Why Artisans Call Ohio City Home

Ohio City is at the forefront of an economic transformation taking place in Cleveland that is being led by a group of artisan entrepreneurs. Over the past two decades several artisan businesses have already created hundreds of neighborhood jobs and become important members of the Ohio City community.  Their impact is obvious in Ohio City, with many merchants living within a short distance of their business, several of them directly above their storefront.  Ohio City’s merchants are also its neighbors, churchgoers, civic members and eyes on the street.  They conjure images of a past world described by Jane Jacobs, where a merchant class anchored walkable middle class neighborhoods.

Ohio City is at the forefront of an economic transformation taking place in Cleveland that is being led by a group of artisan entrepreneurs. Over the past two decades several artisan businesses have already created hundreds of neighborhood jobs and become important members of the Ohio City community.  Their impact is obvious in Ohio City, with many merchants living within a short distance of their business, several of them directly above their storefront.  Ohio City’s merchants are also its neighbors, churchgoers, civic members and eyes on the street.  They conjure images of a past world described by Jane Jacobs, where a merchant class anchored walkable middle class neighborhoods.

Compared to other industries, artisans are unique in their ability to tell a story about Cleveland that reinforces civic pride.   A new generation of Clevelanders are creating memories involving a pint at Great Lakes, fish from Kate’s, popcorn from Campbell’s or local products from Room Service or Something Different.  Ohio City artisans are slowly returning local culture to Northeast Ohio and are attracting residents back to urban neighborhoods who appreciate the ability to live in a complete neighborhood where they can walk to their butcher, drycleaner or florist.

Read more about Ohio City's Artisan Economy here.