Cleveland’s first cat café is opening in Tremont this summer. That may be everything you need to know about this popular neighborhood.
Quirky, walkable and jam-packed with personality, Tremont is one of Northeast Ohio’s gems. The tight-knit, one-square-mile neighborhood runs just south of downtown Cleveland — close enough to be convenient but far enough away to provide bluff-view vistas of the city skyline off University Road.
As for that cat café, cat lovers will pay a small cover charge to eat, drink and play with cats from the Cleveland Animal Protective League. Three will be full-time residents; 13 others will be up for adoption.
“The reaction has been split between people who think we’re completely crazy to people who are into it and are crazy about it,” says co-owner Mandy Miller, who with Eduardo Crespo plans to open affoGATO Cat Café later this summer on Starkweather Avenue. “All of the bars have patios and places for dog lovers to meet each other, but there’s not a place for cat lovers to meet up.”
Arts, Eats and Architecture
Cats aren’t alone in finding Tremont a good place to land. One of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, its tree-lined streets have an eclectic mix of shabby and chic residential architecture, historic churches and some of Cleveland’s best restaurants, shops and galleries. It’s home to both A Christmas Story House (from the movie) and St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Church, from “The Deer Hunter.”
The neighborhood is bordered by the Cuyahoga River on the north and east, Columbus Road and West 25th Street on the west, and MetroHealth Medical Center and Steelyard Commons to the south.
With Lincoln Park as its centerpiece, the neighborhood has a small-town feel. Outside nearby Civilization coffee shop, most people who stop in or park themselves at a sidewalk table seem to know each other.
Ceramicist Angelica Pozo lives and works in Tremont and oversees the neighborhood’s artist-in-residence program. Volunteers lead the Walkabout Tremont arts-intensive neighborhood open house held the second Friday of the month year-round.
“It does have a small town atmosphere,” Pozo says. “The place feels like a community because of its finite borders.” One of which — an extension of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Towpath Trail — will skirt the Tremont neighborhood and provide an enviable link to Lake Erie and south toward Akron.
“People do feel a sense of place; it’s almost like an island. When you’re in a smaller place, it’s easier to see where you are on common ground,” Pozo says, sitting in her riotously and pleasantly jammed studio in an old manufacturing building.
Pozo recently oversaw the installation of a community art piece, a colorful tiled mosaic bench and planter in front of Fahrenheit restaurant. Under her guidance, members of the Central Tremont Block Club, partnering with Tremont community artist-in-residence program, made tiles and installed them.
Behind-the-Scenes Support
Tremont West Development Corporation is a key player, supporting an impressive variety of neighborhood leadership development programs. A monthly newsletter contains a full page of block club events with reports from each of the 11 in Tremont. From community garden updates to crime reports from Cleveland police officers who attend each club meeting, the serious yet folksy accounts give a good snapshot of the micro-neighborhoods within Tremont.
Michelle Davis is assistant director of the Tremont West Development Corporation. Most of the organized events that take place in Tremont — the farmers market, Taste of Tremont, an arts and cultural festival, Holiday Brewhaha and others — are done through a grassroots structure cultivated by Tremont West Development Corporation.
The neighborhood is becoming increasingly attractive to people 50 and older who are empty nesters and want to move from their large, suburban neighborhoods to a place that’s close to downtown with a village-like feel, Davis says.
Many of the older homes are being snapped up and renovated, driving up the price of properties. With its population of about 8,000 residents, Tremont has apartments for low-income people through the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority as well as pricey condos and beautifully restored homes. Cleveland’s tax abatements for new construction have helped bring to the neighborhood more housing in the $150,000-$300,000 range, but rising prices are a common complaint, she acknowledges.
Crime is another issue. Highly publicized carjackings kept people on edge throughout late winter into spring until police arrested several suspects. Occasional shootings — and worse — occur with enough rarity to be noteworthy.
“One misconception (about Tremont) is crime,” Pozo says. “It happens, but it happens everywhere or is attributed to Tremont.”
As for gentrification, Pozo said rising property values have pushed out many people who can no longer afford to buy the places they’ve rented for years. “Artists move in. The neighborhood gets cool. Artists move out,” she says.
Tremont’s appeal persists — and thrives — thanks to its history, its location and most notably the people who live there or spend time there. People like John Busser.
On a recent rainy morning, Busser sat at a table outside Civilization, chatting with friends and passersby. One young woman greeted him warmly and gave him a hug as they parted.
Busser said that she was a ballet student, one of several awarded money through his family’s scholarship fund. Now in its 12th year, Busser’s private, nonprofit continues to funnel money to aspiring ballerinas.
In the end, that may be the way to describe Tremont: It’s a neighborhood where folks can drink coffee with cats and a retired Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co. worker gets a hug from a ballerina at a sidewalk café.
