Something Old, Something New
March 23, 2007
Last night, we stopped by Ohio Knitting Mills (at 231 Smith Street) to see the unveiling of their "new" spring line. The items in stock at this cute and cozy knitwear shop have never been worn — but they're also vintage items. Two years ago, sculptor Steven Tatar was searching for scrap metal near his studio in an industrial section of Cleveland when he came across the shuttered Ohio Knitting Mills factory. There, he discovered thousands of unique and unworn sweaters, capes, vests, shirts, skirts, dresses, and jackets produced from 1947 through 1974 — some of which are now in stock at his Smith Street shop. He and his staff still have mountains of knitwear to sort through, ensuring "new" seasonal items for years to come.
Fans and friends of the store snacked on cheese, crackers and chautcerie, and sipped bottles Great Lakes Brewery's Dortmunder Gold Lager, which, like the clothing line, was imported Cleveland. Apparently, the party raged until 11pm, when a couple of guys took their free beers out on the sidewalk and got caught by the cops. When it was discovered that there was a warrant out for one of them, they cuffed him and took him away. Innocent bystander (and local musician) Chris Mills said, "You never know what kinda shit is gonna go down at a sweater party."
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