Meijer Fairfax Market made history by becoming the first full-service grocery store to open in the Fairfax community in decades when it opened on Tuesday, January 16. Before that, residents like Andrea Catlin had to drive as far away as Dave’s Market in Midtown or Cleveland Heights to get fresh produce and meat.
“I’ve lived here for over 20 years, and I can’t remember the last time we had a store within walking distance,” said Catlin, owner of Catlin Naturals, one of the local businesses whose products are sold at Fairfax Market. “I am very excited to have a major business in the neighborhood; this is wonderful. Being a resident and not having a grocery store nearby has been very frustrating, but being able to run out to pick up something quickly is refreshing. I can walk here, too.”
For those who may not be familiar with the Fairfax community, it encompasses Euclid Ave. to the north, Woodland Ave. to the south, E. 71st St. to the west and E. 105th St. to the east. Meijer is a stone’s throw from Cleveland Clinic’s main campus.
On a recent visit, the 40,000 square-foot glass and metal structure located at 2190 E. 105th St. had workers stocking shelves and freezers with frozen seafood, fresh beef and chicken. There was also a tower of peppers in red, green, orange, and yellow hues, and a comfortable 54-seat cafe. Unlike many other grocery stores, Meijer has a warehouse vibe. The eclectic design features coolers trimmed in black as well as brown and gray faux wood panels that align neatly above the meat cooler and beer and wine area. Artistic signage pays tribute to the community by using street names. The high ceiling, exposed ductwork and mechanicals, and wide aisles make for an open, airy store that allows for easy maneuvering around other shoppers.
Above the Fairfax Market within the five-story building is the Medley, a 199-unit apartment complex offering seven floor plans. The Medley offers studio suites and one and two bedroom apartments. Studio apartments are 441 to 533-square-feet and rent for $1,363–$1,755. One bedrooms range in size from 611 to 864-square-feet and rent for $1,583–$2,400. Two bedrooms are 1,034 square feet with prices starting at $2,700. Fairmount Properties owns the building. Village Green manages the units. Adjacent to the store is a four-story garage with indoor and outdoor parking spaces for apartment dwellers and customers. Store patrons can park on the first floor of the structure for free for 90 minutes. The second, third and fourth floors are for the apartment tenants who pay $150 per month.
Angela Smith, a spokesperson for the Cleveland Clinic, said the project had multiple partners. She said a joint venture owned by the Clinic and Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation owns the land, while Fairmount Properties developed the project including the apartments. Finally, Meijer is the operator of the grocery store and leases it from the developer.
Store director Alan Jordan sees the store opening as a chance to unite the community. They are making a connection between the medical community and neighbors, he said.
“The impact that we’re hoping to make is to be a gathering place for the community in many different ways,” he said. “We will offer a fantastic assortment of fresh, local, and affordable products for the community to shop and purchase. But we’re also looking to be a hub for the community, a place to learn, a place to gather to discover new things, a resource for the community, and not just a place to shop.”
To that end, Jordan said, the store plans to partner with local groups to offer lessons in healthy shopping and cooking for kids and adults. The store has over 150 local vendors and over 2,000 local items, he said.
Saucy Coffee is one of several local vendors who offer prepared foods at the store. Customers can grab a coffee or bite to eat to go or grab a table in the cafe. Saucy Coffee, a spin-off of Saucy Brew Works, serves a variety of coffees and sandwiches. Customers will also find rotisserie chicken, fried chicken, and macaroni and cheese in the store from Mac Attack. According to a news release, a more extensive selection of prepared foods will be offered soon.
Blaine Griffin, Cleveland City Council president and Ward 6 council member (where Fairfax Market resides), said the process of bringing the store to fruition started years ago when he invited Cleveland Clinic CEO Dr. Tom Mihaljevic and Meijer president and CEO Rick Keyes to tour the neighborhood. This led to conversations with residents and area leaders who were clamoring for a grocery store. Cleveland Clinic and the City of Cleveland joined forces with Meijer to move forward with the project, which broke ground in December 2021.
According to an email from Cleveland City Council, the city invested more than $11 million in loans and grants in the project and Griffin put $200,000 of Ward 6 discretionary funding into it. In 2021, the total project, including the 90 new apartments on the upper levels, was expected to cost approximately $52.8 million, but was expected to increase due to the rise in construction costs.
“When we walked the neighborhood more than a year ago, the residents were very excited about getting a high-quality supermarket,” Griffin said. “And now that day is upon us. Opening this grocery store in the historic Fairfax neighborhood was something I first discussed with Dr. Mihaljevic several years ago, soon after he started at the Clinic, and we took a walk around Fairfax discussing the needs of the residents. Addressing the food dessert in the community was one of those needs, and I couldn’t be more excited and thankful. It benefits the long-time Fairfax residents. We want to welcome new residents into the neighborhood and the city, but we also must make sure that current residents aren’t overlooked. This project is just the start of many exciting developments in Fairfax.”
Meijer Fairfax Market is the fifth store the company has built in an area where the community was considered a food desert. The other four (all in Michigan) are Grand Rapids, Lansing, Royal Oak, and Detroit, Erin Cataldo, a spokesperson for Meijer, said.
Catlin, founder of Catlin Naturals Luxury Body Care, said the opportunity for jobs in the community is enormous. It is also an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their goods. Catlin proudly showed off her products on an end cap at the market during a recent visit.
Meijer Fairfax Market is located at 2190 E. 105th St. and is open daily from 6 a.m.–10 p.m. The market also accepts SNAP, EBT and WIC payments. For more information, visit the store’s website or call (216) 628-7301.
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