Fresh fruits and vegetables are difficult to find in a food desert, but thanks to the opening of Pure Supermarket, the middle of the Bellaire-Puritas neighborhood has been nourished (NEOtrans). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.
Walgreens redo boosts Bellaire-Puritas
When a pharmacy closes, what was a neighborhood asset often becomes a liability, and sometimes a long-term one that drags it down. But the reverse is happening at the corner of West 130th Street and Bellaire Avenue on Cleveland’s West Side.
In February, a former Walgreen’s store at 4281 W. 130th reopened as a Pure Supermarket — a new, independent grocer opening in an underserved area, which technically qualifies as a food desert. The nearest grocery store is a mile walk away because Interstate 71 cuts off the heart of the Bellaire-Puritas neighborhood from it.
The 1.7 acres of land and the vacant 13,428-square-foot drug store was bought in 2024 by Pure Supermarket Inc. for $1.6 million, county records show. Pure Supermarket is a company started by the Hussain Family which owns other gas stations and stores in Greater Cleveland. Complete Construction of Sandusky renovated the store.
“It’s been 17 months, getting Pure Supermarket to where it is today,” said owner Saleem Hussain. “From the preliminary work, to the opening, to the day today hasn’t been easy. But what’s made it worth it has been the constant support and acceptance I’ve received from the community. I’m truly grateful.”
On Feb. 2, community leaders cut the ribbon on the new Pure Supermarket on West 130th Street (Vori).
The Middle Eastern market offers a wide variety of fresh produce, a dedicated meat department specializing in halal, and a hot kitchen area. It is open every day from 8 a.m. to 12 midnight, which is later than most chain grocers.
Hussain said he strives for a clean store that is organized and with friendly staff. He also uses Vori point-of-sale technology and inventory management software designed for independent grocers.
“One of the things I’ll be focusing on moving forward is establishing a proper connection with the people within the community, to take them like family,” he added. “Systems like Vori give me a chance to do that because I’m not so busy worrying about the tedious stuff. It basically handles that on it’s own.”
The size of the new Pure Supermarket is evident in this view as is the large inventory of merchanise available to customers (Vori).
He also said he hoped his investment in repurposing the vacant drug store into a supermarket would help catalyze broader neighborhood reinvestment. The early returns are coming in and they’re looking positive.
Adrian Lamb is expanding Sharper Image Barbershop and Suites from its storefront at 12702 Bellaire Ave. to a new location at 4651 W. 130th at the corner of Carrington Avenue.
There it will retrofit an existing building with interior work that includes extending the existing plumbing and electrical services from one area of the building to another to add electrical outlets and hand sinks for the barbershop’s activities.
Jobs and services are provided at the new Pure Supermarket which fills a void in the neighborhood’s grocery offerings (Vori).
In the other direction, the First District Police station, 3895 W. 130th, is getting renovated including with solar panels added to its rooftop by Leopardo Energy of Chicago. Cost of the investment is $87,316, according to city records.
Leopardo is similarly renovating other police stations in Cleveland and other civic buildings in Greater Cleveland, including Cleveland Heights’ city hall.
A more controversial development may be happening at 4686 W. 130th, starting with the demolition of an existing, 6,400-square-foot frame building at the southwest corner of West 130th and Bennington Avenue. The two-story structure is in bad shape.
This condemned structure at the southwest corner of West 130th Street and Bennington Avenue is due to be demolished with a larger mixed-use building proposed in its place. But Councilman Brian Kazy and the local development corporation doubted the owner had the ability to realize his plans (Google).
Despite the city’s Building Department condemning the building, both Ward 13 Councilman Brian Kazy and the Jefferson-Puritas West Park Community Development Corp. opposed the demolition, blaming the property owner for the building’s decay and doubting his ability to deliver the project.
At its April 2 meeting, the City Planning Commission approved the demolition, saying that it is not for the commission to determine whether a project will succeed or not before approving its plans, including demolitions to make way for them
Khalil Ewais, owner of Pioneer Engineering, is leading the redevelopment project in which he proposes to build a new two-story, wood-frame and brick structure measuring about 20,400 square feet. The first floor would have three retail storefronts plus a daycare facility. The second floor is to have four apartments.
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