LARCHMERE IMPROVEMENTS
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Harriett

Larchmere Boulevard, just east of the commercial strip here from N. Moreland to the crazy intersection at Shaker Lower Lake, has been repaved, halleluiah!  We've been referring to this part of the road as the cobblestone menace of late, and it required low speeds or wheel realignments to navigate.  But just yesterday, the project was officially finished, and the street is smooth enough to satisify even rollerbladers and bikers.  Hooray.

AND, to make it even better, Shaker Heights has decapitated the parking meters on the Shaker side of Larchmere, so parking in front of Loganberry is currently free!  (Can't tell you what new heads these meters might grow, but take advantage of the freebie while you can.)

LOCAL AUTHORS
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Harriett

It’s hard to be a self-published author and get the word out about your book.  That’s just one of the reasons Loganberry hosted a Local Author Book Fair in conjunction with the Larchmere Flea Market and Festival.  The other reason is to enjoy the community and the connections interesting people make.

Case in point:  Carolyn Nilson is an author of training manuals (Team Games for Trainers, The Trainer's Handbook), most published by mainstream presses like McGraw-Hill.  They’re professional textbooks really, and I warned her there might not be a huge demand for these expensive books at the Flea Market.  However, she had a blast! 

Her letter sums it up best:  “It was fun interacting with such an interesting cross-section of area folks, and although I sold no books, I did meet a fan! who said he has 3 of my books and uses them in his engineering consulting work.  I also met a guy who offered me a  job—in Columbus!”

The spirit expressed here sums up the Larchmere Flea Market & Festival perfectly for me.  And she’s been back to the shop twice since the festival, with friends in tote.  What fun to see these connections being made!

GOOD GRIEF LARCHMERE
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Harriett

I'm a big fan of locally-owned business, and not just because I own one.  In the bigger scheme of things, shopping locally is a strong economic tool, a sustainable choice, and a community necessity.  It's part of the reason why I'm so active in the Larchmere Merchants Association, and why I spent countless hours of my own time and employee time to produce the annual Larchmere Flea Market and Festival.  The event was a success by all counts, even despite the late afternoon rain. 

But the merchant meetings make me crazy.  "Can we do this every weekend" - "...every month?"   Well, sure guys.  Who's signing up to do the work?

FESTIVAL RE-CAP
Monday, June 30, 2008
Harriett

We had a great Festival, despite the rain.  Actually, the weather was perfect until 3pm, when it got darker, and by 3:30 the rain began.  We had a couple minutes of soft warning rain, then it downpoured. 

The authors attending the  Local Author Book Fair got inside safely with their books, and the socializing inside the shop was even more entertaining than outside in Author Alley.  Really, we only lost an hour of the Festival, we had lots of peeps here, and I do hope the vendors packed up safely.  So, until next year...

SIDEWALK SALE
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Harriett

We're getting ready for the Sidewalk Sale on Saturday.  Not only will all the books be 20% off, but we're culling the triplicates and quadruplicates and putting them on special-special on the sidewalk.  Who knew we had so many copies of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's journals or Antonia Frazer's Mary Queen of Scots?  Please come take them off my hands....  I bought too many because they're good books, after all....

SAVE THE EARTH, BUY A T-SHIRT
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Harriett

Happy Earth Day.  Celebrations are happening all month around the globe to commemorate, educate, and fund-raise for environmental concerns.  Last Sunday was the Earth Day Coalition's EarthFest at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo; next Sunday brings Party for the Planet at the Akron Zoo. 

There are also events like Scarlet, Gray, Green, Northcoast Nature Festival,  Rain barrel Workshops, Ohio Renewable Energy Showcase, EcoCity World Summit, Green Expo, and The Green Dream created by Beachwood High School students.

In the book world, Penguin Classics has embraced the Plant a Billion Trees project, Book Sense is developing green retailing strategies, and publishers like Chelsea Green lead the way both in information and production methods.

