Downtown's grocery problem is complicated
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Downtown Cleveland residents are distraught after the recent closure of the world's most beautiful grocery store.
Why it matters: Heinen's departure exposes a tension in downtown living. Residents desperately want a full-service supermarket, but many admit they travel to the West Side Market or the suburbs for their primary weekly shopping, due to parking and accessibility.
State of play: Consultants with Streetsense, who were retained by Downtown Cleveland Inc. to study the downtown grocery market, have their work cut out for them.
- The "placeshapers, brandbuilders, and storytellers" have experience in Northeast Ohio. Streetsense was hired by Downtown Cleveland Inc. three years ago for a downtown retail strategy and by Cleveland Neighborhood Progress for its reimagining of Shaker Square.
Driving the news: Dozens of residents gathered Tuesday for a listening session at the Cleveland Public Library that turned into a venting session.
Inside the room: Streetsense asked residents to imagine their ideal grocery experience, but residents were more interested in brass tacks.
- Could a new supermarket fit inside Tower City or the former Greyhound station, some wondered?
- Could the Fairfax Market model — with multi-level parking and apartments — work downtown?
The other side: Streetsense didn't have the answers. The consultants were there to ask questions. What did residents want?
- "Food," one attendee replied. "We just want food."
Reality check: Streetsense grocery specialist Alex Doherty said a population density of 20,000 residents per square mile is typically required to sustain a full-service grocer.
- Downtown is said to have about 20,000 residents spread across roughly 2.5 square miles — but that estimate is squishy.
What's next: Streetsense is collecting additional feedback through an online survey and expects to release recommendations by late September.
📬 Chime in: Do you live or work downtown? What would you like to see in a new downtown grocer? Email us at [email protected] with your thoughts.