With a unique inventory of specially curated goods, The Shop at Cleveland Stone Co. offers a fresh take on gifts, home décor and more

By Patricia Nugent

The newest shopping destination for greater Clevelanders—The Shop at Cleveland Stone Co.—offers curated goods for those with discriminating tastes and distinctive homes. Fronted by floor-to-ceiling windows, the space overlooks both the Vermilion River and Lake Erie, and is near the quaint historic district of downtown Vermilion.

“It was important to us to bring to the area things people won’t find in other stores,” says Vicki Heyman, who operates the shop along with Zach Carpenter, owner of Cleveland Stone Companies.

The two have spent the last year putting together eclectic items for the home, going to shows across the country and discovering artists and providers. Vicki’s past career as a manufacturers representative for a national home décor company is evident throughout the inviting and expertly merchandized areas of the shop.

Feather Your Nest in Style
You’ll find everything needed to decorate your space that’s reflective of your taste: rugs, chairs, side tables, coffee tables, bars, desks, wall art, lighting fixtures, candles, pillows, tableware, glassware, plush throw blankets, bookends, geodes, jewelry, greeting cards and darling décor pieces. With the holidays nearly here, they’ve loaded the store with Christmas decorations, including ornaments, napkins, greenery and fabulously festive decor.

What the merchandise has in common is a reliance on natural materials like stone, wood and metal, as well as a nod to history. Some of the wall art includes vintage architectural drawings and mechanical elements.

Anyone who loves funky lamps will adore it here. Most of the items have their own story to tell.

For instance, by the front register, Vicki spotlights one of her favorites, a mystical moon sculpture that levitates over its base. And there’s a display of chic messenger bags made from vintage army tents (perfect for lugging your laptop).

“We wanted to appeal to all budgets,” says Vicki. “We have candles for under $20 and unique hostess gifts and stocking stuffers for under $10.”

Catering to Special Interests
Vicki has carved out niches of themed products to serve special interests, from book clubbers to dinosaur lovers, lake house owners and bourbon aficionados.

“People with lake houses love our fish rugs, nautical pillows and sculptures,” she says. “And avid readers keep coming back for one-of-a-kind bookmarks and bookends and whimsical things like wine glasses that mark the amount by ‘short story, long story,’ pencils and pens with quotes from famous authors, and specific items honoring literary greats such as Edgar Allen Poe.”

Vicki says that even though they’ve only been open for a few weeks, interior designers have noticed them and started shopping for their clients.

Renowned Stone Fabricators
While visiting the shop, Zach and Vicki hope people will also peruse the stone yard, located just behind The Shop.

“Homeowners, architects and masons come to our location to find everything they need in stone. From paving and landscaping boulders to hearths and veneer stone, if it’s not available at the stone yard, it can be custom-cut in our fabrication facility, also located on site here in Vermilion,” he says. “Our company has been around since the 1880s. We’ve worked on big and little projects over the years, including the Guardians statues on Hope Memorial Bridge. Since we quarry our own stone and create pieces here, people get a feel for the local beauty and artistry.”

The Shop at Cleveland Stone Co. is located at 850 West River Road in Vermilion, about 20 minutes west of Avon/Avon Lake. Call 440-963-4008 or visit the Facebook page for more information.