FAIRVIEW, Ohio — Cleveland Curiosities is a family-owned small business that sells a wide range of oddities and unique items. Located in Fairview, the shop is more than just a store — it’s a place of education and discovery. This is a behind-the-scenes look at Cleveland Curiosities.
Clement Kunkle and his wife, Hallie Wallace, opened the storefront seven years ago. At the time, Kunkle was 22 years old and full of ambition.
He was first introduced to oddities in his high school biology class when his teacher showed him a monkey skull. His interests at the time included entomology and bug pinning, but that class broadened his horizons.
After high school, Kunkle realized college wasn’t the right path for him. Instead, he decided to learn the art of taxidermy — a form of preservation and remembrance.
“[Taxidermy] is a hard and beautiful art to learn, but once you do it, it’s unbelievable,” Kunkle said.
Before opening the shop, Kunkle had already built a following through a previous business, which made the transition to a physical storefront smoother — though not without challenges. Running a store was new territory for the couple, and there was plenty of learning along the way. Despite the growing pains, they trusted their instincts that the business would succeed — and it did. Today, Cleveland Curiosities operates as a store, museum and educational center.
As owners, Kunkle and Wallace find plenty of rewards in their work.
“Being able to expose people to new and odd things they aren’t used to, [and] work with younger crowds or parents that aren’t familiar with it,” Kunkle said when asked about the highlights of his job. “Kids can see and hold these physical things instead of just viewing them digitally.”
Recently, the couple reached a major milestone — owning the entire building. With that goal achieved, they’re now focused on expanding their work with new oddity projects and bringing even more curiosities to the area.
