With much fanfare, Heinen’s opened a store in the Cleveland Trust Building in 2015. Sadly, the Ohio based chain closed that store on July 31st. The building first opened as a bank in 1907 and featured a massive rotunda and beautiful architecture. For over 10 years, the chain has been working with the city to make the location financially viable. Those efforts included $250,000 in incentives from the city. “This is a difficult decision, and we appreciate the efforts of our associates and the support of our customers to make this store successful,” said Jeff Heinen, Co-President of Heinen’s. “We wish it would have been a more favorable outcome. Despite ongoing adjustments, the store did not reach the level of long-term sustainability needed to continue operating”. “As we navigated the challenging economic realities of operating a grocery store in a downtown retail environment over the last decade, we recognized the need to reduce operating costs”.
The city of Cleveland responded as Mayor Justin Bibb was quoted, “I am deeply disappointed by the closure of the Heinen’s downtown location. For years, this store has been an important resource for downtown employees, residents, and visitors alike, and its presence has been a key part of the neighborhood’s continued growth”. Heinen’s operates 23 locations including 19 in the Cleveland area and 4 in Chicagoland.
(847) 277-9500