Revolution comes full circle as Cleveland’s most storied music landmark prepares to house an entirely different kind of culture-shifting retail experience. The Record Rendezvous building at 300 Prospect Avenue East, where the term “Rock and Roll” was first coined, opened August 1st as Klutch Cannabis’s flagship dispensary after four decades of vacancy.
The transformation represents more than simple repurposing. Record Rendezvous established Cleveland as the “Cradle of Rock and Roll” when it opened in 1908 as one of the world’s first stores selling rock records. The venue revolutionized music retail by introducing browsing bins and listening booths, allowing customers to sample before purchasing.
Now Klutch aims to revolutionize cannabis retail in the same historic space.
Klutch is positioned to transform the cannabis shopping experience within these culturally significant walls that once changed music history.
A $1.6 million renovation brought the four-story, 16,609-square-foot building back to life using Ohio’s Historic Preservation Tax Credits. The restoration preserved key architectural features while adding modern functionality. The project signals broader downtown revitalization efforts targeting neglected structures on Lower Prospect.
Klutch’s design pays deliberate homage to the building’s musical legacy. The lobby features a massive mural and bold yellow “Cleveland” script at the front desk, directly referencing the former record store.
Exterior signage mirrors the original 1940s Record Rendezvous styling. Inside, curated vinyl displays, music memorabilia, and vintage TVs create an immersive nostalgic experience enhanced by red neon signage and black leather seating. Interactive kiosks throughout the space provide customers with detailed product information and a self-guided shopping experience.
The location offers Klutch’s complete product line, including exclusive drops and limited releases positioned as a “world-class retail experience” in Cleveland’s Entertainment District. The dispensary will feature a dedicated Cookies Corner through Klutch’s exclusive partnership with the renowned cannabis brand.
Beyond commerce, the flagship serves community cultural purposes. Leadership frames the project as honoring Cleveland’s “spirit of creativity, innovation, and community” while integrating music and cannabis cultures.
The reopening transforms a vacant eyesore into an active community hub, much like Record Rendezvous served as a gathering place for music enthusiasts.
The timing proves strategic for Cleveland’s evolving identity. The city already claims music heritage through the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Adding premier cannabis retail strengthens Cleveland’s position as both cultural and cannabis destination.
Historic photographs and themed decor throughout the space honor dual legacies while attracting foot traffic to previously abandoned downtown real estate. The company has invested significantly in child-resistant packaging to ensure product safety and compliance with state regulations.
The grand opening represents successful historic preservation meeting modern cannabis retail innovation.
