17 Cleveland Businesses Proudly Owned by Members of the LGBTQ+ Community

By Scene Staff on Fri, Oct 5, 2018 at 4:10 pm

In honor of the passing of Cuyahoga County's LGBTQ+ protection ordinance, it's high time we featured the incredible contributions made by the ingenuity and passion of members of our LGBTQ+ community. Whether it's a dance club, brunch spot or even personalized dog training, these businesses and eateries brought by our LGBTQ+ guys, gals and non-binary pals truly enhance the Cleveland experience. Most of the businesses featured are part of Plexus, the official Chamber of Commerce for the LGBTQ+ Community and Allies. Disclaimer: Non-Plexus member businesses featured have gone on public record with Scene as a LGBTQ+ owned business, or have provided their permission to be featured in this slideshow. We're not here to out people without their consent. If you or someone you know are a LGBTQ+ business owner and want to be featured in this list, let us know! There's always more room under the rainbow.

In honor of the passing of Cuyahoga County's LGBTQ+ protection ordinance, it's high time we featured the incredible contributions made by the ingenuity and passion of members of our LGBTQ+ community. Whether it's a dance club, brunch spot or even personalized dog training, these businesses and eateries brought by our LGBTQ+ guys, gals and non-binary pals truly enhance the Cleveland experience.

Most of the businesses featured are part of Plexus, the official Chamber of Commerce for the LGBTQ+ Community and Allies.

Disclaimer: Non-Plexus member businesses featured have gone on public record with Scene as a LGBTQ+ owned business, or have provided their expressed permission to be featured in this slideshow. We're not here to out people without their consent.

If you or someone you know are a LGBTQ+ business owner and want to be featured in this list, let us know! There's always more room under the rainbow.

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Felice Urban Cafe

12502 Larchmere Blvd., 216-791-0918

In 2008, 79-year-old Margaret Mueller opened her first restaurant, Felice Urban Café, and successfully ran the business until 2017, when she was almost 90. Afraid she'd have to sell the property and the business to outside forces, her grandson Jack Mueller and his husband Paul Neundorfer stepped in to save the restaurant, and have continued to run the Larchmere cafe ever since. Known for their locally-sourced produce (including ingredients from its own garden), Felice also features one of the best patios in Cleveland, a cozy first floor dining experience, a hip second story bar and a third floor available for private events. The food contains staples from Margaret Mueller's original menu, but has now expanded to provide vegan and gluten-free options as well. Be sure to try the veggie kofta tacos, they'll kick your tastebuds in the face.

Photo Provided By Scene Archives

Coven

1384 Bonnieview Ave. Lakewood, 216-767-5800

Coven is a place where someone can come to dip their toe into the world of witchcraft, as well as to see if it's a path they would like to explore. Witchy supplies like herbs, candles, sage, anointing oils and healing crystals adorn the shelves of the shop, but if legitimate witchcraft isn't your thing, aesthetically witchy items are also available, such as a Beyoncé worship candle or a T-shirt with a phrase like "Cunty Vibes." Coven also offers artisan skincare, teas, bath salts, room sprays and jewelry handcrafted by women, in addition to the fabulous Lake Witch's Spellkits, authentic witch kits made by an actual witch, not something mass produced and sold next to lip plumper in the middle of a JC Penny. More than just a store, Coven can also supply visitors with a supernatural experience. Candle carving, anointing and blessing are available in-store, along with the chance to make your own mojo bag with the help of Coven's staff.

Photo by Emmanuel Wallace for Cleveland Scene

Food For Thought Catering

7574 St Clair Ave. Mentor, 440-946-0383

Whether you need to feed a conference meeting or a full-blown convention, Food For Thought Catering is one of Northeast Ohio's staple catering services with delicious food and fabulous service. As one of northeast Ohio's largest full-service catering companies, Food For Thought offers packages for any party size, flavor palate, dietary restriction or budget. Food For Thought Catering is an officially registered Plexus business.

Photo Courtesy of Food For Thought on Facebook

Pura Vida by Brandt

170 Euclid Ave., 216-987-0100

Noted Cleveland chef, Brandt Evans, opened Pura Vida in 2011 in the old May Company Building right off Public Square. This downtown spot offers gourmet breakfasts, lunches and dinner featuring contemporary reinterpretations of classic American dishes. All of the food is farm fresh, and Pura Vida may boast one of the best restaurant views in the entire city. A meal at Pura Vida is second to none, as chef Brandt Evans represented Cleveland on the Food Network and Celebrity Cooking Stage of the Fabulous Food Show in 2008. Pura Vida by Brandt is an officially registered Plexus business.

Photo by Elaine Cicora for Cleveland Scene

Pop Life Universe

15619 Waterloo Road, [email protected]

The second business owned by Jack Mueller featured on this list, Pop Life is a gallery, juice bar and donation-based yoga and wellness studio. While the building itself is scheduled to open later this year, Mueller has already made a massive impact on the Waterloo arts district, after artist Camille Walala completely redesigned the former Key Bank building with her signature color pop style.

Photo Credit: Nolan Beck for Pop Life Universe

Sits 'n Wiggles Pet Care & Training

[email protected], 216-910-7487

For the very best in pet care and training, Valarie and Hannah Ross-Smith's company, Sits 'n Wiggles, has been helping owners with their furry friends since 2015. The couple, along with their staff, offer dog walking, pet sitting, owner training and positive reinforcement training for dogs of all breeds and sizes. Because Sits 'n Wiggles is a force-free service, your pups will be trained without the use prong or pinch training, choke, radio, or shock collars. They truly emphasize training dogs in the safest and most welcoming environment possible. Not restricted to four legged friends, Sits 'n Wiggles also offers pet sitting opportunities for more exotic pets like fish, snakes, bunnies, birds, guinea pigs and hedgehogs to name a few.

Photo Courtesy of Sits 'n Wiggles Pet Care & Training