News

In the midst of restoring buildings, grounds and streets around historic Shaker Square, the nonprofit ownership on Saturday (Aug. 19) will celebrate the one-year anniversary of acquiring the landmark commercial and transportation hub.

Running from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., this year’s third and final monthly installment of “Summer on the Square” features an “Art, Community and Anniversary” theme, along with a young foodie attraction that is certain to be a big draw as well.

Cleveland Neighborhood Progress and Burten, Bell, Carr Development Inc., the owners of Shaker Square, have consolidated property management and leasing services with FASS Real Estate Services (FASS). Effective August 4, 2023, this move will ensure that Shaker Square tenants, store patrons, and visitors continue to benefit from quality services and activities.

This marks a smooth transition of property management service from CRESCO Real Estate to FASS, a boutique real estate brokerage firm specializing in property management, real estate sales and leasing, real estate consulting, and commercial real estate and development. FASS’ corporate offices are located at 3705 Lee Rd, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120.

FASS has provided leasing services for the Square since August 2022. FASS is a minority certified and led firm. The team is led by Akil Hameed, Broker/Owner of FASS Real Estate Services. The FASS team is committed to working with each of Shaker Square’s tenants to make this historic destination the place to be in Cleveland.

Over a year-long partnership with CRESCO leading up to this transition, critical work around the Square got underway regarding maintenance, repair, and addressing safety requests from tenants and customers. During this time, a capital needs assessment was completed that outlines the Square’s infrastructure priorities, including roofing, carpentry, windows, landscaping, HVAC, electrical, and other needs. With this capital needs assessment in hand, CNP, BBC, and FASS are moving forward with a strategic plan for investing in and improving Shaker Square for tenants, customers, and residents.

Summer on the Square

Thank you to our neighbors and friends for making the July “Summer on the Square” event a success! The Square became a mini-adventure park complete with mini golf, a surf simulator, magic tricks, crafts, music – and it even transformed into a bubble wonderland thanks to everyone joining in the fun! View more photos on the Shaker Square Facebook page.

We look forward to continuing the summer fun at the next Summer on the Square event on Saturday, August 19. We will see you then!

Revitalizing the Square

Capital improvements are underway at Shaker Square.

The lighting upgrades to the parking lots are complete, and we are working with the contractor and neighbors to optimize brightness.
Work currently happening includes:

• Storefront carpentry and masonry repairs,
• Roof replacements,
• Parking lot resurfacing, and
• Exterior painting.

The next two work items to bid are new HVAC units and storefront awnings.

Support the Square

Join Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP) and Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc. (BBC) for a reception supporting the future of Shaker Square. The event will support a community visioning process that will provide a blueprint for the next owner of the Square, signage, ongoing programming, placemaking (playscape, murals, holiday lighting) and landscaping.

The gathering will be an opportunity to get a comprehensive update, not just on the Square but about the work that CNP and BBC are doing to strengthen the surrounding neighborhoods.

Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Program begins at 6:30 p.m.

Edwins Too
13220 Shaker Square
Cleveland, Ohio 44120

Sponsorship & Tickets
The Square Level – $10,000
The Quadrant Level – $5,000
The Canopy Level – $2,500
The Storefront Level – $1,000
Individual ticket – $250

RSVP
Contact Karen Connavino at (216) 534-3343 or karen@balodisgroup.com

Contribute Online

Featured Tenant: SASA

When SASA opened its doors at Shaker Square nearly 16 years ago, it became Cleveland’s first Japanese Izakaya restaurant.

“Lots of chefs can cook, but not all of them are a part of the community,” owner Scott Kim said of his bistro’s deep ties to not only his customers but also to many families in the surrounding community.

Read more about SASA on the Shaker Square social media channels.

Community Engagement: Planning for the Future

Earlier this summer, Burten, Bell, Carr Development Inc. (BBC) and Cleveland Neighborhood Progress released a Request for Proposal (RFP), seeking urban design and retail professionals to work collaboratively with the community on visioning a future for Shaker Square.

This process is intended to build upon past planning efforts and engage community in propelling the historic Shaker Square shopping center into an even more vibrant future. In addition, the purpose of the visioning process is to position the Square for a new owner. It will provide a prospective buyer a blueprint for what the community would like to see at the Square and what is financially feasible from a merchandising and programming standpoint.

