TropiCLE Plants
TropiCLE Plants sees plants as more than just a product — they’re a passion, according to owner Brian Martin, who grew up helping in the backyard garden.
Martin worked in sales and marketing for a decade before realizing he wasn’t happy with what he was selling, so he decided to sell plants.
Opened in December 2022, the storefront specializes in indoor tropical plants, many of them canopy plants, which grow under tall trees and receive filtered sunlight.
“The plants aren’t the type that would need to have full sun, so they’re perfect for a home or a business,” Martin says. “You can have a brown thumb and grow these plants because they typically grow in very harsh conditions.”
The bulk of the business is providing corporate plantscaping, but TropiCLE Plants’ business model doesn’t stop at selling the plants. Customers can also sign up for a subscription to have their plants maintained and replaced if necessary.
Looking ahead, Martin says he hopes to break into the event sector and provide plants for weddings, trade shows and more.
33117 Center Ridge Road, 216-316-7025, tropicleplants.com
Between the Bun
Customers can expect to find more than a burger at Between the Bun. With a pool table, table games and more, the venue promises fun for all ages, according to owners Lacia and John Rutherford.
In addition to almost 10 gourmet burgers, the restaurant serves up pregame snacks, salads, chicken wraps, sandwiches and more.
Lacia Rutherford opened the business in August 2022 in what used to be a bowling alley.
“We wanted to have somewhere where people can come hang out, have a good time and be with their kids,” Lacia says. “Families can have a nice meal, and the kids can also go play and let their parents have some downtime.”
John Rutherford adds that the games allow kids to move around instead of being stuck at the table or scrolling on their phones.
“John and I are really in it,” Lacia says. “We both cook, serve drinks, make specialty cocktails and talk with customers.”
Looking ahead, Between the Bun will open a party room for birthday and graduation celebrations, business outings and more.
34445 Center Ridge Road, 440-281-8885, betweenbun.com
Glow Fitness Studio
The radiant sheen that clients achieve after a session at Glow Fitness Studio comes from more than just the sweat and endorphins — it’s also created by the sense of community at the gym.
“All of our clients get along and have fun and support each other. It’s been neat to see them all change their lives by getting fit and healthy as one big group,” says Jessica Beckett, co-owner and head trainer.
Founded in October 2022, the circuit training gym offers high-intensity interval training and classes such as a fight class (kickboxing), energy class (cardio), strong class (weight based), athletic (combination of cardio and weights), flow (yoga and Pilates) and kids’ classes.
“Our classes are excellent for all fitness levels, and our incredible trainer Jessica can modify anything to suit your needs,” says Brittany Brookbank, co-owner of Glow Fitness Studio. “Many have compared our gym to a video game-like atmosphere with the interactive floor and wall. The workouts go so quickly, and every class is a different workout. It never gets boring.”
Each 50-minute class can accommodate 16 people and is set up with eight stations. Anyone can attend classes by becoming a member or by purchasing individual classes.
39245 Center Ridge Road, 440-406-8002, glowfitnessstudionr.com
EQ Technologies
Michael Schaffer and Jason Frindt went from rivals to partners and friends when they teamed up to create EQ Technologies.
“Schaffer put a lot of time and energy into building the company, and I brought the certifications and qualifications on the technical side,” Frindt says.
Founded in 2013, EQ Technologies specializes in audio, surveillance, video and smart home technologies as well as home theater installation and equipment, all with minimal visible wires. EQ moved to North Ridgeville in 2021. Schaffer serves as the principal owner, while Frindt is partial owner and acts as chief technology and financial officer.
“We’re at the bleeding edge of technology,” Schaffer says. “Our customers end up with simple technology with a nice, clean look. We have a great team of people who can come into people’s homes and help them understand the equipment.”
EQ Technologies engineers much of the technology from scratch, working with builders and developers early in the process. It also offers similar services to small businesses.
“With these systems, people forget they are in the background and part of their day-to-day life, but we’re in there early when the building begins,” Frindt says.
34910 Center Ridge Road, 216-440-6179, EQTechnologies.com
Smash Pizza Kitchen
What began as an occasional partnership between Andrew Edreff and Jenso Soto at events such as the Lorain International Festival has evolved into a full-fledged pizza shop: Smash Pizza Kitchen.
After continuing to team up and cook at pop-up events, the pair eventually opened a food truck. They then started providing food for brick-and-mortars around the area before moving into a designated building in February 2023.
A rarity these days, the shop serves what it does best — pizza and only pizza.
“We only do pizza, but we do really good pizzas,” Jenso says, calling out the Dilly Dilly pickle pizza, a fan favorite. “For us, we’re more about cooking the food and making it ourselves versus cracking open bags of frozen stuff (like wings and chicken tenders) and selling it to people. When you add too many things to your menu, you lose sight of who you are.”
Smash Pizza Kitchen is a small-batch kitchen and items don’t stay on the menu for too long.
“That’s hard with the demand of customers sometimes, but when you’re touching the ingredients and cooking it yourself, you put your passion into it, and that makes it special,” Edreff says.
7054 Avon Belden Road, smashpizzakitchen.com
KLM Home Decor
KLM Home Decor became etched into creation when owner Elysia Pasenow started making signs as gifts while she stayed at home to care for her son, who has special needs.
“From there, more people started asking me for them,” says Pasenow, who started the business with her husband Jason during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I started to do more custom orders and going to more craft shows.”
The Pasenow family opened a storefront about a year ago. Jason and Elysia’s daughter also helps in the store. KLM now creates personalized signs, custom wood flags and even floating shelving.
“People come to us with all sorts of things they want,” Elysia says. “We made a bowling rack for someone. We’ve done toyboxes.”
Once a customer decides on an item, the turnaround time is usually two to three weeks.
KLM also offers paint parties and open time slots for painting and crafting and storefront spaces for vendors with handmade items and young artisans. It also sells items crafted by the special needs students at North Ridgeville High School, with 100% of the money going back to them.
“We’ve always been about encouraging everyone to be crafty and artsy,” Elysia says.
6287 Lear Nagle Road, 440-654-3332, facebook.com/klmhomedecor