesn't work, you can go to the show's webpage here.
June 18, 200816 yr APOC's products shown in that video are well designed and well made. On the downside, the reporter, Jen, was the single most annoying person I have ever seen on any city's local news channel. And that's saying quite a bit.
June 30, 200816 yr APOC's inaugural email blast (sorry if the formatting is a little jacked up)... --- Our inaugural email is packed with great news! First, we would like to thank you for supporting our vision for "Rescuing & Upcycling Good Wood". We rescue the wood because it's unique; it has character, history and beauty that shouldn't be thrown away. We also upcycle the wood because it's worth it; we are turning the wood into something more valuable and beautiful, and therefore taking it further from the landfill. One thing we have discovered is that Cleveland was built using good lumber. APOC In The News! A Piece Of Cleveland has been very fortunate to be covered by so many media sources. Maybe you heard about APOC through one of these: "Rebuilding Cleveland by taking it apart" 90.3 WCPN - 04/14/2008 http://www.wcpn.org/index.php/WCPN/news/12037/ "New company reclaims old-growth wood from razed buildings" The Plain Dealer - 04/24/2008 "Local company turns Cleveland's history green" WKYC Channel 3 - 4/29/08 http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=88279&catid=213 "That's Life - With Robin Swoboda" Fox 8 - 6/17/08 Earth Watch Ohio Feb/Mar 2008 Issue http://www.earthwatchohio.org/pubs/febmar08/apoc.htm Construction & Demolition Recycling Magazine February, 2008 Issue http://www.cdrecycler.com/articles/article.asp?MagID=2&ID=5124&IssueID=246 Special Thanks A special thanks to our clients and partners, like: Rocco and the partners at Fahrenheit, Rebecca and the staff at Planet Green, and the whole team at Thunder::Tech (watch us install their massive conference table here!). APOC Photos APOC Easy Chair APOC Counter & Cabinet APOC Book Cubes Join Our Mailing List! We're also working on some exciting new projects including 30 new tables for Fahrenheit in Tremont and a collaboration with artist Gadi Zamir.
July 3, 200816 yr That's great to hear about APOC's commission for Fahrenheit, that'll be an excuse to visit again. Planet Green in Rocky River is a great place to check out APOC items, they have a pretty good selection of everything from cutting boards of various sizes to an entire bed. That place is a hoot anyway, Rebecca (the owner) was exceedingly excited to show me some Alpaca dung (locally, erm, "procured" of course!) gift packs they had put together as Father's Day presents.
July 3, 200816 yr You can also see their work at Tyler Village, where APOC's world headquarters happen to be.
July 10, 200816 yr OK, this is not strictly A Piece of Cleveland news, the PD had a nice article about deconstructing abandoned houses rather than demolishing them. Would be awesome if this practice took hold. If I build a house someday, I would kill to have access to old hardwood. http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/07/_scott_shaw_the_plain.html
September 26, 200816 yr From the latest e-newsletter of the APOC mailing list. (sorry for the lack of photos, which look phenomenal) --- APOC News Thanks to so many in the local and national media, we have been able to quickly spread the good news about APOC, our products and our customers. We have been spotted in Northern Ohio Live, Crain's Cleveland Business, the Plain Dealer and Inside Business! Keep your eyes open for some future sightings in more local media, and some national players, too. Over these few months we have fabricated various custom pieces for our clients. Our creations include kitchen countertops, all sorts of tables, benches, and wall pieces. All the while though, we have been busy in the workshop, creating new retail products for everyone to enjoy. Our cutting boards and chopping blocks (seen above to the right) have been hot-selling items, but we think the best is yet to come. For example, our designers have been busy with lamps and light boxes. More prototypes are on deck and soon to be launched. Keep your eyes open for A Piece Of Cleveland! Street Sightings Have you seen APOC around town yet? Maybe you're not looking hard enough. There is always a piece of Cleveland somewhere. How about Fahrenheit Restaurant? Send us your images of APOC products seen around town. Your photo may be in the next newsletter! You can see APOC at a variety of great local events. We love showcasing our prototypes of furniture and fixtures. Look for us here at these weekend events! Neighborhoods of Shaker Square Home Tour, Saturday September 27 from 2 to 6pm. "An Evening Of The Senses" at the Wooltex Gallery this Sunday, September 28 at 5:30pm. With the powerful response that we have received from you and other customers, we know that we are on the right path. Without you, we couldn't continue to "rescue and upcycle good wood." Sincerely, The APOC Team Aaron, PJ, Ezra and Chris www.apieceofcleveland.com
January 6, 200916 yr http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/01/deconstruction_salvages_abando.html Deconstruction salvages abandoned Cleveland homes Posted by Grant Segall/Plain Dealer Reporter January 03, 2009 18:25PM Categories: Neighborhoods, Real Time News A forklift on a boom reached into an open home to wriggle a wall back and forth. The wall finally came loose and clattered to the floor.
January 6, 200916 yr ^As a carpenter and as a lover of all things urban, I've been saying to my buddies that this is going to be the trend (and a potentially lucrative business) of the future. As the economy worsens and credit gets tighter, the U.S. may find itself having a harder time financing imports in the coming years - leading to shortages of whatever we don't make here. Deconstructing/salvaging homes and structures (along with rehabbing existing ones instead of building new in greenfields) will be a way to keep the business of construction (i.e., economic development) going in the future.
January 30, 200916 yr APOC has a blog now: http://apieceofcleveland.blogspot.com/ ...and a page of Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/apieceofcleveland/
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