Work to rebuild Cleveland’s East Side Market is officially underway.
The $3.5 million renovation will offer a full service grocery store and medical clinic in the heart of the Glenville neighborhood, which hasn’t had a new grocery store in nearly a decade.
The area is known as a “food desert.” Lots of drive-through’s, but not many healthy options. Until now.
“We realize in order for our residents to make healthy choices they have to have healthy options available to us,” said Karen Butler of Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services.
A non-profit plans to renovate the shuttered building that sits on the corner of East 105th street and St. Clair.
The East Side Market has sat empty since 2007, leaving a gaping hole in the neighborhood.
“I think it’s indeed a privilege to see the East Side Market to give inner city people a chance to shop closer, instead of going to the west side,” said Glenville resident Deborah Johnson.
Mazzulo’s Fresh Market will anchor the complex. It is being financed through public and private dollars.
The grocery store is set to open by the end of the year and create 75 new jobs.
