Welcome Letter

Excellence in Made to Measure Tailoring

THIS IS WHAT WINNING FEELS LIKE.

REMEMBER WHEN THE YEAR’S BIG CLEVELAND STORY WAS THE 2016 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION?

BY WALLY NAYMON, SHOPKEEPER

We were all breathless with anticipation for the chance we’d finally have to share Cleveland’s renaissance with the nation and the world. Our city never looked better: new hotels were booked solid; Public Square had received the makeover of the century; downtown was abuzz with excitement for the 50,000 visitors, delegates and media about to descend on our city. Finally—yes, FINALLY—we’d have something big— REALLY BIG—to celebrate.

But here on the North Coast things never turn out quite the way we plan, so why should this year have been any different?

So while the RNC exposed our city to millions around the world, the real story this year turned out to be the odyssey of homegrown perseverence, talent and tenacity—our Cleveland Cavaliers—and their epic battle for the NBA championship. And for once, we snatched victory from the jaws of defeat...instead of the other way around. Years ago, Browns receiver Josh Cribbs remarked, “We almost win. We almost always almost win.” And that was the solitary truth of Cleveland sports. Until this year.

Our guys did it in true Cleveland fashion, too: Game seven. Score tied. Less than a minute on the clock. The enemy’s court. That’s winning The Hard Way on Purpose, as local writer David Giffels dubbed it in his collection of essays (of the same name) on coming of age in the Rust Belt and the heartbreak of Cleveland sports. For the million-plus fans who waited a lifetime to celebrate victory in the streets of Cleveland, we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Thanks for shopping with us, enjoy this issue of the magazine, and we hope to see you soon at Kilgore Trout.