The future of Cleveland’s city-owned grocery store is now up for community input.

The city is asking residents to complete a survey about what they want to see at Eastside Market, located near East 105th Street and St. Clair Avenue. The responses are expected to help officials evaluate proposals from potential new operators, Zainab Pixler, who coordinates local food systems work for the city’s public health department, told Signal Cleveland. 

Take the Eastside Market survey here.

The survey is the latest step in the city’s effort to reopen the market. Cleveland ended its lease with Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services, known as NEON, in April. The city said NEON had failed to keep up with utility bills and property taxes, violating its $1-a-year lease. The market has remained closed while the city searches for a replacement.

This is not the first effort to revive the building. The Eastside Market had been closed for more than a decade before reopening in 2019. Cleveland invested more than $900,000 in state and city money to repair the roof and parking lot and make other improvements.

This summer, the city asked businesses, nonprofits and partnerships to submit proposals for the site. At least 40% of the store must be devoted to fresh produce, dairy products and meat. The city also wants the operator to offer affordable food and buy from local farms and businesses when possible.

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But officials envision more than a traditional grocery store. The building includes a commercial kitchen, a demonstration kitchen and former clinic space. The city wants those areas used for programs such as cooking and nutrition classes, job training, support for local food entrepreneurs and health screenings.

The city previously said the most important factor in reviewing proposals would be how well an operator responds to community needs. Residents’ answers to the new survey will help define those needs.

Health Reporter (she/her)
I aim to cover a broad array of factors influencing Clevelanders’ health, from the traditional healthcare systems to issues like housing and the environment. As a recent transplant from my home state of Kansas, I hope to learn the ins-and-outs of the city’s complex health systems – and break them down for readers as I do.