It’s a store with gifts made by the locals, for the locals.
“Artists around Cleveland and designers that make local stuff is a big part of who we are,” she said. “There’s not many boutiques around doing this idea.”
General manager Megan Coffman the store offers a lot of local flare.
“Basically, this artist picks up each glass off of Lake Eerie’s shores and makes awesome jewelry out of it,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
According to the 3/50 Project, for above every $100 you spend at locally owned stores, up to $70 can go back into the local economy.
However, for every $100 you spend at a non-local store, about $40 goes back into the local economy.
“I knew there was a lot of local artisans in Cleveland, but I didn’t really realize it until I came to this store actually that there’s so many people focusing on what’s good about Cleveland,” Watkins said.
He and his wife, Carolyn, found that from T-shirts to furniture to baby clothes–there’s a little something for everyone.
“Just really unique T-shirts and jewelry and gift ideas,” Carolyn said. “We bought stuff for my step son and my other step son in New Orleans. It’s a little bit of home.”
Popular items include screen-print tees, jewelry, art posters and homemade soaps.
Coffman said she hopes to add a line of shoes to the store, and she’s always looking for new vendors.It’s a new store hoping to revive the roots of the city, proving that there’s nothing better than a taste of home.
“It’s easy to get down on Cleveland,” Carolyn said, “but a shop like this really expresses the joy of Cleveland and the fun of being here.
For a list of store hours and other info on Native Cleveland, click here.