But we've got a long way to go if we're really going to make an environmental impact.  For starters, the federal government could stop subsidizing oil and encourage more renewable energy programs.  Our businesses need to consider their environmental impact and  waste streams.  And individuals need to be mindful of their own energy usage and carbon footprint.  So, if you go to a green festival, go ahead and buy your organic cotton t-shirt with soy-based inks, but be sure it's locally produced, and don't forget to buy a compact fluorescent bulb or some other small thing to help reduce your energy load, not just to add to your consumerism.

Yeah, this Saturday, Larchmere joins the bandwagon.  At Loganberry we'll have signage around the shop of small measures that can make an impact, and we'll be offering a 10% discount to anyone who arrives by foot, bike or RTA.  We'll have books to help guide your environmental choices, and we'll have some sales.  On used books, of course.

IN THE NEWS
Monday, March 10, 2008
Harriett

Two articles worth mentioning today:  one about Seattle, and one about hometown Larchmere Boulevard.

The first is a NYTimes business profile of Seattle's enormous influence in the world of book publishing and buying.  As the home of Amazon.com, Costco, Starbucks and famed librarian Nancy Pearl, this city seems to be a mecca for powerful book buying decisions.  Most of the publishers are in New York, but these four very different recommenders of books wield enormous publishing prowess.  It's interesting to see that they actually have something in common.

On the homefront, David DiVita's Larchmere Deli and Beverage was chosen to be the location for an upcoming Ohio Lottery commercial.  He was closed last Thursday for the event, and the film crew took over.  They worked for 8 hours for the 30-second spot, which should air starting March 31.

ACADEMY TAVERN
Friday, February 15, 2008
Harriett

It's not everyday a customer sends me random love notes.  This one isn't about books.  It's about a restaurant across the street, the classic Academy Tavern.  It's been there at least 50 years, perhaps longer, and continues to delight a wide assortment of people, both locals and destination-eaters, in its old-time neighborhood-bar ambiance.  Thomas is a destination shopper; he travels a good while to Larchmere to enjoy the Academy's Blue Cheese Burger Plate (pictured) as well as Loganberry Books.  He liked the food so much, he documented its glory and sent it to me as well as several friends.  So don't take it from me, take it from Thomas.  The Academy Tavern rocks.

NEW PREZ!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Harriett

Luchita's will close at Shaker Square at the end of this month.  Very sad indeed.  Of course, in Coral Company's continual quest for an entirely upscale-edible square, two more restaurants are scheduled to open in 2008, but you can be sure they won't be as affordable and comfortable and Luchita's, and the vegetarian options remain to be seen.  So, we go drink a toast to our favorite restaurant on the Square in their last days.  Buenos suerte a Luchita's. 

HORSE & BUGGY 
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Harriett

This year's Holiday Stroll is almost over.  That's Friday's photo of the horse and buggy in front of Loganberry.  It was cold but fair, and felt like winter approaching, which is generally good for the holiday shopping spirit.  We had good crowds on Friday and Saturday, and people enjoyed browsing, checking it out, drinking cider... 

The 34th annual Thanksgiving weekend shopping spree continues on Larchmere.  Three dozen locally-owned businesses on Larchmere Boulevard welcome the holiday season with good cheer and nostalgic fanfare.  Come browse the boulevard and discover old-world shopping in your hometown neighborhood.

Like old time winter festivals around the world, a traditional horse and carriage will give free rides up and down the boulevard on Friday 12-4pm. Best Horse Drawn Carriage Service from Farmdale Ohio will provide the horse and buggy.

On Saturday 1-3pm, Mr. Jingeling kicks off a new chapter with a book signing of a new book by Teri Arthur and Rob Sirn.  Mister Jingeling Keeper of the Keys continues the tradition of the well-loved Cleveland character.  Books both new and old entice the shopper into new discoveries at Loganberry, with one of the best bibliophilic collections in town.

