Chris got started in photography because of her husband. One day he brought a camera around and she was unsuccessful trying to use it. Determined to learn how, she enrolled in some photography classes at Cuyahoga Community College. She was immediately identified by her professor as someone with a good eye and encouraged her to continue to stick with it. These inspirational words led her to eventually be hired to teach photography classes at the college, and open her own studio in 1995.

Chris is truly passionate about what she does. She says the advantage of getting your pictures taken by her is that she takes the extra time to get to know her client well before the photo shoot ever takes place. It is her belief that the best pictures are taken when the person is truly comfortable with her, because a certain level of trust has now been created to make the experience more enjoyable. This gives her a major advantage over big retail studios. Most of the people working here are only trained for a few hours and have little to no experience. Most of these places you can be in and out in a half hour, with Chris she schedules her appointments to last up to 2 hours because she wants to make sure she captures every bit of the experience. Many people are camera shy, and do not enjoy having pictures of ourselves taken, but want photos of everyone else. Given that she left us with this thought, “We all want pictures of our children and grandchildren and not so many of ourselves. But the way we treasure those pictures of the people we love, they will also treasure the pictures of us.”

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This little bread company quickly became more as customer demands for soups and sandwiches led to the present inclusive menu. Due to increased business, Emerman opened a bakery factory downtown. There, the Stone Oven not only delivers to their café, but also to other local restaurants and supermarkets. It was one of the first businesses in Cleveland to be categorized as a bakery café, presenting a coffee shop, bakery and a restaurant under the same roof.

The Stone Oven carries at least fourteen varieties of bread, from basic Italian to specialty breads such as walnut raisin, asagio cheese, and the very popular Miller’s Multi Grain. Emerman seeks to create a European atmosphere by including bread with every meal. His goal is to redefine bread for Americans who were raised on white packaged bread. The Stone Oven was the first in Cleveland to offer artisan bread: hand shaped loaves, baked with a slow fermentation and slow rise, adding a unique flavor and deep crusts.

Emerman says he truly enjoys the variety of day-to-day tasks associated with his business. He handles all aspects of the café, from payroll to marketing, menu design to the hiring of employees. While he loves his work, his job is endless, and he continues to invest all his time and effort towards the company.

The ambiance of the Stone Oven is casual, and attracts an assortment of customers. Not only can people come to choose from a wide selection of lunches and pastries, but they can also enjoy a place to read, study, or just enjoy the soothing jazz music and the decorations, including a beautiful mural by a local artist. The Stone Oven is also known as a community-based center, serving as a meeting place for clubs and groups. Also an asset to the business is an outside patio fit for summer and WI-FI access.

Emerman likes his location because there are other locally owned businesses surrounding him. He enjoys the proximity to residential areas, adding that allowing people to leave their homes and walk to his restaurant and surrounding locations forces them to meet one another, which “fosters a sense of community that just doesn’t exist in a lot of cities.” He thanks those who have supported the Stone Oven over the years, and states, “For those who haven’t visited the Stone Oven yet, I am certain that once you come in to taste our breads, sample some pasties, and try our soup, you will return for more very shortly.”

“It’s really important for people to support locally-owned businesses,” says Emerman. With many cities giving way to chain restaurants and companies, he feels it is becoming even more difficult for local businesses to compete. He insists that small businesses like his own offer a more personal connection than big box businesses.

“When you spend at a locally-owned business, it’s more than just buying goods and services. You feel rewarded because you know that you’re supporting your community.”

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Big Fun is truly one of Cleveland’s most cherished local businesses. Providing toys, collectibles and other novelties from past generations, Steve Presser (owner and operator of Big Fun) not only has a deep passion for his products but also for his community.

Steve, a Cleveland Heights native and former stock broker, started Big Fun 17 years ago. When asked about how Big Fun got started, Steve explained that he had always been a collector. Steve was a well-known garage sale junkie with a particular interest in pop culture oddities.

Steve’s inspiration for Big Fun started to take hold in 1982 when he visited a little collectible store in Chicago. The shop literally overwhelmed Steve and he had to sit down -

“The best way to describe it was like the first time you saw the Wizard of Oz in color from black and white. Wow! It was beyond awe.”

Eight years later, Big Fun was born.

Steve described wanting to build a business that was a throwback to the good ole’ days when you had a lot of “Mom & Pop” style businesses. One of the most important values Steve has built his business around is community involvement. His dedication to the community is apparent through all the local initiatives he is involved in. He and his wife Debbie participated in the building of the Coventry School Playground 12 years ago. Steve is also a member of the Coventry Village Special Improvement District.

Another important aspect of being involved in the community is supporting other local businesses. Steve couldn’t agree more.

“Being an Independent Business Owner, especially in today’s economy with all the big superstores and big box retailers, it’s refreshing for me to see companies like Motorcars because you guys really get it. You’re active in the community and the service you provide your customers is excellent”.

Steve has a sign customers see when leaving Big Fun that reads ‘Thank you for supporting your local independent business’. His passion for the “buy local” philosophy is strong. Some of the benefits he stresses for buying local include -

• Customers service is one of the most important parts of any business and no one does it better than local businesses. Knowing customers on a first hand basis and creating relationships with other members of the community is priceless.
• Steve explains about the “special feeling” of knowing that you’re supporting a local business who will turn around and support other local businesses in the community, make donations and actively participate in local events.

Trevor Gile, General Manager of Motorcars Honda recently wrote an article in the Heights Observer on the benefits of buying local entitled “Why Buy Local.”

Big Fun has won many local awards and is one of Cleveland’s favorite toy and collectible stores. Steve describes Big Fun as the “safe place on the Monopoly Board.” -

“When you’ve had a really bad day, it’s nice to say I used to have one of those, or oh look at that G.I. Joe, I used to play with that, or Care Bears, oh my gosh, I used to have one of those.”

Just as Steve was overwhelmed in that little collectible shop in Chicago, thousands of Clevelanders are thrown back to a different time in American history when they enter Big Fun. Filled with collectibles from the last 5 decades, Steve has one of the best selections of vintage toys and novelty items in America.

“There are items in our store that any store can carry, but we mix it up and bring in stuff that no one else carries. What makes it even more impressive is our collectible lines, our onesies. The 60’s, 70’s and 80’s stuff. We really push to offer a really unique array of items”

One of the biggest things that separates Big Fun from it’s competitors are the what Steve refers to the “onesies”. These are not reproductions of classis toys, but rather the originals. How does he stay stocked on these originals? He is continually searching and buying old toys like original Transformers or G.I. Joes.

Big Fun has recently branched into the T-Shirt business, fun baby gifts and Cleveland collectibles. All are doing extremely well according to Steve.

Clean out your attic for cash - Big Fun is always buying your old toys and comics.

Big Fun is one of over 40 Merchant Discount Program members. All Motorcars Rewards Program members are entitled to 10% off their purchase at Big Fun. Check our growing list of Merchant Discount members.

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