Since 2003, I’ve called the North Collinwood neighborhood home. Back then, sunny days meant stopping by Sandy’s Frozen Whip for ice cream or taking my children to the park to enjoy family time. I remember grabbing quick dinners from nearby restaurants on busy evenings, picking up necessities at Walgreens, and almost daily visits to Dave’s Market; whether picking up a few groceries, grabbing a snack from the hot food section, ordering a cake, or simply exchanging smiles with the always-helpful staff.
Today, as I drive past these spots, the memories remain vivid, though many of these once-thriving spaces are now gone. One of the greatest losses for our community came in April 2022, when Dave’s Supermarket, a cherished neighborhood staple, closed its doors. Since then, residents have been left to travel to other neighborhoods for groceries and items we once found just around the corner.
A New Hope for Redevelopment
The neighborhood may soon see a light at the end of the tunnel. In November 2024, Cleveland City Council approved purchasing the 4.24-acre property for nearly $1.5 million, with $1.1 million covered by the city and $350,000 secured by Councilman Mike Polensek through community development block grant funds from the federal government. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.
“The redevelopment is a heavy lift,” Polensek acknowledged, adding, “but I remain cautiously hopeful.”
Legislation for the redevelopment of the former Dave’s site was sponsored by Councilpersons Polensek, Anthony Hairston, and Blaine Griffin. I reached out to both Councilman Griffin and Councilman Hairston for comment, but they were unavailable for a statement.
A representative from the Cuyahoga County Land Bank confirmed that they have not yet acquired the former Dave’s Market property, though they currently own the adjacent parcels. Once the property is transferred, the Land Bank will work with the city to clean up the site and potentially combine it with nearby lots, creating a larger six-acre development opportunity.
Polensek would like to see another grocery store at that site, but acknowledged that no guarantees can be made. “I’m open and willing to listen to ideas,” he said, mentioning potential uses such as mixed-use developments or housing. He also stressed that success depends on attracting more residents with disposable income to support local businesses and revitalize the area.
Residents Share Their Concerns and Hopes
For many residents, the closure of Dave’s was more than just the loss of a grocery store; it disrupted their routines and left a noticeable void in the community.
Ms. Thomas, a senior citizen living in the Euclid Beach Apartments across the street, shared how the loss of Dave’s has had a lasting impact on her routine and her experience in Collinwood. I spoke with her recently as she waited at a bus stop to head to Dave’s on Babbitt Road in Euclid for an emergency grocery purchase.
“Dave’s is truly missed,” Thomas said. “It was so convenient having a grocery store right across the street. For those of us who are seniors or handicapped, it made shopping much easier. If you needed something quick for the holidays or an emergency, especially on a rainy or cold day like today, you didn’t have to go far.”
Thomas also recalled how the store’s location, near Humphrey Park and Euclid Beach Park, made it convenient for residents to grab essentials and enjoy the area. “People would go to the park to grill, and if they needed something, the store was right there.”
Since the closure, seniors in Thomas’ building have relied on transportation services that Polensek helped arrange. The service offers rides to local grocery stores twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. However, as Thomas explained, “In between that time, you have to figure it out.”
The loss of Dave’s Market extends beyond Ward 8. It also served as the closest fresh food grocery store for much of South Collinwood, Bratenahl, and parts of Glenville, making its closure a blow to multiple nearby communities.
Looking Ahead: Revitalization and Renewal
Other residents have echoed Thomas’ concerns and shared their own hopes for the future.
“As a 20+ year resident of the area, I would like to see the Dave’s on Lakeshore be replaced with another well-established grocery store,” said Rhonda McLean. “When I moved here, we had a drug store (Walgreens), a grocery store (Dave’s), and two restaurants (McDonald’s and later Popeyes) in that area, all of which no longer exist. It’s frustrating to have to drive to another city for basic necessities like food and medicine. We do not want to lose our base of homeowners due to a lack of amenities.”
Stephanie Pope-Earley, a 21-year resident of the area, expressed similar frustrations. “The loss of Dave’s Supermarket has been a blow to a once-thriving community. Our neighborhood, just like many other inner-city communities, has become a food desert, lacking accessibility to quality, affordable food. For long-term residents like myself, we’ve experienced the loss of many businesses, and this is just another void added to our community. I feel especially bad for our seniors and those who lack quality transportation.”
Polensek is aware of these challenges and pointed to broader systemic issues that contribute to the neighborhood’s struggles. For instance, illegal dumping at the former Dave’s site has been an ongoing problem, adding to the urgency for redevelopment. He highlighted the need for citywide efforts to address abandoned properties, rebuild communities and attract businesses back to neighborhoods like Collinwood.
Hope for the Future
Despite these obstacles, the site’s potential redevelopment offers hope. The proximity to assets like the Collinwood Recreation Center, Humphrey Park, and the planned expansion of Euclid Beach Park by the Cleveland Metroparks makes it well-positioned for revitalization.
As plans take shape, residents and leaders alike see this as an opportunity to address long-standing issues while creating something new. A revitalized site could restore a sense of connection and provide much-needed amenities, services, or housing to attract more people to the area.
The neighborhood isn’t giving up hope. Residents believe Collinwood has a chance to write a new chapter, and the former Dave’s Market site could be the spark that brings it to life.
Stay Informed
For updates on the redevelopment of the former Dave’s Supermarket site, keep an eye on The Land for the latest developments. You can also contact Cleveland City Council for more information as plans move forward. The Collinwood community remains hopeful that this project will help bring much-needed resources and opportunities to the area.
We're celebrating four years of amplifying resident voices from Cleveland's neighborhoods. Will you make a donation to keep our local journalism going?
