Things '80s and '90s Kids in Cleveland Can't Forget

By Brett Zelman on Thu, Aug 31, 2023 at 4:30 pm

There are some things about Cleveland in the 1980s and 1990s that anyone who was a kid during that time just can't forget.

Take, for example, the feeling of walking into the Grog Shop for the first time. Or the joyous feeling of watching Omar Vizquel field grounders. Or looking out through the Chagrin Valley while on a coaster at Geauga Lake.

If you want to remember all of the things that you'd thought you'd forgotten, take a spin through this collection of weird and wild things that '80s and '90s kids remember about Cleveland.

Tags:

Scroll down to view images

Big Fun/Facebook

Getting a Trick Toy and some Cards at Big Fun

A trip to Big Fun in Cleveland Heights was the pinnacle of any childhood in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Whether you were getting a gag gift, a couple wrestling figures, some candy cigarettes or some other cool toy or collectible, nothing was cooler and more specific to the era than this novelty toy shop.

Mike Kalasnik/Flickr CC

Hanging at Westgate or Beachwood Mall

Strolling through the mall at a leisurely pace with a group of friends was such a thing of the ‘80s and ‘90s that Kevin Smith made a film about it. Whether it was getting Chick-Fil-A or Beverly Hills Cafe at Beachwood Place, going to Foot Locker at Southgate, or simply just hangin’ with friends, mall kids are now a thing of the past.

Blink+/Flickr CC

Dialing into 107.9 The End

Talk to any music lover that grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s and they’re sure to remember the heyday of 107.9 The End. Pearl Jam, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Replacements, Nirvana. It was all on The End. The station ended in 1996 with a legendary closing by playing R.E.M.’s ‘It’s the End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)’ for 24 hours straight.

Erik Drost/Flickr CC

First Flats Bar Night

After hearing all of your uncle’s stories from the heyday of the Flats, you and your friends gather together for that first night out at Shooters. It doesn’t quite live up to the hype but is still exciting nonetheless, especially when you smoke that cigarette out on the water with the barge coming in.

Sarah/Flickr CC

Getting a Hemp Necklace at Spencer Gifts

Spencer Gifts was like the forbidden fruit at the local malls in the ‘80s and ‘90s. They had sick band tees, lava lamps and other fun decor from the time and of course those rad hemp necklaces. Far out, dude.

NBA.com

Tuning in to hear Joe Tait Call a Cavs’ Game

”Wham, with the right hand!” and all the other phrases Joe Tait was known for will go down in Cavaliers’ lore. Tait, who is mostly connected with those great Price/Daugherty/Nance teams coached by Lenny Wilkins, called Cavaliers’ games for 27 years total.

Cleveland Memory Project

Celebrating a Big Moment With Dinner at The New York Spaghetti House or Frank and Pauly’s

There was nothing like heading downtown and heading to a special restaurant like the New York Spaghetti House or Frank and Pauly’s. This was the pinnacle of fine dining in Cleveland during the ‘80s and ‘90s, but was the food actually good? We’d like to think so.

Screenshot

Seeing a cheap movie at the Parma Theater

Discount films at the Parma Theater was a perfect way to spend an afternoon with friends, especially if you were watching a great ‘80s or ‘90s comedy like ‘Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ or ‘Dumb and Dumber’.

Mike Mozart/Flickr CC

Using a Payphone to Call Your Parents to Pick You Up

Yes, a payphone really was needed because how else would you get ahold of your parents for a ride? And in the later part of the ‘90s, they could page you if they needed you. *Please leave your name after the beep... BEEEP "Mom, come pick me up!"

Scene Archives

Your First Peabody’s or Grog Shop Concert

Going to see some band only you and your friends had heard of at the Grog Shop or Peabodys truly just made you feel cool. You and the 20 people there swear this is the band that should’ve made it big.