CSU alumnus Sam McNulty puts urban revitalization on tap in Ohio City
Meet the mayor of West 25th Street.
OK, so Sam McNulty doesn’t really hold that title. He may as well, however. This Cleveland State University alumnus owns and operates some of the most popular hangouts in Cleveland’s hip Ohio City neighborhood, including McNulty’s Bier Markt, Bar Cento, Speakeasy, Market Garden Brewery & Distillery and Nano Brew, all within a few blocks of the West Side Market.
“I was one of those students,” McNulty said, laughing. “I’d take a philosophy class and think, ‘Maybe I should be a philosophy major.’ Then I’d take an art class and think, ‘Maybe I should do art.’”
He also briefly contemplated a career in architecture before finding his niche at CSU’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs. He earned a bachelor’s degree in urban studies in 1997.
“My educational experience there was one of the best I’ve ever had, hands down,” McNulty told ENGAGED during a recent interview on the patio at Market Garden. Every few minutes, he would exchange pleasantries with a passer-by. He lives across the street, which usually makes for a nice commute.
“At least it’s nice until I’m late for a meeting – then I can’t use the excuse of being stuck in traffic,” said McNulty, an avid bicyclist who doesn’t own a car.
On the side at CSU, McNulty was a computer lab tutor and served in student government. But his biggest claim to Viking fame was creating and running the campus eatery Café 101. When CSU issued a request for proposals for the foodservice operation in the old University Center, McNulty – who had just taken a proposal-writing class – submitted one, almost on a whim. To his surprise, his proposal was chosen.
“Little by little, we grew,” McNulty said. “Eventually, we had lines out the door. We couldn’t make the food fast enough. We made everything from scratch, and it was the only place in that area of downtown with local craft beer on tap.
“To this day, some of the recipes we use at Bar Cento originated at Café 101. We modified the Café 101 pizza dough for Bar Cento, and we put garlic in the French fries at Bar Cento, just like we did at Café 101.”
After a successful eight-year run, Café 101 closed in 2004. The following year, McNulty opened Bier Markt, followed in quick succession by Bar Cento (2007), Speakeasy (2009) and Market Garden (2011). Nano Brew opened last year.
McNulty’s next venture is the Palace of Fermentation, an emporium and production facility where beer as well as pickles, cured meat, cheese and other foods will be made through natural fermentation. It’s set to open in 2014, around the corner from McNulty’s other establishments.
Despite his ever-expanding foodservice empire, McNulty still considers himself an urban planner at heart.
“If you think about it, the restaurant/bar business is a good vehicle for urban revitalization,” he said. “Great Lakes Brewing Company is 25 years old – and they had their best year ever last year as a result of the neighborhood improvements here in Ohio City. The restaurant/bar business tends to spawn complementary businesses. It sounds cliché, but it’s true: The rising tide lifts all ships. We’re seeing it firsthand here.”
Here's a little video I made in remembrance of Chap One, a young MC I barely knew, who passed away 16th July 2011, a month after first met him. I was filming at The Horn at the time, on Sunday Nights when The Black Jesus Experience play weekly. Please excuse the bad sound! Didn't have proper gear with me.
Take the time to check out his music, a talented young guy gone to soon
Chap One - Strange Frequencies on iTunes
Chap One - Sam McNulty on facebook
Also in remembrance of Simon Brant who passed away this past week six years ago (13th July 2006).
