shakersquare

By Thomas Jewell, special to cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Beginning Thursday (May 30), Shaker Square kicks off its biweekly series of community events to be held over the summer on the historic retail destination’s green space.

“Summer on the Square” will then take place every other Thursday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. through the first week of August.

It will feature free-to-attend and family-friendly events that showcasing some of Cleveland’s finest artists, local businesses and community spirit.

“Guests of all ages are welcome to enjoy an evening of complimentary activities and are encouraged to visit the restaurants on Shaker Square,” a press release stated, further recommending bringing a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the live entertainment.

The nonprofit owners of Shaker Square are developing a new vision for the historic shopping district on the city’s East Side before selling it to a new owner.

Burten Bell Carr Development Inc. and Cleveland Neighborhood Progress are about one month into a visioning process “that will help inform us and potentially a new owner of what the community will support” at the square, said Briana Perry, senior vice president for Cleveland Neighborhood Progress.

The nonprofit owners of Shaker Square are developing a new vision for the historic shopping district on the city’s East Side before selling it to a new owner.

Burten Bell Carr Development Inc. and Cleveland Neighborhood Progress are about one month into a visioning process “that will help inform us and potentially a new owner of what the community will support” at the square, said Briana Perry, senior vice president for Cleveland Neighborhood Progress.

Already, the square’s owners have learned that many Clevelanders have close ties to the square, which comprises four, two-floor retail and office buildings clustered around the Regional Transit Authority’s East-Side rapid transit line.

What does the future of Shaker Square look like to you?

The Shaker Square Vision Plan team is coming to a local event near you! The project team attended the opening of the North Union Farmers Market on April 6 to talk to attendees about the process, and they will be attending events at and around Shaker Square all summer long!

The next upcoming event will be an open house called “Stroll the Square” on May 2nd from 4-7pm. We invite you to join in-person at the Square to let us know what you think the future of Shaker Square should be.

• Check out this Cleveland.com article that shares more about the Visioning Process for Shaker Square.
• Share your thoughts on the future of the square in this survey.

Recognizing the work of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and we want to acknowledge and celebrate the vital support and advocacy provided by the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC), located right here at the Square. CRCC’s Shaker Square location is one of seven offices across Greater Cleveland. At Shaker Square, CRCC provides therapy, child therapy, case management, and advocacy services.

CRCC’s home at the Square provides vital support in a welcoming and family-friendly environment that is crucially located near regular train and bus lines, in a safe, walkable, and accessible area. We are proud partners of CRCC in working together to create a safer community.

Learn More About the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Here

Progress in Motion: Capital Improvements Keep on Coming at Shaker Square

We’re thrilled to share news of upcoming capital improvements set to elevate your Shaker Square experience! From revitalized spaces to enhanced amenities, these developments promise to rejuvenate the Square, ensuring it remains a vibrant hub for the community to gather, shop, dine, and enjoy.

Some of the most recent investments include:

• A New Visitor’s Center
  • Work is nearing completion for our new Visitor’s Center! This multifunctional space will serve as a convenient hub for merchants and property management, as well as a welcoming environment for the community to relax and meet. We are anticipating an opening date of May 2nd.
• Carpentry
  • As part of ongoing restoration efforts, Shaker Square will see the refurbishment of seven door pediments, as depicted in this draft rendering. A skilled millworker will replicate these features with precision, ensuring they maintain the Square’s historic design.
• New Roofing
  • April showers can’t get us down! Did you know that we replaced all of the flat sections of Shaker Square’s roof last year? Check out this shot for a view of Shaker Square that you don’t get from the sidewalk.
• Painting & Facade Work
  • Shaker Square is undergoing a facelift with new painting and facade work, breathing fresh life into our cherished landmark.
• HVAC Installation
  • Our team is continuing work on installing new HVAC units across all of Shaker Square, with completion anticipated by June 2024.

Announcing a New Tenant!

We are excited to announce that Employment Specialist International, a staffing agency, is joining the Shaker Square family! You will be able to find them in the second-floor offices of Quad B.

See Full Shaker Square Directory 

Navigating Safety Together: Shaker Square’s Partnership with RTA

The Shaker Square Property Management team, FASS Realty Services, recently met with RTA Chief of Police Deirdre Jones to discuss opportunities for partnership in enhancing safety measures at the Square. Moving forward, FASS will include RTA in communications for safety concerns requiring police involvement and will coordinate with RTA’s licensed social workers to assist individuals facing homelessness or mental health challenges. RTA has also expressed interest in engaging with events at the Square and Chief Jones plans to join Merchant meetings to discuss RTA’s community engagement.

Additionally, FASS has requested periodic patrols by RTA around the Dave’s and Atlas parking lots. RTA’s Transit Ambassador Program will expand to Shaker Square to provide onboard and station assistance, enhancing community support.

Stay tuned for more updates as we work to make the Square safe and welcoming for all visitors!

