Heinen's Downtown Cleveland Grocery Store Is Closing July 31

An icon of Downtown Cleveland is closing its doors.

Heinen's grocery store announced today that it would close its Downtown Cleveland location on July 31. The store, located in the historic Trust Building on Euclid Avenue and East Ninth Street, opened in 2015 and is the only full-fledged grocery store Downtown.

“This was a difficult decision, and we appreciate the efforts of our associates and the support of our customers to make this store successful,” wrote 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.”

Downtown’s Heinen’s is more than just a grocery store. The historic bank building, which was built in 1907, became a tourist attraction thanks to its epic rotunda ceiling and mix of neo-classical and Renaissance revival decor.  It was featured in The Avengers movie. Designed by George B. Post and with murals by Francis David Millet, it was considered an architectural marvel when it opened.

In 2024, the Downtown location reduced its footprint to one floor.

In its news release and social media posts today, the company said there would be no layoffs, with associates being offered roles at some of its 18 other locations. It also said no other stores would be impacted.

“As a Cleveland-based, family-owned company, our roots here run deep,” Jeff Heinen said. “While this chapter is coming to a close, our commitment to Cleveland and to serving customers across Northeast Ohio remains strong.”

“I am deeply disappointed by the closure of Heinen’s Downtown location,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb. “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 and vitality.”

He said that in his tenure as mayor since 2022, his administration has worked with Heinen’s and provided more than $250,000 of incentives to support its operations. Bibb, City Council President Blaine Griffin and Ward 5 Councilman Richard Starr, in whose ward the store is located, pledged to attract new retailers downtown.

“Our commitment to a vibrant downtown remains unwavering,” said Bibb. “We will continue working alongside our downtown stakeholders to expand access to high-quality food options and strengthen the services and amenities that residents, workers, and visitors deserve.”

E-mails sent in March and today to officials at Geis Companies, which owns the store’s downtown property, were not responded to prior to the publication of this article. Geis has offices in suburban Streetsboro and in The 9 tower it owns next door.

Most of the products in the Downtown Cleveland Heinen’s store are actually in a less-glamourous space — the ground floor of the neighboring 1010 Euclid Building (NEOtrans).

A real estate industry source in March told NEOtrans the store closing rumors were likely planted to help it in negotiations with Geis to extend its lease. No one confirmed the closure rumor back then so NEOtrans didn’t report it.

But that source, who spoke to NEOtrans on the condition of anonymity, today said Geis was aware of the possibility of this closure because the retailer had until Aug. 1 to extend its lease.

Heinen’s hadn’t informed Geis about its intentions until today. Given the lack of a response from Heinen’s in recent months, Geis reportedly began looking at other opportunities to lease the space but hasn’t yet secured any new tenants.

Downtown Cleveland Inc. (DCI) which promotes economic development in the central business district, also is looking at attracting another grocer downtown, be it at the former Cleveland Trust Bank Rotunda or another location.

The main entrance to the Downtown Heinen’s store is through the 1010 Euclid Building (NEOtrans).

DCI President & CEO Michael Deemer said that, since Heinen’s opened in 2015, downtown’s population grew to more than 21,000 residents, and there’s more than $5 billion in investment planned and underway and transformational development on downtown’s waterfronts.

“Retailers that succeed here will be the ones that adapt to how people live, shop, and spend,” Deemer added. “Ensuring our residents have access to affordable, convenient grocery options is a priority.”

“Downtown Cleveland, Inc. is moving with urgency to attract grocers and retailers that can serve residents, workers, and visitors with affordable goods and services,” Deemer continued. “Downtown remains a strong growth market and we are confident the right operators will want to be part of its future.”

In the meantime, he encouraged shoppers to visit Constantino’s Market on West 9th Street in the Warehouse District, a 20-year-old family-owned grocer that has built a loyal customer base.

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