After last week’s storms across Cleveland, many residents turned to community resources and places for help. A cozy, family-run spot in Collinwood opened its doors to residents in need of food, water, Wi-Fi and electricity.

Gatewood Home/Share, located at 532 E. 185th St., is a two-story, multifunctional creative community space that hosts meet-ups, karaoke nights, birthday parties, video game tournaments and more.

From Corporate to Comfort

In 2020, Marlene Gatewood-Allen, her husband Don Allen, and their son Robert Allen opened Gatewood Home/Share as a community gathering place that could meet the diverse needs of the neighborhood.

“Years ago, I started a block club on East 169th. That led me to listening to neighbors and realizing that they didn’t know about a lot of things that were available to regular residents of the neighborhood,” Marlene said. “People would come in and ask us for help with resources or to do various repairs. That’s when I realized the community needed a place to go.”

At the time, she was working for a company that wanted to bring her to Chicago.

After discussing the potential move with her husband and praying about the decision, they decided that staying in Cleveland would be best for their family. After leaving the American corporate world, Marlene decided to pursue some of her other passions: hospitality and event planning.

“Our son was active in the community, so we just supported the events he hosted with our hospitality. And people were really excited about it.”

A teenage dream

Robert Allen, who oversees the downstairs area of ​​Gatewood Home/Share known as GamerHaven, has always considered himself a gamer.

“The idea for GamerHaven has been in my head since 2002. I saw the need for a community space around games, because the situation in arcades was changing when online gaming emerged,” said Robert.

This idea encouraged Robert to pursue a degree in graphic design and communications at Cleveland State University. After graduating and gaining some experience in the field, he decided to start his own graphic design company and pursue his dream of GamerHaven. He says the energy and excitement of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ historic championship run in 2016 gave him the final push he needed to get started.

“After the Cavs won the NBA championship in 2016, I was super excited and decided to just trust my luck and tell myself I was just going to go for it.”

He and his parents wanted a fresh start and together they began searching for a building that could meet all their needs. In 2017, Robert came across the perfect opportunity.

“We looked at a place called Lethal Bar and were close to buying it, but the renovation costs were almost $300,000, so that was out of the question,” Robert said.

After the disappointing meeting, Robert went across the street to recover at a cafe then known as Black Water Roasters Coffee.

“I went across the street to drown my sorrows in coffee and learned that the business owner there was stuck on a lease that he couldn’t fulfill. One thing led to another, I had him call the owner of the building and he signed the lease over to me.”

A month later, GamerHaven celebrated its official opening.

The Gatewood Home/Share Experience

The upstairs area offers an entertainment area with a karaoke machine, stage, liquor and light fare, including Marlene’s famous artichoke dip. There is an area dedicated to black history and Cleveland history. Events held there have ranged from family reunions to farmers markets to corporate parties. There is also a concrete backyard with a basketball court, artwork, fire pit, smoker, grill, urban garden and raised, shaded patio. Members are welcome to bring or prepare their own food.

GamerHaven on the ground floor offers a comprehensive gaming experience for those who enjoy all types of games, be it cards, Monopoly or a wide selection of video games.

“For me, the term ‘gaming culture’ is a framework for the awareness that games are human experiences that everyone plays. When you think about it that way, you can connect gaming to anything,” said Robert.

GamerHaven has a digital library of up to 20,000 games for multiple gaming platforms. The space has hosted a variety of workshops on technology, including antivirus, iPhone diagnostics, and consumer technology. With his background in graphic design, Robert was even able to help members create their own video games.

What does the future hold?

After a decline in business due to the COVID-19 pandemic and constant road construction, the Allens feel like things are finally back to some semblance of normal.

“We slowed down a lot during COVID and there has been a lot of construction going on here for a while so not as many people have been coming,” Marlene said.

“People are just starting to feel comfortable getting out there again. We’re a place for people in need or anyone who wants to get their passion going and needs a place to start. If we can’t help you, we’ll definitely refer you to someone who can. We sell love here. Lots of love.”

An individual membership is available for $50 per month, which gives you access to Gatewood Home and GamerHaven, refreshments, WiFi, event planning assistance, and monthly workshops. More information, including community events and other membership types, can be found here.