The Cleveland Rocks Shop is making significant strides in becoming a vibrant hub for the local music scene in Cleveland. Driven by a passionate commitment to support musicians and the community, Cleveland Rocks: Public Performance Foundation (PPF) set an initial fundraising goal of $30,000 to launch the shop. These crucial funds were intended to cover essential start-up costs, including occupancy expenses, necessary renovations to the building’s interior and exterior, the purchase of fixtures, a point-of-sale system, and initial inventory for the store.
Despite facing unexpected global challenges in early 2020, the Cleveland Rocks Shop project persevered. By March 2020, dedicated supporters had already contributed $4,697. This momentum continued into 2021 with over $3,000 in additional individual donations. A significant boost arrived in 2022 when Cleveland Rocks: PPF gratefully received a $5,000 donation from the 10,000 Watts of Holy Light Fund. This fund, established in partnership with the Cleveland Foundation by Michael Stanley’s family, focuses on organizations that resonated with the late musician’s life and passions, further validating the importance of the Cleveland Rocks Shop to the local cultural landscape.
Renovations and Community Engagement
In 2022, the transformation of the former Music Saves storefront on Waterloo Road into the Cleveland Rocks Shop began. The community got a sneak peek of the exciting progress during the 2022 Waterloo Arts Festival in August. At the festival, a curated selection of merchandise from local Cleveland bands performing at the event was available for purchase, offering a taste of what the shop would offer. December 2022 marked another milestone as the Cleveland Rocks Shop hosted its inaugural live music event, featuring Collinwood native Anthony Taddeo. To capitalize on the holiday shopping season and further engage the community, a holiday pop-up shop was also launched, encouraging residents to support local businesses and artists during the gift-giving period.
Expanding Reach and Programming in 2023
Fundraising efforts continued into the summer of 2023 with an online auction that showcased over 45 unique items. This successful 11-day auction generated over $2,000, providing vital funds to propel the Cleveland Rocks Shop towards its permanent opening. Beyond fundraising, 2023 has been a year of active programming for the Cleveland Rocks Shop. To date, the venue has hosted seven Professional Development Workshops and twice-monthly 2×4 Songwriter Showcases. These workshops have featured industry experts such as John Latimer and Kevin Borrowman, sharing their expertise on crucial music-related topics including microphone selection, effects pedals, revenue generation strategies for musicians, and setting up home recording studios. Immediately following these educational workshops, the 2×4 Songwriter Showcases provide a platform for four talented songwriters to each perform two original songs on the Cleveland Rocks Shop stage, fostering a supportive environment for local artists.
The Cleveland Rocks Shop has also cultivated an intimate listening room setting, hosting four indoor concerts as part of its Waterloo Makes Music series during the colder months of 2023. These concerts, including a special Songwriters in the Round event, have featured a diverse lineup of Cleveland-based musicians such as Morgan Mecaskey, Clare Feoreone, Taylor Lamborn, The Refresh Collective’s Dee Jay Doc, Jenna Fournier, Rob Kovacs, Bent String, and John McGrail, further solidifying the Cleveland Rocks Shop as a key venue for experiencing Cleveland’s vibrant music scene.
