Dave’s Markets to close Collinwood store in April
A locally based grocery store company, known for making significant investments in neighborhoods around Cleveland in recent years, is shuttering an East Side location on April 30, according to a statement from Cleveland City Hall about the closure.
Dave’s Markets, headquartered in Bedford, will close a location in Collinwood on Lakeshore Boulevard, where the store has been located for more than three decades, according to a joint statement from Cleveland City Councilman Michael Polensek and Mayor Justin Bibb regarding the city’s plan to develop a transportation strategy “to ensure residents in Collinwood continue to have access to groceries.”
Calling Dave’s Markets “staples in our communities,” the statement announced the closing and went on to say the administration is working closely “to minimize the impact of this major loss.”
“Over the past two years, shopping habits have changed and we understand how challenging it is to operate a business in this economic climate. We must continue to invest in Cleveland neighborhoods and develop strategies to eradicate food deserts,” Bibb said in a statement.
In a statement sent to Crain’s, Aaron Saltzman, an executive in store operations, marketing at Dave’s Markets, would not confirm or deny social media reports that the company that owns the building, Montlack Realty, raised the rent significantly on the property, which is located in a lower-income neighborhood.
“After 34 years of operation and with heavy hearts, Dave’s has made the difficult decision to close the Euclid Beach store at 15900 Lakeshore Boulevard,” the statement said. “All associates at the Euclid Beach location will be offered continued employment at nearby Dave’s stores. Dave’s operates a store at 22501 Shore Center Plaza, just 10 minutes east up Lakeshore Boulevard from its Euclid Beach location. Dave’s is committed to working collaboratively with the City of Cleveland and the community to help ensure those in need of transportation to Shore Center have an option free of charge. The company will continue to proudly operate seven stores in the City of Cleveland and appreciates its strong relationship with the city and communities it serves.”
A message was left for Montlack regarding the Collinwood store Monday, March 28, but as of 2 p.m. the company had not responded.
Dave’s Markets has 14 locations in Northeast Ohio, eight of which (including the Collinwood store) are in Cleveland. The company recently built a 60,000-square-foot grocery store at the corner of East 61st Street and Chester Avenue in Midtown. That project received city tax breaks.
“As a Dave’s shopper myself, I am disappointed and saddened by the closure of Dave’s in Collinwood. They have been a fixture on Lakeshore Boulevard for over 30 years and many of our seniors and residents have depended on them for basic groceries. It’s clear we must collectively develop a strategic economic plan to attract and keep full-service grocery stores in our neighborhoods, particularly in Cleveland’s northeast side,” Polensek said in the statement.
