In the aftermath of last week’s storms across Cleveland, many residents turned to community resources and spaces for relief. An intimate family-owned space 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 multi-functional creative community space that hosts meetings, 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 Gatewood, opened Gatewood Home/Share as a community gathering place that could accommodate 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 did not know a lot of things that were available to regular residents in the neighborhood,” Marlene said. “People would come in and ask us for help with resources or fixing different things, so it made me realize that the community needed a place to go.”

At that time, she worked for a company that wanted her to relocate to Chicago.

After discussing the potential move with her husband and praying about the decision, they decided it would be best for their family to remain in Cleveland. Upon departing corporate America, Marlene decided to tap into some of her other passions: hospitality and event planning.

“Our son was doing community-based work, so we just added our hospitality to events he would host, and people really loved it.” 

A teenage dream

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

“GamerHaven was an idea I have had in my head since 2002. I saw a need for a community space around games, because the arcade situation changed when online gaming started to take off,” Robert said.

That idea encouraged Robert to pursue a degree in graphic design and communication from Cleveland State University. After he graduated and got some experience in the field, he decided to start his own graphic design company and pursue his dream of GamerHaven. He credits the energy and excitement of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ historic 2016 championship run as giving him the final nudge he needed to get started.

“In 2016 after the Cavs won the NBA championship, I was hype and I just decided to take a leap of faith and I told myself I was just gonna do it.”

With both he and his parents looking for a new start, together they began to search for a building that could accommodate all of their needs. Robert came across the perfect opportunity in 2017.

“There was a place called the LaSalle Tavern we looked at and we got really close to purchasing that, but the cost of rehabilitation was almost $300,000, so that wasn’t gonna happen,” Robert said.

After the disappointing meeting, Robert went across the street to a coffee shop, known as Blackwater Roasters at the time, to rejuvenate.

“I went across the street to drown my sorrows in coffee and learned that the business owner there was stuck in a lease he wasn’t going to be able to handle. 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 had its official grand opening.

The Gatewood Home/Share experience

The upstairs area offers an entertainment area including a karaoke machine, stage, spirits and light food offerings, 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, farmers markets and company holiday parties. There is also a concrete backyard, which features a basketball court, artwork, fire pit, smoker, grill, urban garden and elevated shaded deck. Members are welcome to bring their own food to eat or prepare as well.

GamerHaven, which is downstairs, offers a full-scope gaming experience for those who enjoy any kind of game, whether it be cards, Monopoly or a wide selection of video games.

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

GamerHaven has a digital library of up to 20,000 games across multiple gaming platforms. The space has hosted various workshops centered around technology including virus protection, iPhone diagnostics and consumer technology. With his background in graphic design, Robert has even been able to help members create their own video games.

What does the future hold?

After a setback in business due to the COVID-19 pandemic and constant road construction, the Allens feel as though things are finally somewhat normal again.

“We slowed down a lot during COVID, and they have been doing a ton of construction work over here for a while, so we didn’t see as many people come in,” Marlene said.

“People are just now starting to feel comfortable being out and about again. We are a place for people in need or anyone trying to get their passion off the ground and needs a place to start. If we can’t help you, we will absolutely direct you to someone who can. We sell love here. Plenty of love.”

Individual membership is available for $50 a month. This gives you access to both Gatewood Home and GamerHaven, refreshments, Wi-Fi, event planning assistance and monthly workshops. For more information, including on community events and other types of membership, click here.