The Cleveland Browns' 2024 season home opener on September 8 against the Dallas Cowboys will open the floodgates for fans across the country to pour into the hard-knock soul of Downtown Cleveland.
For all of the football fanatics who want to discover and carry home Browns gifts that can’t be found in the team shop, we’ve gathered a few brick-and-mortar places for you to see brown and orange relics that you just won’t find anywhere else in the world.
Paw Print Apparel
When it comes to custom prints, Cleveland offers several must-visit spots for NFL fans in town for a game. From graphic tees to hoodies, sweats and hats, these stores offer a unique selection of Cleveland football gear that goes beyond typical team shop attire. The limited-edition and seasonal pieces, with their standout designs and creative stitching, are worth finding a way to bring home, no matter how tight your luggage space might be.
Established by two local guys, Mike Kubinski and Jeff Rees, the idea to "Spread Cleveland Pride, One T-Shirt at a Time” came to life for Cle Clothing Co. in 2008. It has now become a marquee hub for finding that perfect piece as you pass through the area.
The company’s locations in Downtown, Shaker Heights, Summit Mall, Crocker Park and online "wear-house" in Lakewood provide access to original Cleveland fan designs, primarily crafted by two full-time designers, including Kubinski, according to East 4th location General Manager Vincent Griffin. “When you look at the history of t-shirts in Cleveland, like Daffy Dan’s and some other companies, Cleveland likes to be proud of what it’s got,” Griffin said.
GV Art + Design, another “shirts and more” shop in the lineage of Cleveland pro football gear, was created by George Vlosich III, his brother Greg and their father, George Jr. It has encompassed over a decade of collaborations with Cleveland’s professional sports teams, leading to the group becoming a go-to source for passionate designs for you to wear. With locations now in Lakewood, Willoughby and Avon, GV services all Cleveland fans regardless of the sport.
Extra Yardage
If your family’s already texting you about bringing back more gear (because apparently, they don’t have enough), the quest for gameday goodies continues with fan favorites like GPS Sports Gallery in Rocky River, We Bleed Ohio in Downtown’s 5th Street Arcades and plenty more to keep them happy.
Dawg Pound Deadstock
You never know what you might find while shopping around for vintage cards and memorabilia. From signed Jim Brown and Bernie Kosar helmets to Nick Chubb and Baker Mayfield rookie cards, these historical items can’t be worn, and they’re usually guarded by some sort of protection.
While you’re in town for the big game looking for a generational “Kardiac Kids” picture, maybe some bobbleheads, life-size standees, or autographed posters, look no further than just beyond the lake. Cle Sports Cards and Collectibles Owner Ryan Fox said his store began selling a wide range of “anything collectible within the sports industry” in January. “We are loaded with Browns stuff,” Griffin said.
As a customer walking into his Broadview Heights store, Fox said one Browns item that would stand out as “grailed” or “deadstock” would be a team-issued, Myles Garrett signed helmet from the defensive end’s rookie year.
Kevin Weisenberg, owner of Coach K’s Sports Cards and Collectibles, said Nick Chubb, Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez memorabilia remain the most sought-after products by customers from all over the state. To add some creativity to his selection, Weisenberg also created his own packaging for sports card packs, available for purchase at his store. In some of these packs, you might just find that Denzel Ward rookie card you’ve been banking on.
As the final week before game one closes in, these business owners couldn’t be more excited to see new faces across generations entering their stores to buy memorable, rare and distinguished Browns articles that wouldn’t be the same without the Cleveland Browns name.
More Dawg-Pound Certified Spots