Best Of Cleveland 2025: The Shops and Products Behind a Thriving Style Scene

Best Claw Clips: Shop Charlie Girl

Ashton Rodriguez has actor Pedro Pascal to thank for her success, after a wall hanging of his leg made from laser-cut acrylic put Shop Charlie Girl on the map in 2023. “That silly little design changed my life,” she says. Now, Rodriguez’s accessories captivate buyers thanks to her quirky style, nostalgic details and, most important, her knack for what’s hot in pop culture. A partnership with Kit-Cat Klock for a licensed kitty claw clip helped launch her hair accessory line of hand-drawn, nonslip claw clips ($12-$22), many inspired by feel-good memories and niche film references. “If you do things for the right reason, they will eventually find the right people,” Rodriguez says. shopcharliegirl.com

Best Fidget Tool: Little Ouchies

Created with neurodivergent individuals in mind, Little Ouchies provide a safe, satisfying way to meet adverse sensory needs. The brand, co-owned by Katherine Frederick and founder Craig Butrick, designs pieces from PLA bioplastic to comfortably support those with autism, anxiety, PTSD or body-focused repetitive behaviors like scratching or biting. Discrete shapes and colors fit into everyday situations. “(Little Ouchies) are designed to, quite literally, scratch that itch without doing harm to the body,” says Butrick. The signature spikes are angled for noticeable sensation without risking injury. The product line includes mini and regular grippies, chapstick holders, click-and-squish toys, can sleeves, lighter cases and more. Pride editions are available year-round, and proceeds go toward LGBTQ causes and beyond, echoing the company’s mission of inclusion, fair labor and supporting the communities it serves. More than just a product, Little Ouchies is designed to promote grounding and emotional regulation. littleouchies.com

Best Fly Fishing Shop: Chagrin River Outfitters

From fall to spring, fly fishermen stand knee-deep in the Chagrin, Grand and Rocky rivers, hoping to net steelhead trout. “People who fish around the world are blown away by how good our fishing is,” says Dan Pribanic, owner of Chagrin River Outfitters in downtown Chagrin Falls. Pribanic started with a spinning rod when he was 5 years old, but eventually, the fly rod became his tool of choice. The angling method often hooks those who bite, and since 2006, Pribanic’s flyshop has become a hub for guide trips, classes and pointers. “For me,” Pribanic says, “it’s more rewarding to see other people have a good time and catch fish than actually doing it myself.” chagrinriveroutfitters.com

Best Gardening Soil: Tilth Soil

The worker-owned cooperative behind Rust Belt Riders developed Tilth Soil, a high-quality consumer gardening mix certified for organic growing, with food scraps from local neighbors and takeout spots. “Each person generates about 380 pounds of food scraps per year,” says co-owner and director of soil Nathan Rutz. “A long-term goal of mine is to have three-quarters of food scraps find a better home.” In 2024, the company collected and composted 4,000 tons of local food waste. Rust Belt Riders is aiming for 20,000 tons by 2030. Compared to manufactured topsoil, which only has about 10% to 20% compost, Tilth’s organic raised bed mix, Grow ($15), is peat-free and mostly compost, with pine bark, sand and organic nutrient amendments to give microbes a boost. tilthsoil.com

Best Gemologist: Marika Gems

At Marika Gems in Rocky River, a pair of gold cone-shaped earrings catch the light. Owner Marika Emerson D’Orel thrifted them at age 8, before her ears were even pierced. Her early eye for archival wearables led to metalworking and a line called Ay Marieke sold in West Coast boutiques. Then, a career in jewelry appraisal while earning a Graduate Gemologist diploma unlocked priceless affiliations. “What I am seeking above all else is good quality,” Emerson D’Orel says. “How is a piece made? How is it finished? Is it comfortable? Have I ever seen something like this before? I buy and sell pieces that I love and respond to emotionally.” marikagems.com 

Best Hand-Blown Glass Lamps: Nate Cotterman

For Nate Cotterman and his wife, Antonia Campanella, lighting has always been personal. The duo behind Nate Cotterman Glass combines timeless design with the fluid, hands-on art of glassblowing to create modern heirloom pieces, bringing a human touch to any room. Inspired by midcentury forms and shaped by Cotterman’s early love of the craft, each lamp begins with customized color sampling and ends with meticulous attention to balance and finish. “We let function lead the design, while never compromising quality,” Cotterman says. From the versatile Piano series to the striking suspended Blossom chandelier, the studio’s lighting is as adaptable as it is artful. Pieces are customizable (prices vary) in glass shade color, metal finish and drop length. “People have built rooms around our pieces,” Cotterman says. With excitement around the new Iris series, including the brand’s first floor lamp, this Chardon-based studio continues to push boundaries with craftsmanship and care. natecotterman.com

Best Planting Bar: Gift Mill Run

At Gift Mill Run, plants are more than a purchase. They’re an experience. Co-owners Dana Jenkins and her daughter Brittney Geerken invite customers to create their arrangements down to the pot. Add a decorative rock, mini-sign and floral pick. Plant alongside guidance from the team, or let them do the work for a gift-ready package. The retail space at Market 42 in Brunswick offers succulents, houseplants and air plants, plus seasonal workshops. The joy is in the details, from cheeky pot sayings like “Oh For Succs Sake” to memorable moments like children crafting gifts for Mother’s Day. “The interactive experience of planting your own custom creation while creating a memory makes the planting bar fun for our customers and for us,” Jenkins says. “We love seeing finished creations.” giftmillrun.com

