A (Love) Letter From the Editor…

If you’d told me 20 years ago that I’d be sitting here, writing a love letter to Ohio, I would’ve laughed in your face. Like so many kids who grew up in Northeast Ohio, I spent my younger years dreaming of escape. The message was everywhere: Get out while you can. There’s nothing here for you. 

And, for a while, I believed it. 😭

So I left. I packed my bags for Chicago during grad school, convinced that the grass would be greener, the skyline taller, and the opportunities endless. And sure, Chicago was great—until it wasn’t. Somewhere between the packed trains, sky-high rent, and the constant hustle, I started longing for something else. I missed the way Ohio felt. 🫣

I missed the sound of Friday night football games and the way the whole town showed up. I missed apple orchards in the fall and Lake Erie summers that smelled like sunscreen and freedom. I missed neighbors who waved when you drove by and grocery store cashiers who actually remembered your name. I missed the quiet, the space, and the sense of belonging that no mega city could replace.

Coming back to Ohio wasn’t just a return—it was a realization. This place isn’t a stepping stone; it’s a destination. And the more I looked around, the more I saw how much there was to love.

Northeast Ohio isn’t just downtown Cleveland. It’s small towns with quirky festivals, neighborhoods where kids ride their bikes until the streetlights come on, and hardworking people who show up for each other. It’s old-school diners, rolling farmland, and a city that’s way cooler than it gets credit for.

I come from a long line of Ohioans—five generations deep. My family is made up of steelworkers, coal miners, teachers, and carpenters—the kind of people who know the value of hard work, a good laugh, and a strong cup of coffee.

Before my big move to Chi-town, I grew up in the country, surrounded by more cows than people, where a trip to the grocery store was a 30-minute drive and waving at every truck you passed wasn’t just polite, it was expected. 

So whether you’re from a downtown high-rise, a cul-de-sac in the suburbs, or a farmhouse at the end of a dirt road, I get you. High-rise downtown? Love that too.

Clevelandish isn’t about dividing people—it’s about celebrating everyone who calls this place home, from lifelong locals to fresh transplants, in all their weird, wonderful, underrated glory. Expect stories from the corner bar, the urban farm, the mom-and-pop shop, and everywhere in between—because Cleveland’s best stories are the ones we haven’t heard yet.

That’s why we started Clevelandish—to shine a light on all the good stuff we so often overlook. This isn’t another fast-paced, in-your-face news blast. It’s a place to slow down, laugh a little, and remember why we love it here. We’ll share heartwarming stories, local gems, and the kind of things that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. No doomscrolling required.

So if you’re a millennial mom juggling a million things, a homeowner looking for realistic home decor & maintenance tips, or just someone who wants to feel good about where they live, you’re in the right place. 

Ohio’s got plenty of people telling you what’s wrong with it. I’m here to remind you why it’s home.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, Clevelanders—it’s our time. Our time down here. If you know, you know. But even if you don’t, just trust me when I say that this is Cleveland’s moment. We’re done being the underdog, the flyover state, the place people leave.

We’ve got a city full of history, heart, and people who actually care about their neighbors. And if you stick around, I promise I’ll keep reminding you of all the reasons why this place—and the people in it—are worth celebrating.

Each week, you’ll be served up a cozy mix of stories that make you smile, hidden gems you didn’t know existed, and practical tips to make life just a little bit easier (because we all know adulthood is a scam and we’re just out here doing our best). Expect deep dives into quirky Ohio history, heartfelt neighborhood shoutouts, and, yes, my relentless quest to crown the best donut in town. (I take this job very seriously.) Think of me as your internet neighbor—the one who always has good recommendations, never judges your lawn, and is totally down to split an order of pierogies with you.

Welcome to Clevelandish!—I’m so glad you’re here.

Talk Soon,

Amy, Your friendly neighborhood Cleveland Lover