Why Ohio City's Beloved Plant Shop Changed Owners Overnight
Liam Cutwater · September 7, 2026
When health troubles forced Lori Switaj to say goodbye to Pots and Plants, Ohio City’s leafy staple began a new chapter.
Owning a hip plant shop sounds like a dream gig, but for Lori Switaj, her time at Pots and Plants in Ohio City took a dark twist. The shop—a green oasis for neighborhood decor fiends—recently swapped owners, and there’s a pretty wild reason why.
The Backstory: A Green Dream in Ohio City
When Lori opened Pots and Plants, her only plan was to keep it light, fun, and never lose more than $500 a month. Plants reminded her of her mom and brought genuine joy, both to her and the community. The shop thrived, attracting everyone from home stylers to local plant nerds.
- Neighborhood staple for houseplant lovers
- Known for quirky pots, botanicals and plant care advice
- Welcoming spot on bustling Lorain Avenue
When the Dream Got Dusty
Lori’s happiness started to wilt when she could barely catch her breath. Nagging bouts of pneumonia started cropping up, no matter what the Cleveland weather had in store. For years, she chalked up her chronic cough to minor asthma—but doctors noticed a pattern that didn't fit the usual script.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Enter the lung specialists. Blood tests, scans, and eventually the big reveal: Lori had allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), an extreme allergy to mold spores, specifically from the friendly neighborhood fungus Aspergillus. Turns out, spending all day elbow-deep in potting soil means being bathed in more mold spores than the average Clevelander.
- ABPA: Lungs allergic to mold found in plants and soil
- Symptoms: Persistent cough, shortness of breath, scary fevers
- Treatment: Immediate removal from the trigger environment
The only cure? Walk away from the houseplants, stat.
A Flash Sale and Cleveland-Style Plant Pandemonium
Lori’s exit needed to happen fast—doctor’s orders. She announced a 40% off everything blowout, expecting a little traffic. It turned into a wild spectacle; a line snaked down the block as Cleveland’s green thumbs stampeded to rescue (and maybe score) some deals. It was bittersweet—watching her community show up, but under such unexpected circumstances.
- Massive one-day clearance sale
- Staff (and a few stunned regulars) holding down the fort
- Ohio City got just a little bit wilder that week
What’s Next for Pots and Plants... and Lori
Though the shop continues under new faces, Lori is trading soil for self-care—and maybe a new retail adventure (she now owns about 60,000 pieces of jewelry, but that’s a story for another day). Her health is on the mend, but her lush houseplant jungle had to go. Well, almost all—she’s still got a couple tiny green survivors.
Why It Matters for Cleveland’s Plant Scene
Lori’s saga is one of those only-in-Cleveland stories: a neighborhood shop owner, a tight-knit community, and the hidden dangers of following your passion too literally. For plant shops across Cuyahoga County, it’s a reminder that even the fresh air business comes with risks few ever consider.
If you’re strolling Lorain Avenue, stop by Pots and Plants to see what’s next for this green institution—and maybe thank Lori for years of oxygen (and Ohio City style) she brought to the block.
Cleveland: even our plant stores have plot twists.