Meijer to open small-format store in Cleveland’s Fairfax neighborhood

Meijer has its eyes set on a brand-new grocery store.

Planned for Cleveland’s innovation district, the market will be located in an apartment complex that has officially broken ground.

Positioned to help revitalize and transform the neighborhood, the project also aims to create a healthier community by addressing food insecurity, supporting economic development and providing a new shopping destination for customers from surrounding neighborhoods, the company said.

[Read More: Meijer opens small-format Rivertown Market in Detroit]

“Meijer is committed to our communities, which is why we are so excited to continue our investment in the city of Cleveland with the addition of Fairfax Market,” Meijer president and CEO Rick Keyes said. “After the success of our four other neighborhood markets, we look forward to providing this great new store to residents of the Fairfax and surrounding neighborhoods.”

As part of the $500 million Cleveland Innovation District, the new Fairfax Market mixed-use project will be located on the corner of East 105th Str. and Cedar Ave. The $52.8 million development will include a 40,000-sq.-ft. grocery store by Meijer and 196 apartment units.

“I appreciated that from the start, Dr. Mihaljevic understood the importance of Cleveland Clinic’s role in the neighborhood and that residents had many areas that needed to be addressed,” said councilman Blaine A. Griffin. “The discussion about bringing a supermarket to the neighborhood started early, recognizing the need of the longtime Fairfax residents.”

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Like other small-format stores by Meijer, the Fairfax Market will focus on offering customers a shopping experience that includes an assortment of fresh food, artisan groceries and other national brand products. This location will be the first small-market format for the retailer outside of Michigan.

“Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation, FRDC, is excited to welcome Meijer to the Fairfax community. The project aligns with the vision for Innovation Square, a mixed-use, mixed-income walkable area along Opportunity Corridor,” said FRDC executive director Denise VanLeer.

“The store will occupy a gateway corner to the Fairfax neighborhood and help to spur additional development. The location allows residents easy access to fresh food and provides walkability while activating Cedar Avenue. The store provides new employment opportunities and helps to spur additional development. The development repositions underutilized and underperforming land through strategic partnerships and is proximate to growing economic hubs, which is a goal of the Innovation Square Neighborhood Plan.”