Have you ever been in the room when a negative comment leaves someone else’s lips sounding like, “Cleveland is the mistake on the Lake,” or “There is really nothing special about Cleveland”? 

Hurts your heart a bit, right?

Engage! Cleveland knows the importance of celebrating Cleveland, and how a good reputation can drive attraction and retention of the next generation of Clevelanders. 

According to the 2023 State of the Young Professional Community Report (SYPCR), a survey Engage! Cleveland conducts bi-annually to get a finger on the pulse of the early to mid-career professional community in Cleveland, a whopping 91% of respondents had a positive view of Cleveland, but only 27% of those respondents said they were “cheerleaders” of Cleveland, with the remaining respondents being passive, or negative. 

To shine a spotlight on the Clevelanders who are actively making a difference in our community, we’re excited to start sharing their stories—aiming to challenge and change the current perception.

This month we would like to introduce Gabe Wasylko, Cleveland photographer, life-long resident, and champion of the CLE . We chatted with Gabe about the reasons he believes Cleveland is the place to be. Read his full story below, and connect with him on social media @GabeWasylko (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Threads), @Gabe_Wasylko (TikTok), @gabewasylko.com (BlueSky). 

EC: Welcome Gabe, thanks for sitting down with us to all of the amazing things you are doing in Cleveland, we are excited to get to know you better. Tell us a little more about yourself before we dive in.

GW: Thanks for the opportunity! My name is Gabe Waslyko, and I am the Senior Social Media Manager for Destination Cleveland and Owner of Gabe Wasylko Photography. I have been a life-long enthusiast of Cleveland and love being able to help others fall in love with this city through photography.

EC: Do you currently work and/or live in Cleveland? 

GW: Yes! I work my full-time job in Downtown Cleveland and live in the city of Fairview Park.

EC: How long have you worked or lived in Cleveland? 

GW: While I grew up in Brunswick, Ohio (30 minute drive from Downtown Cleveland), I’ve either lived, worked or have gone to school in Northeast Ohio throughout my entire life.

EC: How would you describe yourself? A Cleveland transplant, boomerang, or life-long resident.

GW: Life-long resident. I have a connection with the city that I truly love!

EC: What is it about Cleveland that makes you feel at home here, and why do you choose to live in this city over other places?

GW:  The number one reason is connection. Through the people I get to meet and the work I get to be part of, I feel a sense of pride helping the city that made me who I am. I feel connected to Cleveland’s mission, goals and future – and that my work makes a difference.

EC: Can you describe your favorite neighborhood or area in Cleveland? What makes it special to you, and how does it reflect your connection to the city?  

GW: It has to be either Little Italy or Larchmere – the combination of food, local shops and histoy is second to none. Both are normally not on the list for people visiting the area, but they never disappoint. You can spend a day walking around and shopping and never get bored – I do it at least once a month.

EC: Cleveland has a rich history and culture. What part of the city’s history or culture do you connect with most, and how does that shape your view of Cleveland today?  

GW: For me, it’s through food and art. I love not only learning about Cleveland’s history, but I love hearing about it through the eyes of the locals who experienced it first-hand. Their resilience and pride telling stories about where Cleveland was and how it is today truly makes me feel connected to The Land. Learning more about the city I grew up in makes me even more hopeful and excited about the future.

EC: What are some of your favorite places to visit in Cleveland, whether for leisure, food, or entertainment? Why do these spots stand out to you?  

GW: Whether it’s taking pictures and running in the Metroparks, kayaking in the Cuyahoga River, or exploring all of Cleveland’s diverse neighborhoods, there’s no shortage of go-to spots I like to explore in The Land. Some of my favorite moments revolve around going to Cavs, Browns and Guardians cames, then grabbing a bite to eat and a post-game beverage at Cordelia’s, Johnny’s Little Bar, Society Lounge or Il Vinentian. I also love trying all the espresso martini around town, so I have a running list of my favorites, including Marble Room, The Vault, Prosperity Lounge, Cloak and Dagger, and Zhug. When I’m not eating, I love staying active by walking around neighborhoods like University Circle and Tremont, shopping at local bookstores like Loganberry Books, and taking in the amazing beach at Huntington Reservation on the West Side.

EC: What makes Cleveland different to other cities you’ve been through? 

GW: While I’ve lived in Cleveland my entire life, I’ve had a chance to visit many other cities throughout my travels. The people of Cleveland are truly what make the city special, and there’s no where like it anywhere I’ve traveled. It’s the people that inspire some of the best restaurants I’ve eaten at, art I’ve observed, businesses I’ve patroned, and everything in-between. The people are Cleveland’s secret sauce, and it’s the reason why there’s not other place like it.

EC: Cleveland has a passionate sports community. How does being a fan of Cleveland’s sports teams (or the city’s overall sports culture) enhance your experience of the city?  

GW: If you’re a Cleveland sports fan, it’s more than just the wins and losses and the rollercoaster history of each of the 3 professional sports teams. It’s about being with each other, rooting for the same thing, and always having faith that next year will be better than the last. We’re not spoiled with celebrating championships every year, but we also don’t have to be. The sports teams take on the personality of the city they play in: hardworking, gritty, creative and no matter the wins or the losses, they’re never defeated.

EC: How do you typically spend a weekend in Cleveland? Are there any local events or activities that you never miss?  

GW: A typical weekend for me in Cleveland starts with snapping photos around town early in the morning, but then translates to a cup of coffee at one of my favorite coffee shops around town – either Lekko, Duck Rabbit or Rising Star. From there, I’m picking up my fiance and our puppy Winston to grab some breakfast – either at Martha on the Fly, Juneberry Table or Le Petite Triangle in Ohio City. Yes, our lives revolve around food. From there, we’re either trying to catch a Guardians or Cavs game or trying to find a place to catch up on work, with The Cleveland Library, Edda Coffee or the Cleveland Arcade being some of our favorites. That normally takes us to dinner, where we’re stopping by Il Rione Pizza, Happy Dog, Prosperity Lounge or Cordelia before checking out a few our or favorite historic bars like Harbor Inn, Pride of Erin or Cloak and Dagger. Is the weather’s nice, we’ll also try to get our on the Towpath Trail or kayak the Cuyahoga River before ending the day at Mitchell Ice Cream. 

EC: What would you say to someone who is thinking about moving to Cleveland? What do you think they should know about the city and its people before making the move?  

GW: If you love amazing food, an incredible arts and music scene, and an chance to be a big fish in a Great Lake, Cleveland is for you. Not only is the area culturally rich and has many of the same ammenties as a larger city, but it’s also significantly more affordable then some of the same sized cities across the U.S. I think the most important selling point of Cleveland is it’s community. We support one another, care for each other, and all live it up and have fun whether the Browns win or lose each Sunday. Living in Cleveland isn’t just a one-dimensional experience, it’s a community that will impact your life in more ways than one.

EC: How do you celebrate Cleveland? 

GW: Through my work at Destination Cleveland and my love of daily photography, my goal is to help those who live in Cleveland, are from Cleveland or have never been to the city see the beauty in the every day. Whether its getting out and exploring or simply being proud of where you come from, I want to help spur Cleveland pride and support the amazing creatives, business owners and community members making a difference each day.

EC: What are some ways our audience can engage with you or your work? 

GW: Feel free to follow me on social media (@GabeWasylko on Facebook, Twitter/X, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok and Youtube) or shoot me an email at gabewasylko@icloud.com – I’m always down to talk cameras, Cleveland and support others in any way I can.  

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