Learn how three local businesses have recently expanded to new homes up the street, around the corner, or across the way — but still right here in Shaker.
By Sharon Holbrook | Photography by Jason Miller
Richard Uria and Karen Chaikin
District Gallery
The idea for District Gallery was first written up on a napkin.
Two of the co-founders, Richard Uria and the late Bob Roth, met on an airplane and got to talking about art, their own collections, and the need for a modern, contemporary-style art gallery in Cleveland. They immediately thought of collector Karen Chaikin, Roth’s niece, as a partner on the project, and soon the three had moved beyond the napkin to put plans for the gallery in action.
District Gallery opened in the Van Aken District in 2019 on Walker Road next to the CLE Clothing Store. It quickly grew, and Chaikin and Uria were running out of space to display and store art in the 1,800-square-foot space. It was time to move.
Staying in the VAD was a priority. They loved being in the District and working with the developer, RMS. “Community is very important to us, and we’re really proud of Van Aken,” says Chaikin, a Shaker resident. “We’re honored to be RMS clients. They’re amazing landlords and are doing such a good job.”
So when the former GrooveRyde space near Nature’s Oasis opened up, District Gallery jumped to work with RMS on the move across the VAD. By spring 2023, the gallery was in its new space, doubling its size.
“We absolutely love it. And our traffic flow has increased a lot, our sales have increased, and we’re able to properly store and show inventory in the back as well,” says Chaikin.
While the gallery has many local customers, it has also become a destination for collectors from outside the immediate area. “They’ll come in and say, ‘This is amazing.’ And then they’ll stay for dinner or go grab a coffee,” says Uria.
The owners emphasize that this is no stuffy, intimidating place, and that everyone is welcome, including children. No appointments are necessary.
Contact:
Email District Gallery
216-218-9307
Pam Berkson and Beth Billings
Around the Table Yarns
How does a shop based in principles of in-person community not only survive a pandemic, but also emerge stronger and ready to grow? Around the Table Yarns owners Beth Billings and Pam Berkson made it happen — and nearly doubled the size of their store.
This year, the destination for knitters and crocheters expanded from its original storefront at the rear of Shaker Plaza (facing Chagrin Boulevard) to add the adjoining space at the front of Shaker Plaza (facing the RTA station and the vibrant first phase of the Van Aken District beyond). Like the old storefront, the new shop space at 20166 Van Aken Boulevard still greets shoppers with a cheery rainbow of yarn, kits, books, and more. The rear space now houses the store’s classroom as well as expanded back inventory for both in-person and online sales.
The secret to their success during the pandemic was being smart about what they stocked in their online store — a whole line of hard-to-find Catona yarns in every color available proved wildly popular — and being creative with in-person services. The store transformed three parking spaces into a successful outdoor gathering space using artificial turf. And in the colder months, Billings and Berkson came outside to patrons’ car windows to help with knitting and crocheting conundrums. When it came time to welcome customers back in, Around the Table found itself bursting at the seams.
Like District Gallery, Around the Table let their landlords, RMS, know they were looking to expand. At first, they considered moving within the plaza, but the space available wasn’t quite big enough. The perfect solution emerged when RMS offered to work with them on a rate for the two spaces they now have.
New customers are finding the shop due to its increased visibility in the plaza. And while summer months tend to be slow in the yarn business, Billings and Berkson say foot traffic was steady and even increased a bit this past summer, which they attribute to the move.
The duo also credits the City for its support, saying that folks from the City’s Economic Development Department check in “all the time” and that the Shaker Heights Development Corporation meetings and support have been helpful in growing their business from the ground up.
As Shaker residents, it matters to Billings and Berkson to grow a successful business here. It’s not just about the store becoming a gathering space or a destination for yarn hunters, they say. It’s also about employing local people, working towards paying them a living wage, and contributing substantially to local taxes.
“It’s nice to know we’re contributing to our community in a really important way,” says Billings.
Contact:
Email Around the Table Yarns
216-230-9224
Jumar Newell
LaunchArts Media
If it’s marketing, Jumar Newell’s company, LaunchArts Media, probably does it, but social media marketing and promotional videos are its top services. Newell, who’s the CEO and creative director of the company, started LaunchArts in 2014 in Garfield Heights, where he had his own space. Wanting a more interactive, collaborative setting, he moved in 2016 to The Dealership, the co-working space at 3558 Lee Rd.
“It was very beneficial for me,” says Newell. “My neighbors were very inquisitive about what I was doing, and I was able to network more strongly than in an industrial park space.”
As his business grew, Newell looked for more space and moved LaunchArts down Lee Road to a space above FASS Real Estate, where he ran the business from 2018 to 2021.
With still more growth, Newell needed more space for audio and video production and photo shoots. He was also at a career turning point, ready to leave freelancing behind and make the leap into LaunchArts full-time.
He searched for a new location around the area, but says his relationship with Shaker Heights resulted in LaunchArts staying here. He’d worked closely with the Shaker Heights Development Corporation for years, so he went to them when he was thinking of moving. (The City founded SHDC, a nonprofit, more than 40 years ago with the mission of advancing economic opportunity in Shaker Heights.) “They seized the opportunity to show me some spaces,” says Newell. “Shaker valued the presence of LaunchArts Media, and they really worked.”
The old veterinary clinic space at 3612 Lee Rd. was the clear winner. LaunchArts moved into the space at the end of 2021. From the street and inside reception area, the building looks fairly small. But beyond that, there’s a full upstairs where LaunchArts has offices for staff and interns. The first floor and basement each have photoshoot areas. In the back, the property has an enclosed courtyard which allows LaunchArts to do controlled outdoor shoots, and there’s a flexible 600-square-foot annex that hosts bigger video and photo productions or social events.
Newell, keeping an eye on the future, is still looking to grow. But that’s down the road, and for now he’s enjoying having a space that works well for the company. “Right now, we aren’t busting at the seams,” he says. “This is efficient for us.”
Contact:
Email LaunchArts Media
216-799-8912
