Browse Interviews

Dan Sussen discusses his father's entry into the auto parts industry and his role creating Midtown Cleveland Inc. He discusses how the company survived the Great Depression, its growth and expansion, and his role as the company's salesman. Sussen describes the reasons for creating Midtown Cleveland Inc., its early years, and the growth of Midtown since the organization's founding. He also touches on the relationship between Midtown Cleveland Inc. and political leaders in Cleveland.

Rose Strauss, owner and operator of ten buildings in Cleveland's Midtown Corridor, discusses her professional life in the area. Ms. Strauss, former president of Leader Electric, decided to go into the real estate business in the early 1980s. She discusses why she decided to get involved in urban real estate, security issues, marketing issues, and her attraction to Downtown real estate. Other topics include her personal and family history, perceptions of Cleveland neighborhoods, and the changing…

Laura Hindulak, director of marketing for Pierre's Ice Cream in Cleveland's Midtown Corridor, discusses the history of the company in Cleveland. She discusses the company's creation, its multiple locations within the city, its owners, name changes, and marketing strategies. Other topics include the interior of the factory, the production process, and the flavor creation process.

George Dixon III, owner of the Lancer Steakhouse on Carnegie Avenue, discusses the restaurant's history, including under the previous ownership of Fleet Slaughter, and its importance to the African American community. Mr. Dixon discusses the other African American establishments in the Midtown area prior to his ownership, including Corner Tavern, Leo's Casino, and Art's Seafood. Dixon recounts change and continuity in the Lancer's menu, as well as how the Midtown area has changed over the years.…

Tom Morgan, President of the Harrington Electric Co., discusses the history and role of the company in Cleveland's Midtown Corridor. Founded in 1907, Harrington Electric Co. has been in Midtown for over one hundred years (as of interview date). The company has primarily performed electrical contracting for buildings in and around the city of Cleveland. Harrington Electric Co. has been involved in the restoration of the Allen Theatre, the Cleveland Museum of Art, Severance Hall, Myers University,…

Frank Porter Jr., of Central Cadillac-Hummer, discusses the history and role of the company in Cleveland's Midtown Corridor. He discusses the company's origins, the changing environment around the company, and its relationship with Midtown Cleveland Inc. Other topics include the debate over the configuration of the Innerbelt Freeway, the impact of the automotive industry on the area, accomplishments of Midtown Cleveland, and the impact of the Euclid Corridor Transportation Project on the Midtown…

Baseball historian Jim Egan discusses the history of baseball in Cleveland. He discusses the early architectural features in the city, including horse hitching posts, flat-roofed housing, and chimneys. He discusses the creation of the modern game, baseball clubs (both locally and nationally), amateur baseball, and the formation of city leagues. He also discusses the connections between baseball and ethnicity, civic boosterism, local ballparks, and labor unions. Other topics include the…

Photographer Barney Taxel discusses his role in the development of Cleveland's Midtown Corridor from a public relations perspective. He discusses the formation of Midtown Cleveland (formally Midtown Corridor Incorporated) and his role in developing a better public perception of the area, focusing on his relationship with the public relations firm, Edward Howard & Company. He also discusses the importance of development, marketing, and the appeal of the area. Other topics include personal…

Barb Emery, Vice President of Human Resources at Applied Industrial Technologies, discusses the history and role of the company in Cleveland's Midtown Corridor. Originally known as Ohio Ball Bearing Company, Applied Industrial Technologies became one the largest industrial distributors in North America. Starting her career with the company in the late 1970s, Ms. Emery explains the atmosphere around East 34th Street and Euclid Avenue (restaurants, companies, and the Carlin House). She also…

Bruce Higley discusses the Albert M. Higley Co. and its involvement in Cleveland and the city's Midtown Corridor. Over the past eighty two years (as of interview date) the Albert M. Higley Co. has built many of Cleveland's buildings; most notably the Cleveland Coast Guard Station, the Greyhound Bus Station, and the Red Cross Building. The company has also been involved in many of the buildings at Cleveland State University, Case Western Reserve University, and the Cleveland Clinic. Mr. Higley…

Mark Kotora, Vice President of the Gust Gallucci Co., discusses the company's history and philosophy. An Italian grocery store located in Cleveland's Midtown Corridor, Gallucci's began in 1912 as a fruit vending company. Forced out of the downtown area by Cleveland's Gateway Project, the store moved into Midtown in the mid 1990s. Kotora discusses personal memories while working at Gallucci's, including interacting with customers, and immigrant stories. He also discusses Gallucci's customer…

Gary Rand discusses the history of Ohio Knitting Mills (1947-2003) in Cleveland's Midtown Corridor. The Ohio Knitting Mills created and designed garments for both men and women. He discusses the company's customer base, employment levels, pay scales, building upgrades, the production process, and union and labor relations. He discusses the various restaurants and shops in the Midtown area in the late 1960s and the change that took place in the 1970s. He also discusses the changing employee…

Paul Volpe, President of City Architecture Inc., discusses the company's role in redeveloping Cleveland's Midtown Corridor. Established in 1989, City Architecture's main focus is urban redevelopment in the Northeast Ohio region. Volpe served as the urban architect for the mayoral administrations of George Voinovich and Michael White throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He discusses the ideas within city hall regarding redevelopment during his years working for the government. Volpe also explains how…

Fr. Phillip Bernier, a Capuchin Franciscan Friar, discusses the history and role of the Church of the Conversion of St. Paul in Cleveland's Midtown Corridor. Located on the corner of East 40th Street and Euclid Avenue, the parish was originally conceived under the auspice of Archbishop Joseph Shrembs in 1930. Fr. Bernier, the pastor to the shrine of the Conversion of St. Paul, discusses his life history, the needs of the Midtown Corridor community, outreach, and various restoration projects.…

Gordon Priemer, president of Heartland Developers, discusses his company's role in the redevelopment of Cleveland's Midtown Corridor. The company has been involved with the Midtown area on and off for over thirty five years (as of interview date), working to develop and redevelop commercial and residential housing in the Midtown area. He gives key insight to the philosophy behind his company and the overall redevelopment of the Midtown Corridor. He mentions particular buildings the company has…