Market study, more food trucks ID’d
With the Downtown Cleveland Heinen’s grocery store, 900 Euclid Ave., set to close at the end of this month after 11 years in business, city, county and civic leaders are undertaking a two-pronged response to fill the void in the short- and long-term.
With support from the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County governments, Downtown Cleveland, Inc. (DCI) today announced the expansion of its food-related public programming into the fall.
From May through September, DCI normally produces lunchtime food-truck events every weekday in different downtown locations. That series will be extended this year with food truck events to be held on Public Square on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays every week throughout October.
Additionally, DCI has committed to extending its new Public Square Farmers Market, originally scheduled through August, to continue through October. They are working with additional vendors to expand weekly fresh food options as well. The Farmers Market is SNAP/EBT eligible.
DCI provided links to downtown lunch offerings plus food truck events and the Public Square Farmers Market. Or, search for Downtown Cleveland Summer Events at the DCI Web site.
Often described as the “most beautiful grocery store in America” some have wondered about the economic viability of the former Cleveland Trust Bank rotunda’s use as a retail space. Speculation about its future include a lobby and amenity space for the attached hotel/apartment tower, a wellness center or for relocated Cuyahoga County offices (NEOtrans).
Looking to the long-term future in Downtown Cleveland, DCI has engaged Streetsense, a global consulting firm with expertise in retail market research and urban grocery operations.
Streetsense will conduct a market analysis in support of recruiting a new downtown grocer in addition to Constantino’s Market, 1278 W. 9th St., in the Warehouse District.
The expedited process will provide insight into the type of grocery operator that’s most appropriate for the downtown market as well as the ideal location(s) for a store.
DCI President & CEO Michael Deemer said he, the City of Cleveland, and Cuyahoga County look forward to engaging residents, workers, and other members of the downtown community that rely on walkable, easy access to groceries during this process.
“Ensuring access to food – both grocery items and lunch options – is a critical and immediate need for the downtown community,” he said in a written statement.
Most of the merchandise at the Downtown Cleveland Heinen’s grocery store isn’t in the opulent rotunda. Instead it is in the less-glamorous first floor of the attached building next door, 1010 Euclid (NEOtrans).
“We have an opportunity to identify new long-term grocery solutions that serve the evolving needs and habits of our neighborhood, and we are actively exploring every possible option,” Deemer added.
The study will run simultaneously alongside active outreach efforts by the project partners to attract another new grocery store to downtown to serve its 21,000 residents and tens of thousands of daily workers and visitors.
Deemer said Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne are seeking to bring together public, private, and community partners to advance a sustainable, market-driven approach to improving food access downtown.
In recent years, both men were frequent customers of the Heinen’s grocery store. For Bibb, he lived nearby in The Lumen apartment tower on Euclid. For Ronayne, his office at the Cuyahoga County Administration Building is practically next door on East 9th Street.
Ronayne said he is focused on securing reliable, healthy, and convenient lunch options within walking distance for downtown workers and residents. Bibb said he is, as well.
The entrance to the Downtown Cleveland Heinen’s store can be a bit difficult to find, and from the street it is not readily apparent as to whether the store is open or that even exists (NEOtrans).
“I am deeply disappointed by the closure of Heinen’s downtown location,” Bibb said upon learning of the closure. “For years, this store has been an important resource for downtown employees, residents, and visitors alike, and its presence has been a key part of the neighborhood’s continued growth and vitality.”
During Bibb’s tenure as mayor since 2022, the city has provided Heinen’s with more than $250,000 of incentives to support its downtown operations.
With the exception of the Euclid-East 9th store, Heinen’s operates only suburban stores in Northeast Ohio and Greater Chicago. It was criticized for not adapting its grocery offerings at the downtown store to satisfy an urban market which has different product desires, serving sizes and delivery needs.
Deemer said DCI will partner with downtown real estate interests in attracting an innovative grocer that understands the urban market and knows how to serve it.
“Retailers that succeed here will be the ones that adapt to how people live, shop, and spend,” Deemer added.
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