Collinwood Features Recreation, Sunsets and Businesses in Cleveland

Ask one of its residents where they live, and it’s not unusual to hear, “I’m from Collinwood.” Not Cleveland. Not the East Side. Collinwood. Historically settled by those with Italian heritage, today’s multi-cultural neighborhood is a reflection of strong personalities and pride.

Communities include North Shore Collinwood, ideal for those who look to Lake Erie for recreation and sunsets over water. Residential Nottingham Village is a close-knit area with Lake Erie just to the north. South Collinwood has a bit of urban attitude and a bit of green for its residents. Waterloo Arts District has built a reputation for art, poetry, music and avant-garde and underground cultural events that have started trends or movements. This year’s Waterloo Arts Fest, Saturday, September 12, is the place to be seen if you are an emerging artist, a street musician or someone with just a cool tattoo.

Don’t miss Cleveland Metroparks’ Euclid Beach Park, the former home of Euclid Beach Amusement Park that existed from 1895 to 1969. Walk the 315-foot-long pier and admire the ironwork arches with depictions of carousel horses, Laughing Sal and the Rocket Ship cars. Also, Beachland Ballroom and Tavern is a venue firmly embedded in Cleveland’s eclectic musical history since 2000.

On the horizon: redevelopment of the former Dave’s Market site and neighboring lots along Lakeshore Blvd. in North Collinwood. The City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Land Bank and First Interstate Properties are looking at the future of this site.

Neighborhood Spotlights

Rich Fleck, an alum of St. Joseph High School, was eager to stretch his wings and leave the hometown he had known all his life. And for a while he did just that. But when the opportunity arose four years ago for Fleck and his business partner (a Collinwood High School grad) to move their business, The City Desk, to his old neighborhood, that lure was powerful.

Fleck worked with local economic development corporations and other resources to find the best location and support for his business. 

“There are opportunities in Collinwood. And affordability. The Lake is only a minute away and downtown Cleveland is about seven minutes away,” he says. Now they own their own building. “As a small business, I never felt like I was all alone here. There is lots of support.”

The City Desk can boast of “one of the largest showrooms of quality pre-owned and close out/discounted products in Cleveland.” The company, which works with clients nationwide, also offers new furnishings, design services and installations, primarily focused at mid-market clients. But you would be surprised, says Fleck, at the number of highly successful companies that mix brand new furniture with high-end, cleaned and refurbished used furnishings. It’s just good business sense, especially based on today’s rising prices, he says. 

Fleck, who has been married to his high school sweetheart for 23 years, gives back to his community. His business focuses on commercial inventories, but sometimes he may receive items including appliances or new clothing in a liquidation transaction. That refrigerator may not be suitable for an office setting, but great for an apartment. Fleck works with local ministries to help individuals transitioning from being unhoused to having a place of their own and getting what they need.

“You don’t forget a place like Collinwood,” says Fleck.

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Dethroning the Gusherburger as Roaming Meals’ most popular selection would be tough. The generously stuffed burger is available in a number of variations, including the Signature Gusherburger with onions, bell peppers, Gouda cheese and the Gusherburger all-purpose seasoning, which is included in many of the other menu items as well and will be available for purchase online and in stores soon. Speaking of other menu offerings, the tacos and wings are right up there, too. 

But owner Erick Billups’ vegan options — rice, tacos, burgers and more — have greatly expanded. Billups (a Cleveland native and former Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper) offers his casual fare at his 794 E. 185th location (mostly carry-out with limited seating) and from his food truck, now mostly catering focused. 

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Sweet Bean has been luring candy connoisseurs since March to its new Collinwood location. The expanded space, will allow owner and chocolatier Kristin Barnes to offer more tastings and classes, plus more space for display cases for her 24-plus varieties of bonbons. 

Barnes approached her business, which she officially began in 2013, “from the artistic side.” Bonbon flavors include Blackberry Lavender, Strawberry Pretzel and Red Wine and Dark Chocolate. Plus, they sell Euclid Beach Original Candy Kisses in the bright yellow wrappers.