Coventry Village merchants have staying power

This photo of Coventry Village in 1934 shows a vibrant street scene. Courtesy the Cleveland Memory Project.

In the early 1900s, Eastern European immigrants came to Coventry Village to live and work. Many set up unique shops on the street level, and lived above their businesses or around the corner in one of the neighborhood’s many classic apartment buildings.

Flash forward nearly a century, and not much has changed. Although not every Coventry merchant lives in the neighborhood, some do; and Coventry Village remains as eclectic as it ever was. What began nearly a century ago continues today with many long-standing Mom and Pop stores.

The neighborhood is justly proud of these businesses for their longevity during tough economic times, for what each adds to the street, and what each gives back to the community.

Below are lists of the businesses that have celebrated more than 10 years in operation, most or much of that time on Coventry Road. Let’s begin with the granddaddy of them all--Heights Hardware. Owner Tom Gathy, his son Andy, and the rest of the friendly, knowledgeable crew will celebrate their 100th year this summer. That’s a century of providing their neighbors with hammers, nails, advice on repairs, and so much more.

If Heights Hardware is the granddad, then Diamond's Flowers would have to be the grandma. On the street for 77 years, Roseann and Jim Bass have been the owners of the shop for the last 25. Let’s not forget the Coventry Library, which has been lending books to local residents for 85 years.

Coventry restaurants continue to win many "Best of" awards from local media. Some of the favorite local restaurants are Grums, 33 years; The Inn on Coventry, 30 years; Winking Lizard, 28 years; Hunan on Coventry, 27 years; Paninis, 25 years (6 on Coventry); Phoenix Coffee, 20 years (6 on Coventry); La Cave Du Vin, 16 years; The Grog Shop, 16 years; and BD's Mongolian, 13 years. Next year, the mayor of Coventry, Tommy Fello, celebrates 40 years of community involvement and providing good eats at the restaurant that bears his name—Tommy’s.

On the service side, Coventry Village is proud to have Heights Cleaners, 57 years; Laura Lee, 36 years; Coventry Shoe Repair, 32 years; and Allied Integrated Marketing, 15 years.

The neighborhood’s longest-running retail stores include Record Revolution, 44 years; The Exchange, 36 years; Marc's, 32 years; Avalon Exchange, 33 years (1 on Coventry); Mac’s Backs, 33 years; Passport to Peru, 32 years; Sunshine, 31 years; Revolution Books, 27 years; Attensons, 24 years; Coventry Cats, 23 years, Big Fun, 20 years; and City Buddha, 14 years.

What accounts for the longevity of Coventry businesses? Some say it’s the symbiotic relationship between business owners and residents—merchants contribute much to the community and the community responds with customer loyalty. So, come on over to Coventry Village and stay a while!