Elsewhere on Larchmere, music, food, and great deals abound, from the crafts at Dancing Sheep to the Asian antiquities at John Young's.   Enjoy classic good food at Larchmere Tavern or the brand-new Flying Cranes Cafe.  The exquisitely wrapped packages at Elegant Extras are always a treat in and of themselves, and fine yarns at Fine Points are a craft lover's dream.  New openings this weekend include Groovy Grooming and a personal trainer.  Come discover these wonderful stores, and more, during the Larchmere Holiday Stroll.

No need to box yourself in huge stores this Thanksgiving weekend; instead get a breath of fresh air and come browse the boulevard.  Treasures await you.

PETER SONNENFELD RETIRES
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Harriett

After 30 years of running Expert Sewing Machine Repair, Peter has decided to hang up his tools and retire.  He has run an exemplary and old-world style of business, often chatting with friends over coffee before the official hours of the day began.  We will certainly miss him here on Larchmere!

THORNLESS HONEY LOCUST
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Harriett

Larchmere Boulevard is not lined with larch trees, but with thornless honey locust trees. They are attractive almost-wispy trees that can withstand bad soil, drought, huge temperature ranges, salt, AND they're fast growers.  I don't know how many elm trees died here on Larchmere in the '80s, but I do know the cross-street North Moreland was hit hard with dutch elm disease, and these trees on Larchmere are quite young.  They also have these fine little leaves, now turning golden yellow and falling to the sidewalks.  I witnessed one of my neighbors sweeping the sidewalk and street and dutifully pushing all the little leaves directly into the storm sewer.  I asked why he was clogging up the sewers, and he gave me that military "don't ask me, I'm just doing what I'm told" answer.  Honestly....

CORKBOARD UPDATE
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Harriett

The bi-annual Larchmere Sidewalk Sale was this Saturday, and we had tons of people here enjoying 20% off in the store, plus sidewalk specials (Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones, hardcover, for $4.50!).  To entertain ourselves and others while staffing the outdoor spaces during the sale, we decided to continue work on the infamous corkboard.  We started this 4'x8' corkboard in late 2003 shortly after our move to the new space, and it hangs in the hallway near the newspaper racks and other free publicity materials.  Customers and friends have provided us with ample corks to finish the project, but the trick is working on it in a horizontal position so the glue has time to dry, which you can't do when you're using it as a corkboard on the wall. 

So, we're pleased to announce that Jan and friends have finished the corkboard project!  Well, almost.  See, someone began this champagne border, and we don't have quite enough champagne corks for the top edge.  So if you're drinking champagne, be sure to save us the corks!  :-) 

RUGS AND LIMBO
Friday, August 17, 2007
Harriett

So I decided perhaps I'd start a blog.  Having kept a journal since age 7 or so, and in conjunction with Loganberry's monthly e-newsletters, it seems a tad redundant (especially when Audrey says I have to get a MySpacepage too), but here goes. 

Today the news is about rugs and limbos.  Our beloved vegetarian restaurant on the street, Cafe Limbo, has seemingly closed her doors.  I dare say she will resurrect, albeit differently, but for the time being she's down.  What's down at Loganberry is a new rug.  Down on the floor (that I can scarcely reach for this back ache--caused by moving a rug, mind you), there is a new acquisition from a book customer, a Heriz that looked more peach than red, and now looks orange.  Changes the space somewhat, gives it more light but less purple.  Speaking of rugs, Erdogan is in the process of moving Larchmere Oriental Rugs to the old M% building across the street.  New building paint and signs look great, and it will surely be a wonderful open space for all those rugs.  I used to share space with all those rugs... so many years ago...  But business changes are eternal, and we're just waiting for that coffee shop to open again (at least for some iced tea)...  There was a time when I thought we wouldn't have rugs with the books, and a time when I wondered where to get some veggie eats...  the more things change, the more they stay the same...