CLEVELAND —
In the shadows of Browns Stadium, tucked behind the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, you'll find a special part of Cleveland.
"Being down here is a whole different world, when the sun comes out you feel like you're not in Cleveland," Elaina Kovach, Intro Boutique and Token co-owner, says. "You feel like you're at the beach."
The shops and restaurants thrive on tourism.
"Browns games, the Rock Hall, we are seeing so many visitors and travelers that it's always exciting," Emily Kovach, Elaina's sister and fellow co-owner, added.
All the businesses have one thing in common: They're owned by women.
"It means a lot. It's great," Sushi 86 owner Rachel Hsu told us. "It's just a whole little corner of our own world that we can thrive. We help each other out, keep connected, learn things from each other."
"We're like, 'Girl power!' you know what I mean?" Lisa Redmond, Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar owner, added. "And that's what's special about it."
Redmond was first, opening the restaurant in North Coast Harbor nearly a decade ago. Then the Kovach sisters joined the years later with Intro Boutique before later opening Token, specializing in Cleveland-themed souvenirs and gifts.
"It's super empowering, and it's nice to bounce ideas off the other women," Emily Kovach said. "And then it just feels cool."
"And then just being down here with the other women is just so awesome," Elaina Kovach concurred.
Hsu has owned Sushi 86 for nearly 24 years, recently moving to North Coast Harbor. She also opened a coffee shop and café next door called Bites.
"Not only being a woman-owned business; I support women by hiring — the majority of my staff are women," Hsu said. "It's a new type of business. We've never really had our main business be tourists, so we're really affected with what the Rock Hall does."
The group hopes to pave the way and set an example for the next generation.
"If this is something you want to do in your life, you've just got to really go for it," Redmond noted.
"I hope it sends to the next generation that you can do what you want no matter who you are," Hsu said.