Best Puzzle Books: Cleverland Puzzle Design

Secret codes and nonograms are everyday handiwork for Cleverland Puzzle founder Claire Mercer, who creates all her illustrated stumpers. ​“In the age of AI, appreciating the handwritten and analog — taking time to complete tasks — is very important for me,” she says. Her book Cleveland Conundrums debuted in 2023 and started a growing community of pun-loving, word-nerding enthusiasts. “It’s always interesting to hear what type of puzzles people prefer,” says Mercer, who leans toward storytelling brain teasers, but there’s no best puzzle or right way to solve it. “Sometimes you may not have the knowledge to complete a puzzle,” she adds. “Puzzles are meant to be fun, not frustratingly difficult.” cleverlandpuzzle.com

Best Romantasy Books: Flame & Fable

When the romantasy genre burst onto the book scene, Nickie Lui was smitten by series like Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses. Now, her Lakewood bookstore feeds local readers’ fiery passion for all things romance and fantasy. “My whole life, there was this stigma around reading romance, like it was trashy,” Lui says. “I just want people to be able to read whatever book they want in public.” Lui maintains a deep knowledge of the genre, stocking 50% indie authors alongside big names like Maas and Rebecca Yarros. If it’s popular on #BookTok, she’s got it — and can recommend others like it. “If you want a book about dark fairies or stalkers, I can point you in the right direction,” she says. “I want to be a space where people can feel comfortable coming in and asking questions.” flameandfablebooks.com

Best Size-Inclusive Vintage Clothing: Secondhand Stare

Alysse Dalessandro believes everyone deserves to have a well-outfitted closet, no matter their size. “This is something I do to fill a community need,” says the plus-sized influencer and founder of Secondhand Stare. What started as a small closet sale grew into a flourishing consignment experience for sizes large to 7X. Clothes sold online and in-person at Reclamation (Shaker Heights) and Paradise Galleria (Cleveland) feature vintage and current-day sizing on tags, a level of stretch in product descriptions and clear material care instructions. “It’s a matter of people seeing larger bodies as worthy of taking up space,” Dalessandro says. secondhandstare.com

Best Skincare Kit: OY-L

Starting from a makeshift “lab” on her kids’ air hockey table, Andrea Pierce-Naymon navigated trial and error to find OY-L’s plant-based treatment, designed to maintain skin’s natural glow. Now, those years of chemistry are in specialty value packs at Orange Rose Apothecary in Hudson. The Starter Kit ($60) is a travel-sized set of OY-L’s most popular products, from face cream to cleansing powder. “You get samples of everything that you would need,” Pierce-Naymon says. “A lot of people start that way and find their favorite product.” Other kits are specialized for skin that’s dry, oily or somewhere in between, and ingredients are informed by ancient healing sources, like Manuka honey, tremella mushroom and other botanicals. “I wanted it to have a more luxurious feel,” Pierce-Naymon says. oy-l.com

THIS vs. THAT: Best Sneakerhead Haven

The Feet Geeks

Location: Tower City

Opened: 2022

The Gear: Rare sneakers, vintage sportswear, local brands.

Shoes to Fill: At first, Madison Williams only sold shoes, but inspired by Cleveland’s treasure troves of sports gear and local brands, he quickly added apparel to the mix. Now, his shop is home to iconic finds like Jordan sneakers, throwback jerseys and other unique items made by Clevelanders, for Clevelanders.

Holy Grail: Nike’s collab with rapper Travis Scott.

Step by Step: “People in Cleveland that started their own clothing brand need a place to help them sell it,” Williams says. “I like catching stuff you don’t see people wearing anymore.” thefeetgeeks.com

440 Kicks

Location: Playhouse Square

Opened: 2024

The Gear: Sneakers, accessories and trendy streetwear.

Shoes to Fill: 440 Kicks stocks hard-to-find shoes made by brands like Nike, Adidas and Asics — plus apparel from Supreme and Sp5der and collectables from Bearbrick. The store also sells on resale app Whatnot to more than 135,000 followers. 

Holy Grail: Nike Dunk Low Premium SB Gibson Guitar Case.

Step by Step: “I wanted to bring the hype back to Cleveland,” owner Hayden Speeth says. “I want to have a cool spot where people can get their shoes checked, work a trade out, look for that next grail (or) talk about sneakers. I’m all for just connecting with people.” 440kicks.com

Best Store Decor: Paradise Galleria

A fridge door opens into a pizza-filled tunnel; a teen dream bedroom transports you back in time with ’80s pop art; a slide delivers shoppers into the lower level. This is Ohio City’s “mall of dreams.” Paradise Galleria’s 13,000-square-foot space has spawned viral moments on social media and drawn in celebrities like Billy Corgan, Machine Gun Kelly and Pete Davidson for shopping visits. “It seemed like every couple of weeks we’d be viral for a minute,” says co-owner Cassie Trainer. “As soon as that would happen, the floodgates would open, and we would get hundreds of people in on any given day.” That attention makes sense, when you experience the nostalgic, funky decor designed and built by Trainer and co-owner Haley Himiko Hudson Morris — along with vintage shopping selections from two dozen vendors and a handful of independent designers and artists. “We love what we’re doing,” says Morris, “and we’ve believed in it from the start. But we’re a little blindsided by the amount of people who totally get it.” instagram.com/theparadisegalleria

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