Neighbors Celebrate Businesses and Community During Alive on E. 185
Festival attendees take time out to relax and draw. Photo by The Coffeehouse on 185th.
More than 100 North Collinwood business owners, artists and residents came together in September to remind the neighborhood that E. 185th Street is alive and well.
On Saturday, September 12 the neighborhood celebrated “Alive on E. 185.” This year the neighborhood festival was a smaller iteration of the annual gathering, but with more art than ever before.
Neighborhood merchants set up information booths, children’s activities, events and live music along the sidewalks between Hiller Avenue and Cornwall Road. Alive on E. 185 featured numerous pop-up events this year, including fashion shows, martial arts demonstrations, live music, children’s art activities and blood pressure screenings.
Participating merchants included A&R Bingo, Bari Beauty and Health, Blink Eyelash Salon, The Coffeehouse on 185th, Dogg Pawz Salon, Kynx Hair and Nail Salon, Martin’s Mens Wear, McKinney Printing, Mobazz for Her Salon, Northeast Shores Development Corporation, Omeleggedon, Promises Bridal and Formal Wear, Sir Cedric’s Boutique, So Chic Boutique and Unified Martial Arts.
The street also came to life with vibrant, temporary art installations and interactive programs. Neighborhood residents Diane Collins and Abby Baumgartner created brilliantly colored trees, giant spools of “thread” (using old industrial rope, spools and a touch of paint), window murals, craft flowers and eye-catching displays in the planters lining the street. Perris Mackey, another area resident, led children in a DIY sticker making activity, while Sandra and John McKinney at McKinney Printing led sessions on making t-shirt art.
Live music included WindWood outside The Coffeehouse on 185th and Joe Rolling Porter, Tracy Marie and Bill Hatch outside Omeleggedon. Hooper Farms was on-site providing healthy, delicious food using local produce. Omeleggedon – a new restaurant set to open in the former Old World Meats building – had samples of their double chocolate bacon and Thanksgiving corn muffins.
Merchants donated dozens of items for two gift baskets showcasing the unique shopping along the street; the baskets were both offered as prizes for a raffle to support future events.
Alive on E. 185 was organized by the E. 185th Merchants Association with coordination from The Coffeehouse on 185th and support from Northeast Shores Development Corporation. The group is now planning seasonal events for the remainder of the year. If you have an event idea or would like to become involved, please contact Bernard Walker, E. 185th Merchants Association Chairperson at 216-551-8163.
Joe Barbaree
Joe Barbaree is the Business Development Specialist at Northeast Shores Development Corporation, plus occasional writer and photographer. He can be reached at jbarbaree@northeastshores.org.