Introducing Small Business Patch

The newly launched site offers tips, info and digital know-how for small business owners.

Patch has launched a new site to educate and empower small businesses with the digital tools, social media strategies and marketing know-how needed to ensure long-term growth. It's called Small Business Patch. Readers will have access to exclusive interviews with well-known founders and CEOs and small business industry experts who share their experiences, advice and tips for success. One of the latest articles features an exclusive interview with successful real estate entrepreneur, Barbara Corcoran, founder of The Corcoran Group. In this Q&A, Corcoran discusses the how to take advantage of the size of a small businesses, and why making big “mistakes” made all the difference in her success. Click here to read about the tactics Corcoran …

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Lakewood: A Modern Day Mayberry Part 1

Blogger Linda Rogers writes Lakewood is home to many talented artists and craftsman reminding us of days gone by and inspiring us towards the future.

Gypsy Beans Settling Into New Lakewood Location

The new coffee shop held a holiday open house on Tuesday.

Gypsy Beans' first month and a half in Lakewood has been “awesome,” owner Nicole Gillota said on Tuesday.  “It has been so nice to be in Lakewood,” Gillota said.  The coffee shop opened its doors on the campus of the Beck Center for the Arts at the beginning of November and has been growing ever since. Just last week, the restaurant began offering lunch staples like soups, salads and sandwiches, Gillota said.  Gypsy Beans held a holiday open house and a ribbon cutting on Tuesday. The Lakewood shop is Gypsy Beans’ second location, and the original is located in the Gordon Square Arts District. Gillota said the shop already had a good-sized following in the area before it opened, and the theater community has been really supportive. The shop…

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Editor's Notebook

SCORE Helps Business Owners

No, there's not a catch. SCORE's experienced mentors will help you take your business to the next level.

When it comes down to it, behind just about every small business is an entrepreneur hoping to turn their passion into a paycheck. But, as many wise business advisers have noted: Hope is not a strategy. Business owners need support to turn dreams into reality. That's why Patch is pleased to announce a new partnership with SCORE, a nonprofit organization with 12,000 business experts nationwide who provide free mentoring to small business owners. The partnership makes sense because we believe that when local commerce grows, the whole community gets stronger. Patch already provides free listings for local businesses and other tools to help build local brands. Whether you're a 10-year-old jewelry designer or a 79-year-old who carves wood knives…

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PHOTOS: Give Something Locally Made

We found five sources for local gifts for anyone on your list

Looking for that perfect holiday gift? We rounded up area sources for handmade gifts. Check out the list below.

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Holly Barnes

7:16 pm on Sunday, December 11, 2011

I think the point of the story is that no matter where you live, if you look, you can find handmade items. Just look through the "Places" section of each Patch site to see all the diverse businesses listed within. That is the charm of Ohio...so many local businesses make it easy to find whatever you're looking for right in your backyard. And note to local businesses, if you haven't claimed your …   more ›

You Don't Have to Leave Lakewood for Your Holiday Shopping

Keep your dollars local this year and get your shopping done without having to leave the city.

Although some of the big-box retail stores are kicking off this year's “Black Friday” sales on Thursday, the day after Thanksgiving is the ceremonial start to the holiday shopping season. And you don’t even have to leave Lakewood to get your shopping done. Lakewood Patch has put together this local shopping list of eight small businesses open on Friday, offering everything from Vera Bradley purses to bicycles, fair-trade wool mittens to local art, and toys and games to handmade jewelry.   1. Geiger's Clothing and Sports 14710 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107 216-521-1771 After 79 years, Geiger’s has a little bit of everything, including custom-tailored, suits, ties, Vera Bradley bags, winter sport accessories and shoes. Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.…

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Michael Bowen

10:35 am on Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Shopping local is a great idea! The City is going to begin a major push for shopping local very soon!   more ›

Another Lakewood Bar Expanding to Avon Lake

K II Tavern, sister to Kenilworth Tavern, will open in the old McCarthy's II Ale House space.

It’s déjà vu all over again. It appears another Lakewood drinkery is opening a second location at 33382 Walker Rd. This time around, it’s Kenilworth Tavern opening K II (Kenilworth) Tavern, signage on the building indicates. Managers and owners at the Lakewood Kenilworth could not be reached for comment. A manager at the Avon Lake location told Patch two weeks ago she expected the Kenilworth II would open within the month. McCarthy’s II used to occupy the corner space in the Drug Mart plaza until it was abandoned by its owner, Jack Kraddock, in June 2009, according to Sun News. The establishment carried the same name as its sister location in Lakewood, McCarthy's Ale House. “I got a bunch of young thugs who want to go in there and pick up …

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Bid, Buy Local for Chamber of Commerce Online Auction

The chamber is encouraging folks to “avoid the slush and the rush” by shopping for holiday gift ideas from home. And, by shopping locally.

Want the opportunity to bid on items such as gift certificates to Lakewood restaurants, a four-month membership to the Lakewood YMCA or a Patch polo shirt? Well, you’re in luck because the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is hosting its third-annual online Holiday Bid-Buy Auction. More than 99 donated items, services and experiences are available through the auction. They range from lunch with Lakewood High School principal Bill Wagner to an autographed NFL football. And, of course, there are local favorites including tickets to the Beck Center for the Arts, ski rental packages from Geiger’s Clothing and Sports and Sweet Designs Chocolates.   The chamber is encouraging folks to “avoid the slush and the rush” by shopping for holiday gift ideas …

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Behind the Business: Nora Swift

The owner of Tease Hair and Body Parlor celebrating one year in business.

Nora Swift worked for years in salons owned by other people. For the past year, she’s run her own.  This week, she is celebrating the one-year anniversary of Tease Hair and Body Parlor. Swift leases the Detroit Avenue space, but has spent thousands of dollars on the renovation. It shows.  Think antique furniture, crystal chandeliers, unique workstations and an eclectic collection of decorations — much of which was purchased at antique stores in the city or are heirlooms donated by family members. There’s also plenty of space for all of it — which makes sense given the services the salon offers: cutting, coloring, extensions, straightening, styling, skin care, waxing, facials and nail care. Get all that? The life-long Lakewood resident and …

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Angelo's the Pizza in Lakewood?

Plain Dealer poll puts Lakewood staple as tops in the Cleveland area.

The Plain Dealer featured a poll that whittled a list of 300 Cleveland-area pizzarias down to just one: Angelo’s Pizza on Madison Avenue. Right here in Lakewood. So, we thought we’d put our readers to the test… Do you agree with the results of the Plain Dealer poll? Tell us in the comments.

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