Marie Elium lives in a small town that’s not as cool as Tremont, but is nice, nonetheless.
Other Neighborhood Gems
By Zoe Stitzer
Highland Square Akron
Walkability to downtown Akron, friendly neighbors, live music and cute local traditions — Highland Square has all the ingredients to become your new favorite hangout spot.
Take in a film at the Highland Theatre with all the trimmings of a 1920s cinema offering viewings of new releases. This quaint neighborhood with a historical backdrop is also known for its thriving arts scene. The annual PorchRokr Music and Art Festival (Aug. 18 this year) features local music acts and vendors. The jams don’t stop there — enjoy live music while shopping local at the Countryside Farmers’ Market every Thursday all summer.
The residential area of Highland Square is within a short walkable distance to all of the shops and restaurants along West Market Street. Beat the heat with an ice cream cone at Trecaso’s Mary Coyle Fine Italian Cuisine and Ice Cream, pick up some vintage garb at Highland Throwbacks, grab a coffee at the Nervous Dog Coffee Bar, or pop into Square Records to quell your alternative music craving or revisit old favorites on vinyl.
Highland Square marries a great location with affordability; the median house listing price is $75,000. Find out more about Highland Square at highlandsquareakron.org.
Waterloo Arts District
Fully immerse yourself in the Cleveland arts scene by paying a visit to the Waterloo Arts District. This neighborhood offers music shops at nearly every turn, art to look at, art to listen to an art waiting to be made. The Beachland Ballroom, a concert venue that has been home to national and local acts alike, is a staple that embodies Cleveland’s music scene.
Beautifully situated right by the water, the Waterloo Arts District feels like a trendy New York City neighborhood. Properties there are 100 percent locally owned, which means every purchase you make is supporting the local economy. Spend your days wandering among art galleries or writing poetry while sipping an espresso at one of the many coffee shops.
This is the ideal neighborhood to get in touch with your inner artist while keeping it local. Find out more about the Waterloo Arts District at waterlooarts.org.
Gordon Square
Gordon Square is an upbeat arts district where there is always something going on. This summer, it’s hosting six outdoor events featuring live performances, art on display, and local food and vendors.
Edgewater Beach, a Cleveland Metroparks property, is close to Gordon Square, giving this industrial neighborhood access to the water. The beach hosts a concert series called Edgewater Live on Thursdays during the summer. The beauty of the juxtaposing city and beach is enhanced with all of the seemingly natural art throughout the community.
Gordon Square looks like a big art gallery itself, with its myriad murals and famed architecture. This neighborhood is also known for the performing arts. Take the grandchildren out to the Talespinners Children’s Theater for a children’s play with all original works written and performed by local playwrights and actors that will keep you just as enthralled as the kids. Have a couples’ night out at a local bar such as Happy Dog Cleveland (as an extra added bonus, savor one of the city-wide renowned hot dogs). Gypsy Beans now in its 12th year, is inspired by European coffee shops with hot and cold drinks, handcrafted pastries and organic, gluten-free and vegan-friendly offerings. Its philosophy is that coffee starts a conversation and good conversation becomes a community.
This neighborhood has the perfect balance of all different kinds of art, as well as hip bars and delicious restaurants. Find out more about Gordon Square at gordonsquare.org.
Neighborly Ways
By Zoe Stitzer
A great neighborhood often has a special quality you just can’t put your finger on.
It’s noticeable in the vibrancy of the local businesses and the faces of friendly neighbors. A great neighborhood should feel like home.
Any neighborhood can be great when a community comes together, says Lila Mills of Neighborhood Connections, a community building program through the Cleveland Foundation.
“Vibrancy, energy, people out talking with one another and supporting each other” is what makes a neighborhood great, Mills says.
What makes a good neighborhood?
Safety
If a great neighborhood should feel like home, a big part of that is feeling safe. Use online resources such as public court records to see what kind of crime happens, or talk to local business owners for their take.
Fitness
Whether this comes in the form of a neighborhood gym, a park or bike trail, it’s good to have plenty of places to stay active.
Lifestyle
Find your fit. A neighborhood might have terrific restaurants, interesting bookstores and lovely gardens, but if you have a standing Sunday morning tee time and the nearest golf course is half an hour away, it might not be the right neighborhood for you. Find a neighborhood with the right blend of things you love.
Walkability
It’s always nice to not have to jump in the car for a night out. A great neighborhood has ready access to dining and shopping options as well as entertainment. Convenience to the basics means you don’t have to go far for a romantic date night, family outing or a last-minute run to get dog food.
Neighbors
What truly makes a neighborhood great is having equally great neighbors to enjoy it with.
“In our work, we believe that people are the foundation of great communities and that when people work together, great things can happen,” Mills says.
Make sure you mesh with the locals before becoming one. You wouldn’t want to borrow a stick of butter from just anyone, after all.
