Cleveland’s historic Shaker Square welcomes back Luchita’s after 20 year hiatus

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Cleveland19 covers Luchita's long awaited re-opening in Shaker Square.
Luchita returns to the country’s second oldest mall, a shopping district building its future by drawing on its past… a past that needed a little work.
“We have stabilized the historic structures of the Square and have a fantastic plan, ‘New Era for a Cleveland Classic’ is what we call it,” said Tania Menesse, CEO of Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, one of the Shaker Square’s owners.
Summer on the Square: Music, dance, and a safari

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FreshWater Cleveland covers recent summer programming at Shaker Square;
FreshWater Staff
Organizers of the free Summer music and events series at Shaker Square, and the staff at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP) want folks to come to the Square are offering a selection of entertainment and fun for every age this week, beginning today, Thursday, July 31, with live music from flamenco guitarist Victor Samalot.
On Saturday, Aug. 2, at the North Union Farmers Market, which runs from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Annette Ellis will host a free Kids’ Dance Class from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Get ready to move, groove, and have a blast!
Things are going to get a bit wild at Shaker Square on Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., when reptile enthusiast, nature lover, and expert animal handler Outback Ray and his family team arrive with some of his amazing creatures for a Safari on the Square.
Summer on the Square: Yoga all weekend and Christmas in July

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FreshWater Cleveland covers recent summer programming at Shaker Square;
FreshWater Staff
Organizers of the free Summer music and events series at Shaker Square, and staff at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP) want folks to come to the Square this weekend and get moving with two free sessions of Yoga on the Square – Then, on Wednesday, July 30 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., it’s Christmas in July! Next week, The Shaker Square elves are bringing a little holiday magic.
Summer on the Square: Yoga with Brandi Dobbs, Sax with Jay Harmon

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FreshWater Cleveland covers recent summer programming at Shaker Square;
FreshWater Staff
Organizers of the free Summer music and events series at Shaker Square, and staff at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP) invited everyone to come to the Square, Thursday, July 17, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., on the green in front of Dave’s Market to hear musician Jay Harmon—the one-man saxophonist sensation! It was an evening of smooth jazz, soulful R&B, and classic old‑school vibes, all delivered live by a true Cleveland icon.
Summer at Shaker Square: An extraordinary evening of guitar with Will Cheshier

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FreshWater Cleveland covers recent summer programming at Shaker Square;
FreshWater Staff
After a successful launch to its free Summer music and events series on Shaker Square, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP) will host singer, songwriter, and guitarist Will Cheshier this Friday, July 11 for a laid-back summer evening of live music on the lawn outside Dave’s Market from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Free spirit: Cleveland Neighborhood Progress hosts free summer events at Shaker Square

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FreshWater Cleveland covers recent summer programming at Shaker Square
FreshWater Staff
Cleveland Neighborhood Progress discusses redevelopment of Shaker Square

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Cleveland Neighborhood Progress discusses redevelopment of Shaker Square
David Greenberg, WKYC
3News’ David Greenberg spoke with Cleveland Neighborhood Progress’ Tania Menesse about the redevelopment of the Shaker Square area.
New restaurant soft opens on Shaker Square

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New restaurant soft opens on Shaker Square
Kaylee Olivas, News 5 Cleveland
CLEVELAND — A breath of fresh air is felt across Shaker Square Tuesday night as a new restaurant with a familiar face soft opened.
In January, after years of planning and critical repairs, the public got a look at what’s in the works for the re-envisioned Shaker Square, which was purchased in 2022 by two nonprofit organizations — Cleveland Neighborhood Progress and Burten, Bell, Carr Development Inc.
Retailers and neighbors have been watching firsthand as renovations gave a new life to the historic but aging shopping center. Recent improvements include new HVAC systems, new roofs, outdoor lighting, awnings, light fixtures and other updates to address 20 years of delayed routine maintenance.
Shaker Square launches vision to attract restaurants, retail business

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Shaker Square launches vision to attract restaurants, retail business
Staff Reports, Cleveland Jewish News
Shaker Square recently released a request for proposals for its new vision, titled “A New Era for a Cleveland Classic,” aimed at attracting a mix of storefront tenants.
“Shaker Square has benefited from great momentum recently, and that brings us to a critical moment where it’s vital for us to conduct a comprehensive search for a lasting retail mix in line with what the neighborhood is looking for,” Tania Menesse, president and CEO of Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, co-owner of Shaker Square with Burton, Bell, Carr Development, Inc., said in a news release. “Through this initiative we’re truly casting a wide net, making the case to business owners that Shaker Square is the place to be.”
Luchita's to Reopen at Shaker Square this Summer

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Luchita's to Reopen at Shaker Square this Summer
Douglas Trattner, Cleveland Scene
For many Northeast Ohioans, July 5, 2022, was a dark day in dining. That was the day Luchita’s Mexican Restaurant closed after a remarkable 40-year run. Family matriarch Maria de la Luz Galindo opened the restaurant in 1981, making it one of the first Mexican restaurants on Cleveland’s west side.
Since the closure, there have been rumblings about reviving the iconic local brand, but the right time, place and opportunity have not yet come together for the Galindo family. But now they have, says Reynaldo Galindo.
For the past six months, Galindo and partners Jorge Sierra and Elisa Maria Galindo have been reshaping the former Balaton space at Shaker Square into Coyoacán, a venture that was to combine a fast-casual Mexican eatery with bar and microbrewery serving regional Mexican food. After much consideration, the plan has shifted to dedicate the second space to a new Luchita’s.