The Advisory Committee, made up of residents, business owners, and other stakeholders, will begin interviewing groups that have submitting proposals this fall. As fundraising efforts continue, some funds will be utilized to ensure that the chosen consulting group can begin the formal visioning process within the next six months.

As the visioning process progresses, there will be opportunities for community participation. Keep up to date by following Shaker Square and BBC on social media.

Shaker Square Social Media

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter

BBC Social Media

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter

Events

Since its opening in 1929, Shaker Square has been a place to meet and share experiences, together. There is always something happening in the Square inviting you to gather, engage, and enjoy the spirit of community!
Visit the Shaker Square website to see all upcoming events.

Shaker Square Market
August 19, 8 am – noon
Shaker Square Market will be on East and West Bound Shaker Blvd. You will find farms and food producers with fresh produce, meats, dairy, baked goods, and more every Saturday.

Summer on the Square
August 19, 9 am – 2 pm
Join the community in historic Shaker Square’s public space for a free, family-friendly event!

Submit an Event for the Calendar

With boots on the ground in Shaker Square to address a long list of deferred maintenance issues, the new nonprofit owners also expect to have a 10-month “community vision plan” in the works by the end of the year.

Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP) and Burten Bell Carr Development Corp. (BBC) set a Friday (July 14) deadline on a request for proposals (RFP) from consultants. Eight firms already have expressed interest as of last week — four of those local.

Summer on the Square

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the first Summer on the Square event! It is our community that made the day shine so bright. View more photos on the Shaker Square Facebook page.

We look forward to continuing the summer fun at the next Summer on the Square event on Saturday, July 15. See you then! Find event details on the Shaker Square website.

Capital Improvements

If you have visited the Square recently, you’ve likely seen some of the improvements underway. Capital improvements currently happening on the Square include:
Storefront carpentry and masonry repairs, which will continue throughout the year.

Parking lot and exterior lighting upgrades to LED bulbs, which are on schedule to be completed this month
Bids for roofing, asphalt for the parking lots, and painting have been received, and the work will begin this month and next. The next two work items to bid are new HVAC units and storefront awnings.

Shaker Square Planning Engagement

Would you like to be involved in the Shaker Square visioning process? Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc. is looking for residents, business owners, and other stakeholders to serve on an advisory committee, evaluate RFP proposals, and participate in focus groups.

Fill out the form here to indicate your interest, and a member of the Burten, Bell, Carr team will follow up shortly.

Shaker Square Shopping Center Planning Engagement

Featured Tenant

Just two years after immigrating here from Ukraine in 1992, Elina Kreymerman opened Shaker Square Dry Cleaning & Tailoring. With her business continuing to run strong nearly 30 years later, today Elina is the longest-tenured business owner on Shaker Square.

Elina credits the neighborhoods surrounding Shaker Square for making her success possible, especially amid the challenges posed to businesses in recent years.

“Shaker Square is a great place,” Elina shares. “A lot of businesses like ours did not survive the pandemic, but we have very loyal customers around here. We know our customers, we know their children, and we even know their dogs! We’re a local business that serves our local community.”

This feature originally appeared on the Shaker Square social media channels. View the original post and learn more about other tenants on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.

Shaker Square Website 

Shaker Square has a new website! View the full directory of tenants, see upcoming events happening in the Square, learn about the history of the area, and more at shakersquare.com.

Ownership Team Updates

The Shaker Square ownership team recently met with the local district manager of CVS to discuss the capital improvements planned for the Square and ways to improve overall customer experience.

Featured Tenant

Whether you’re 3 or 83, Cleveland City Dance has something for you. Owner Courtney Laves-Mearini moved this esteemed dance school to Shaker Square in 2008, and she’s worked to double her student population since then. As a longtime neighborhood resident and business owner, Courtney appreciates what the Square offers without having to get in a car: “if I need something I can walk to the grocery store, there are restaurants to eat at, there’s music on the weekends.”

This feature originally appeared on the Shaker Square social media channels. View the original post and learn more about other tenants on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.

Events

Save the date! Our summer series of events kicks off on June 17, 2023. Watch your inbox and Shaker Square social media for details.