OB...
Good talking to you today.
So it's a pretty good story about the Pop Up Holiday Store. I got a phone call from Joe Valenti, owner/operator of Flower Child, my old neighbor on Clifton. Joe says - " What would you think of doing a holiday pop up shop in your old space on Clifton?" I thought for a second and said maybe... Let me think about it.
I figured out that the 6 weeks from Thanksgiving to New Year's was the only time that the store was profitable. I asked my workers, my family, and my friends and everyone said " Go for it"
So, I called the landlord, The Cashy Family, and we struck an equitable deal for a short term lease. We got the keys to an empty space and a week later we were open.
Some magic happened in that week. I decided to"share" the interior of my old store... Almost like a co- op or an antique mall. I called my buddies in business for a little help. Larry Collins of City Buddha created a great little shop inside with wonderful jewelry and accessories. Jim Lanza of Foundry Wood prints put together a Cleveland themed area of coasters, wood prints and old school t- shirts. George Seres of Blaze Gourmet added some hot sauces and his fun t-shirts.
Speaking of t-shirts... A "new" friend of mine Brian Byers, told me a story of how he and his brother, a graphic artist that worked for American Greetings, created a line of t- shirts back in the late 70's featuring hand drawn images of tools. Appropriately named Toolies, these vintage shirts sat in a California warehouse for over 35 years, until Brian got married to a northeast Ohio gal named LuAnn and moved back to Northeast Ohio, where the 2 originally were from. They bought a house in Lakewood. Big Fun is the only place you can get these classic 1970's t- shirts for $18.00.
Dana Depew is a local artist, who's work I first saw at the inaugural Ingenuity Festival over 10 years ago. I always liked what Dana created in the way of art, but also appreciated what he did promoting other artists with his Asterisk Art Gallery in Tremont for many years. Dana also created several neon signs for my Coventry store and the main sign for the Big Fun Columbus store. So out of love and respect ... Dana Depew will have a solo art opening Thursday December 10th from 6-9 entitled : Looking up to Dana Depew.
All of his art pieces are hung high up on the walls ... Hence, looking up to Dana Depew.
I then got a call from a friend who wanted to know if I could help a close friend of hers liquidate a toy collection of her friend's father, who sadly passed away. Well, it was actually 2 collections that the father had a passion for. One was over 100 complete Lego buildings and a ton of accessories. The other was his real love. Volkswagen Beetle Bugs. The collection is over 6,000 individual VW bugs, beetles, vans, campers, etc... These 2 wonderful collections will be featured at the Clifton store and will be for sale.
Big Fun will have the usual great holiday gifts, that the award wining store is known for. Ghoulardi and Cleveland souvenirs, including mugs, t- shirts, books, etc...are the perfect gift for the local fan. An amazing selection of books, most of which are more than half off, will be offered. Christmas stocking stuffers for people of all ages. Fun for the whole Family. It will be nice to be in the old neighborhood again.
Happy Holidays from your friends at Big Fun.
Big Fun
11512 Clifton Blvd
Monday- Saturday 11-8
Sunday 11-7