Without support teams Cleveland SGS could not exist. Along the way we have met such city heavyweights as Rebel Rog, The Midvale Set, Antonio Solomon, and Travara and Taizahne of the SGS Hot Steppers.

One man who stands out as one of Cleveland’s fiercest set-reppers is Larry Collins of City Buddha. A lifetime city resident Larry loves all things Cleveland, from Earth by April to the EC Zulu Motorcycle Club.

Tasked with carrying the SGS message to Tegalalang, Sebatu, Bali Larry commissioned the above pictured painting on behalf of his brothers and sisters at Cleveland SGS.

To the gentleman painter who created this work and Larry Collins for his efforts on behalf of the SGS Team we say thank you!

This 1880 advertisement was found by SGS in the newspaper archives of the Cleveland Anzeiger.  The Anzeiger was Cleveland’s long-lived German daily paper.  In the ad shown above W.C. Coup, business partner of P.T. Barnum promoted that he would bring his “monster show” to Superior Avenue.  The show most likely consisted of carny folk, small hands, and the smell of cabbage.

Last Sunday, The Unique Thrift on Lorain Ave. was ablaze with talk of affordable break repair and senior discounts. The price savvy shoppers were overheard saying “Girl, now that’s a price I can get with!” Customers and Staff alike lined against the front window frantically transcribing a telephone number from the side of an ornately painted van in the parking lot.

Hand painted commercial communiqués densely arranged on the side of work vehicles are usually an indication that you are in the presence of greatness.

As SGS staff was meticulously documenting every inch of the above pictured van the doors of Unique burst open with a gentleman shouting “Instead of taking pictures of the van you should be taking pictures of me!”

The proprietor of Zone One auto is a man with as much pizazz as his work vehicle. Once informed about our mission he welcomed us to take a closer look. Inspired by a “burly [gentleman] sign painter who stayed off 89th and Cedar”, this business owner decided to give a personal touch to his commercial message. Businesses like Zone One are the heart of the American experience, without them life becomes as mundane as the strip malls that litter our landscape.

To all of Cleveland, Zone One offers break repair for $24.95, Ladies Day on Saturday and Sundays, and 24 hour a day 9 days a week service. Call them now at 216.704.0639 (Senior Discount Welcome)!

Even though all the members of SGS are not Floyd fans, the group agreed that this poster was striking.  This ad for the Emerson Gym concert was found in the October 28-November 3, 1971 Scene magazine.  If you are interested in hearing a song from this concert a fan has uploaded it here.  For a gander at hundreds of other Cleveland music posters and photos located by SGS follow this link.

Nice 5 is an experimental chance delivery system designed by Cleveland SGS. Inspired by the popular Grow 2 and Wonder 6 bingo games, Nice 5 is sure to deliver the ultimate in gaming ecstasy. Match five across with the address of each Cleveland landmark and you win!

Scorpio Diamante has an obsession with Electric Jesus installations. He purchases them from the Arabs and Chinese whenever they are available. Mother Griselda, up until recently, said it was “creepy” and refused to show them to company. Now she has a use for them (note spinning Electric Virgin Mary above) and encourages him to buy more.

Cleveland SGS is a strong advocate for healthy deserts. Fruit Salad is on our menu as a number one co-hit for young girls and boys. The destructive properties of canned peach juice gave way to Juicy Juice which gave way to 20 pieces of rocked salt. Now is the time for supreme health! 

Image : 7910 Carnegie 

 We put the fun in function!

The Roxy Burlesk was the most well known burlesque house in Cleveland history.  Blaze Starr is one of this art forms biggest stars. SGS was lucky enough to find this advertisement from the March 1, 1968 Cleveland Press.  Check out this video of Blaze Starr to see what only a select few Clevelanders can brag about witnessing on E. 9th and Chester.  If you would like to view other ads from the Roxy mined by SGS click here.  

Cleveland SGS spends a lot of time wondering about lots like the one above (East 65th and Morgan), there are many scattered throughout the city. They appear to be long past their commercial life yet there are still signs of human activity.

This lot has a grotesque beauty to it … a memorial to the loop holes in market economies. Hemorrhaging trailers with faded logos are scattered throughout; the earth beneath supports nothing but toxin resistant weeds. Owned and exploited by an entity who values it only as storage, unaware of the message it conveys.

A sort of anti-environmental statement that is in its own way valuable to the public. SGS thanks this lot owner for conveying a message of disrespect; disrespect for the inhabitants of the neighborhood, disrespect for the future, and disrespect for the visual space that it pollutes.