This weekend, I set out to show my friend Carrie, an avid Pittsburgh supporter (I don’t hold it against her), why I love Cleveland. We both had some shopping to do so I figured there would be no better place to go than Crocker Park in Westlake.
If you haven’t been before, Crocker Park is shopping area with stores like Urban Outfitters, Loft, GAP and DSW. It also has restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory, B Spot Burgers and 87 West Wine Bar. There are also smaller restaurants that are amazing as well. Crocker Park also has a movie theater and a ton of lawn space to sit and relax after a day of shopping. My favorite part is the large chess board surrounded by smaller sets. I’ve always enjoyed playing and it’s neat to see a set that seems larger than life.
We set out for Crocker Park in the early afternoon. Because it’s outdoors, we wanted to make sure we had nice weather (luckily for us, the weather is always fantastic in Cleveland). We came from the east side, so we had to pass Cleveland on the way. It’s important to note that Carrie excitedly asked, “Is that Cleveland?!” as we drove past the city and could see the skyline in the distance.
The atmosphere at Crocker Park is very cheery. I love the open spaces and variety of stores. It’s easy to find anything you need or anything you decided that you needed once you got there and saw it in a store window.
I’ve been going to Crocker Park since I was a senior in high school and I can’t remember ever having a bad experience with anyone who works there. It seems weird, especially because different stores have different policies, but the environment is one of happiness and helpfulness. In fact, my aunt and I were shopping there a few years ago and I had a coupon for a shirt. My aunt jokingly asked if she could have the same discount for a shirt she was getting for my brother and the cashier actually said yes. I think Carrie made a friend at H&M, t00.
Perhaps the reason everyone seems so nice is the fact that Crocker Park is more of a community than a shopping center.They often have events and special occasions. For example, they had a pet costume contest for Halloween and a human costume contest when the final Harry Potter movie premiered. They also engage customers online by giving away gift cards. It’s probably difficult to be rude They to customers when you work at such a fun place.
After the trip, I think Carrie saw that Cleveland has some fun things to offer. She may stay loyal to Pittsburgh, but she can also be happy in Cleveland.
Cleveland's Own 