Neighbors on Cleveland’s east side are asking questions about a plan to move a popular grocery store.
The Dave’s Supermarket at East 33rd Street and Payne Avenue is expected to close once their new flagship store, planned for East 61st Street and Chester Avenue, opens. Groundbreaking is anticipated for the end of the year.
At a community meeting Tuesday night at the Fatima Family Health Center set up by Ward 7 Councilman T. J. Dow, some neighbors raised concerns about how they would get to the new store.
“In our community, a lot of people don’t have cars, so the only way to get around is really to walk,” Sabrina Bennett said. “The elderly, the handicapped, what are these people going to do?”
Shirley Banks pointed out the RTA bus that runs crosstown on 59th Street only runs weekdays.
“We do not have a bus that runs crosstown on the weekend,” Banks said.
About 70 people attended the meeting, with representatives from Dave’s on hand to answer questions. They said the new store will be about 50,000 square feet, and will include a pharmacy, bank and space for community events.
They also said they plan to provide a twice-weekly shuttle from Asiatown to the new location.
“It’s better than nothing, but it has to be a little more involved than that,” Bennett said.
The Asiatown store is expected to stay open until the new one opens up. There’s no word on what will happen to the space, but Dave’s hopes to turn it into some sort of community center. Another grocery store is not expected to take over the space.
