Cleveland Bazaar coming to Coventry Dec. 5

More than 70 artists and crafts people will be on Coventry Road on Dec. 5, when the Cleveland Bazaar comes to Cleveland Heights for the first time. The bazaar is the longest-running indie crafts show in Cleveland. It started in 2004, and usually attracts thousands of people to its events.

The Cleveland Heights show will be indoors at 1854 Coventry Road, near Euclid Heights Boulevard. Crafts people and artists will be on the upper level, in spaces formerly occupied by Burgers-n-Beer and Kiwi Spoon. Artists will also be in the Grog Shop, which will be serving Bloody Marys. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Jenny Goe, who owns the In the 216 store with her husband, has taken part in the bazaar for many years. After opening her shop on Coventry, Goe contacted Shannon Okey, who runs the bazaar, and suggested she do an event there. Angela Hetrick, executive director of the Coventry Village Special Improvement District, helped secure the Grog Shop. In addition to the artists and vendors, many Coventry Village merchants will also have displays.

“We really make an effort to get people out and shop in the neighborhood,” Okey said. “So we invite the local merchants to have displays, and then we hope the people who come to the bazaar will also go to the other stores.”

“I think it’s going to be really, really great for the street,” Goe said. “Thousands of people come to these shows, and they come from all over Cleveland. Some might not have been to Coventry before. And when they get here, they will go to all of the shops and buy additional items.”

About half of the artists who have items at In the 216 will be taking part in the event. People attending the bazaar will be able to purchase T-shirts, jewelry, sports-themed art, photography, fine art, soap and other bath products. Most of the items being sold at the bazaar are handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces.

Hetrick said she is very optimistic that the bazaar will be an impetus for holding more events on the street.

James Henke

James Henke, a Cleveland Heights resident, was a writer and editor at Rolling Stone magazine for 15 years. He is also the author of several books, including biographies of Jim Morrison, John Lennon and Bob Marley. He is on the board of FutureHeights, and is the co-chair of the Heights Observer Advisory Committee.

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Volume 8, Issue 12, Posted 9:47 AM, 12.01.2015