On a cold Saturday afternoon at West 25th and Clark Avenue, neighbors drifted in and out of a newly renovated storefront as DJ Exclusive played inside and tacos from Chimichanga Street Food were served. Over 35 people stopped by during the grand opening of Be at Ease Convenience Store, curious about the reopening. For owner Christopher Henderson, the reopening marked more than a renovation. It’s the launch of a different business model.
Be at Ease operates under what Henderson calls a “Spending With Purpose” structure — a system in which a negotiated percentage of every dollar spent in the store is directed to a local nonprofit partner.
“Communities spend money every day,” Henderson said. “The question is whether that money leaves the neighborhood or stays to strengthen it.”
In this model,nonprofit partnerships rotate every 90 days. Organizations in discussion include Seeds of Literacy, which provides free tutoring and workforce readiness support for adults pursuing high school equivalency credentials, and Community of Hope, a Cleveland nonprofit that supports young adults transitioning out of foster care by building mentor teams and providing guidance around housing, employment and long-term stability.
“Neighborhood businesses are part of the community ecosystem, and this model shows how a local business can see customers as neighbors, not merely consumers,” said Todd Seabrook, communication and development director for Seeds of Literacy.
“We’re looking forward to finalizing the partnership,” said Denise Eaddy, director of operations for Community of Hope. “For a small organization like ours, this kind of support can make a real difference.”
Each partnership is outlined through a memorandum of understanding that specifies percentage agreements and expectations. Henderson said the goal is to create a consistent funding stream that operates alongside traditional fundraising efforts — particularly at a time when many nonprofit organizations are facing tighter budgets. The model itself is not entirely new, but Henderson believes it has room to expand.
“This shouldn’t just be a West Side thing,” he said. “If it works, it can be citywide. It can grow.”
History and renovations
The store underwent a full interior renovation before reopening. The updated space is brighter and more open than its predecessor. Henderson said the ownership team shares cultural and neighborhood connections that inform how the store operates and engages customers.
Historically, neighborhood corner stores have functioned as more than retail outlets. In many communities, they operated as informal gathering points — places where relationships were built alongside transactions. Henderson said Be at Ease aims to maintain that sense of connection while formalizing its community investment. Customer service, he added, is central to that approach.
“There’s zero tolerance for disrespect,” Henderson said. “People deserve dignity.”
In addition to standard convenience items, Be at Ease plans to introduce hot food offerings within the next 30 to 45 days, pending city approvals. Henderson is also in discussions with local Black urban farmers about potentially sourcing fresh produce in the future.
For the model to succeed long-term, Henderson said consistency will be key — both in business operations and in community participation.
“If we do what we’re supposed to do, and we operate with integrity, I don’t see why it can’t work,” he said.
Be at Ease Convenience Store is located at 3203 West 25th Street. Whether the model proves replicable may depend on sustained neighborhood support — and on whether small, everyday purchases can collectively function as long-term investment.
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