Upcoming Events

Stroll the Square
Shaker Square
Saturday, May 2nd
4:00 – 7:00 PM

The Shaker Square Vision Plan team is coming to a local event near you! We invite you to join an open house called “Stroll the Square” on May 2nd from 4-7pm to let us know what you think the future of Shaker Square should be.

Learn More

North Union Farmers Market
Shaker Square
Saturdays
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

The North Union Farmers Market at Shaker Square is back! Join us for the outdoor markets from 8 am to 12 pm every Saturday. Remember, SNAP benefits are welcomed and matched (up to $25) at all market locations!

Learn More

Coming Soon: Summer at the Square
Shaker Square
Every other Thursday evening throughout the Summer

Save the date for the 2024 Summer Series on the Square! Follow our social media to learn more and to stay up-to-date on event details.

• May 30, 2024
• June 13, 2024
• June 27, 2024
• July 11, 2024
• July 25, 2024
• August 8, 2024

Please utilize the link below to submit any upcoming events in the neighborhood. Your contributions will help us keep our community informed.

Submit an Event!https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/L-IjoKY1Nz7zPCI9eIWZVg

The Agency Team visits Cleveland to begin the Shaker Square Vision Plan

After first acquiring Shaker Square and then beginning to stabilize it with millions of dollars of capital investments, the third phase officially kicked off in March. The Shaker Square Vision Plan began with a dynamic, two-day strategy session led by CNP and BBC. Our partners from the AGENCY, which was selected from a pool of eight firms by the Shaker Square Steering Committee, arrived in Cleveland and spent two days engaging with members of the Steering Committee, touring Shaker Square and the surrounding neighborhoods, and laying the groundwork for a year-long comprehensive planning process full of thorough engagement and planning.

The Shaker Square team will use future newsletters and social media to keep you and other community members informed about upcoming engagement activities, opportunities to contribute your thoughts and ideas, and key project milestones, partners, and updates. We can’t wait to share more with you!

• Read this Cleveland.com article that shares more about the Visioning Process for Shaker Square.
• Learn more about AGENCY’s partnership with Shaker Square

Spotlighting Woman-Owned Businesses on the Square

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible woman-owned businesses right here at Shaker Square.

From boutiques like Fashions by Fowler offering unique fashion finds to cafes like Psychopomp serving up delicious drinks, these entrepreneurs contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our community.

• Kamron Khan Photography 
• Shark&Minnow 
• Cleveland City Dance
• City Ballet of Cleveland 
• North Union Farmers Market
• Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival
• Fashions by Fowler 
• Psychopomp Cafe 
• Shaker Square Dry Cleaning & Tailoring 
• Pari House of Photography
• Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
• Mastermind Your Business

View the Full Shaker Square Directory 

Capital Improvements to Enhance and Improve Shaker Square

It is our commitment to keep you and other community members updated on the work we are doing to improve Shaker Square through ongoing capital improvements aimed at enhancing the overall experience for our community.

You can’t always see the improvements we are making, but some of the most recent investments include:

• Improved lighting: The recent completion of lighting enhancements, including LED installations, additional poles, and uplighting, alongside asphalt renovations behind Dave’s and CVS, marks significant progress.
• Roof repairs & replacement: We finished replacing and repairing sections of flat roof across all four quads of Shaker Square.
• Facade improvements: We completed comprehensive masonry, carpentry, and storefront facade work for Dave’s Grocery and the former T-Mobile space. Our team continues preparing additional carpentry in the former Balaton space so that it can be installed quickly this spring.
• HVAC Installation: Our team has ordered and started installing new HVAC units, with completion anticipated by June.

Celebrating Today’s Tenants and Welcoming New Neighbors

We’re thrilled to announce the growth of our Shaker Square community by celebrating those who sign new leases and are committed to the Square, as well as welcoming new tenants and their employees. So, we want to celebrate the following businesses:

• Daves Market, Quadant C
  • Dave’s Market has been a cornerstone of our community since 2005, and they have signed a five-year lease extension for their location at Shaker Square! Stay tuned to see improvements that will help retain current customers and attract new ones. A special thank you to Dave’s for their dedication to Shaker Square and our community!
• Kamron Khan Photography, Quadrant C
  • We have some new faces at the Square, including Kamron Kahn Photography! The new photography studio will be located across from Dave’s Market (in the former T-Mobile space) and is set to open by the end of March.
• Pari House of Photography, Quadrant B
  • Exciting news! Pari House of Photography is joining Shaker Square. They will utilize an office space in Quad B as a photography showroom, offering clients a display of their work and a convenient location to explore their services.
• Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Quadrant B
  • We’re pleased to announce that Burten Bell Carr (BBC), one of the joint owners of Shaker Square that leads community engagement, will be opening an office in Quad B to serve residents of the Greater Buckeye area, including Shaker Square and Larchmere. This strategic move underscores BBC’s dedication to fostering local connections while positioning them at the heart of Shaker Square’s vibrant community.
• Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival, Quadrant B
  • Exciting news for film lovers! The Greater Cleveland Film Festival, known for its annual festival hosted at Shaker Square, is setting up its offices in Quad B.

See Full Shaker Square Directory 

Coming Soon: Our New Visitors Center

Exciting developments are underway at Shaker Square with the imminent opening of a new Visitors Center, slated to open by the end of April.

This multifunctional space will serve as a convenient hub for merchants to provide leave-behinds and newsletters. Additionally, it will offer a welcoming environment for the community to relax, with seating and lounge areas available. With the capacity to accommodate small meetings of 10-20 people, the center will also provide essential services such as water and refreshments for Police and Fire personnel.

Moreover, it will serve as a central hub for property management, offering a shared office space for tenant meetings and ensuring a daily presence on the premises.

Focused on Safety

Ensuring the safety of our community is paramount, and we’re pleased to announce that the City of Cleveland and the Cleveland Police are in the final stages of integrating our video cameras at Shaker Square into their citywide FUSUS System. This collaboration should be finalized by the end of March, which will increase safety for visitors, customers, tenants, and everyone at Shaker Square.

Upcoming Events

North Union Farmers Market
Shaker Square
Saturdays
8 AM – 12 PM

Mark your calendars for the return of the North Union Farmers Market on Saturday, April 6 at Shaker Square. This outdoor market takes place from 8 am to 12 pm every Saturday. Remember, SNAP benefits are welcomed and matched up to $25!

Golden Montessori Plant Sale
Golden Montessori, Shaker Square
Saturday, March 30th
12 PM – 5 PM

Join Golden Montessori for their first annual plant sale fundraiser! They will have a variety of plants available for purchase including vegetables, seeds, herbs, and house plants (both common and rare). All proceeds go to supporting the school. Plant sale open til 5pm or until they run out! Learn more at the link below.

Learn More About Upcoming Events

Please utilize the link below to submit any upcoming events in the neighborhood. Your contributions will help us keep our community informed.

Submit an Event!

A Purpose-Driven Future

“We believe that a commitment to a sustainable and enduring vision can unlock Shaker Square’s latent potential. The future of Shaker Square must be driven by purpose and consensus.”

Shaker Square’s newest partner, AGENCY, shares its excitement about the visioning project. AGENCY is a women-owned, small business and certified DBE/WBE. They are partnering with both Cleveland-based urban design and engagement consultancy Seventh Hill and retail leasing and place management experts Streetsense. Both partners will support the efforts to reposition Shaker Square for a long-term, sustainable future.

• Cleveland.com article that shares more about the Visioning Process for SHSQ here.
• More about AGENCY’s partnership with SHSQ here.

Celebrating Black-Owned Businesses on the Square

Many of the stores at Shaker Square represent the dreams and investments of Black entrepreneurs. From leaders in education like Jill Evans who founded Goldenrod Montesorri to Akil Akins, founder of a trio of restaurants at Shaker Square, we would like to celebrate these businesses and entrepreneurs during Black History Month. Here are a couple highlights from the many of black-owned businesses on Shaker Square.

• Fashions by Fowler, Quadrant D
  • Founded by sisters Renay and Tracy Fowler, Fashions by Fowler has been a vibrant and long-standing Black-owned business at Shaker Square. As we celebrate Black History Month what better time to check out their apparel and accessories?
• Zanzibar, Quadrant A & Cleveland Breakfast Club, Quadrant B
  • You know Akin Africca as the visionary behind Zanzibar, but did you know that he’s also the founder and owner of The Breakfast Club and the newly opened Vegan Club? Whether you’re a regular or a newcomer, we invite you to experience the warmth and flavors of these amazing restaurants – from brunch through dinner there’s an option for everyone!
• Goldenrod Montessori, Quadrant C
  • Goldenrod Montessori, founded by Jill Evans, is a member of the Wildflower Network of schools. Wildflower is an ecosystem of decentralized Montessori micro-schools that support children, teachers, and parents. Their goal is to give all families the opportunity to choose high-quality learning environments.

See Full Shaker Square Directory

On Air: Sharing the Square’s Progress

Listen or watch our conversation with Ideastream as we discussed the past, present, and future of Shaker Square on Ideastream Public Media’s Sound of Ideas.

Join the Conversation

Safety on the Square

Thanks to the use of cameras and the collaborative relationship between Shaker Square’s ownership team, FASS Real Estate Services, and Cleveland’s 4th District Police, the individuals responsible for the holiday break-ins were promptly apprehended and detained.

Know of Any Upcoming Events?

Please utilize the link below to submit any upcoming events in the neighborhood. Your contributions will help us keep our community informed.

Submit an Event!

Important Contact Information

For Leasing and Property Management
FASS Real Estate Services
(866) 861-4761

For Media Requests
aj@sharkandminnow.com

For the Buckeye Woodhill Safety Collaborative
tallen-white@bbcdevelopment.org