There’s a lot of buzz in CLE for so many good reasons: innovation, restaurants, technology, breweries, full capacity in the downtown living quarters, music, entrepreneuralism, festivals, healthcare, theatre, museums, bars, sports, nightclubs, universities and so much more.
But there’s one area that hasn’t quite caught up with these other areas in the city that have a solid foundation: retail shopping. Not in this century has Cleveland experienced the downtown retail shopping experience, the window displays or the vibrancy it once did with Higbees, May Company, Halle’s and Sterling Lindner-Davisor.
And that’s okay because we are a much different city now then we were back then. Yet, we yearn for a vital retail district in the heart of the city that so many other cities have the leisure to enjoy. And, we’re in for a change because things are really ramping up to satisfy us with a much-deserved retail district. We work hard, play hard and want to raise the vibration of our city by putting those dollars back into the local economy by shopping happy and hard.
We’ve excitedly received the news about the NuCLEus project, which will house retail streetscapes and residential living, adding vibrancy and community to the city’s central neighborhood. (Parking facilities could be ready for the Republican Convention in 2016. The remainder of the project could be done by early 2017.)
What else is happening toward retail development downtown? The Cleveland Retail Commission (CRC) is seeking to stimulate economic growth, create jobs and develop diverse downtown landscapes for tourists and residents in the city. Furthermore, the CRC seeks to promote and strengthen the presence of garment retailing and manufacturing, fashion design, merchandising and entrepreneurship in the downtown Cleveland area through educational and charitable activities.
“The goal of the CRC is to further the cause and support of retail development in downtown Cleveland,” says Executive Director Donald Shingler. “In this way, I hope to contribute, in some way, to the creation of a vibrant downtown shopping district. One might notice that cities throughout history, since the markets of Rome and Macedonia, have relied on a central market place…a retail district.”
For thousands of years the downtown retail districts and marketplaces have been at the center of commerce and community in cities. It’s a place to meet new people and old friends. It’s the heart and soul of a city.
So how did the formation of the Cleveland Retail Commission get started? A little backstory…
As a community development initiative, the CRC was established with the help of the Kramer Community Development Law Clinic of Case Western Reserve University’s School of Law. Donald Shingler is the Founder and CEO of Fashion Week Cleveland. 2015 marks fashion week’s 10th year anniversary, running March 13th – 21st. The event has evolved into a well-reputed, nationally acclaimed, fun-filled week of fashion, music, design, art and community in the 5th Street Arcades. (The 5th Street Arcades were created a century ago as an elegant solution to shopping in the northern climate – they are indoor shopping streets.)
In 2012, Fashion Week Cleveland set up offices into the 5th Street Arcade Space and quickly thereafter, so did the Cleveland Retail Commission. Donald had been thinking about a retail commission for years, prior to moving into 5th Street and found that real estate management firm of the 5th Street Arcades were people that really supported this idea.
“Dick Pace and Jeanne McMaster of the 5th Street Arcades have been 100% supportive since I came to them with the idea two years ago,” says Donald. “Within four weeks of presenting the idea of setting up an office in the 5th Street Arcades, Cumberland Development carpeted and painted our space. The Fashion Week team and furniture moved in. The offices served as the monthly meeting place to carry out our mission of business development for Fashion Week and the Cleveland Retail Commission. It was also the place for retailers as they began to move into the Arcades,” Shingler explains.
By the end of 2014, 95% of the 5th Street Arcades were occupied and the CRC’s mission seemed to be working — to provide business development services, promote downtown retail development and create awareness to the importance of fashion design and merchandising. The Cleveland Retail Commission seeks to increase urban vitality and retain the young professionals that leave Northeast Ohio by establishing an environment that stimulates and sustains employment opportunities in greater Cleveland, particularly in support of a retail and garment district.
And that’s a really great idea, because the U.S. retail apparel industry employs millions of people and boasts annual sales in the multi-hundred billion dollar range. As one of the initiatives they’re passionate about, the Cleveland Retail Commission aims to help downtown in securing a part of this gigantic and important business segment.
So, how does the CRC intend to do this? They’ve created a well-devised strategic plan: 1) A Business Development Center – this will be a place where potential retailers are connected with architects, building managers, property owners and realtors. 2) Cleveland Fashion Incubator – The CRC will encourage and facilitate the development of seed boutiques in the “Retail Triangle.” The Retail Triangle will be on Euclid Avenue from Public Square to the Playhouse, down Huron Road and from Playhouse Square to Ontario. The base of the triangle will be Ontario Street, from Public Square to the Q Arena.
The “Retail Triangle” will also encompass the 5th Street Arcades, The Arcade and the newly proposed NuCLEus. East 4th Street crosses the triangle from left to right as does East 9th Street, with the Metropolitan and The 9 at the center of the triangle. The incubator will create an environment where fashion designers and merchandisers work together to create specialty stores downtown. 3) Educational Programs – The CRC will provide educational programs and events (such as “Retail’s Night Out!” and “Circle2Square”) that focus on various aspects of the garment retail industry, teaching potential entrepreneurs how to set-up shop in Cleveland.
The CRC has a grand vision, and the mission is a worthy one. When visitors, business people and tourists come to our city, they ask residents or the hotel concierge the reasonable question, “Where is your shopping district?” Sadly, the answer is that Cleveland doesn’t have one and so answers usually focus toward driving out to the suburbs for Crocker Park, Beachwood Place, Legacy Village, etc.
“We want the answer to be downtown… the “Cleveland Retail Triangle,” explains Donald. “Downtown Cleveland needs a part of this market. Think of the tax base alone that can be gained by such a district, Clevelanders and tourists demand it,” states Shingler.
He continues, “What we do is put a spotlight on downtown retail development, promoting retail and fashion design, the key is education, putting design and retail in the forefront and connecting interested parties.”
The CRC website is coming soon, ClevelandRetailCommission.org. In the meantime, be sure to get down to get downtown on March 13th, 5P – 8P for Retail’s Night Out! It’s the kick-off to Fashion Week Cleveland as well as a fabulous night out in the city. An entire city block of enclosed street awaits you at the 5th Street Arcades. Pop-up boutiques, trunk shows, sidewalk sales and international foods are yours to indulge. It’s where retail meets happy hour, the vibrant downtown shopping experience in Cleveland’s “Retail Triangle” is already taking place. Join 1000+ guests at this party celebrating the return of downtown retail. DJ Samantha Gray will be playing music. It’s free Admission, free beer and free wine. Be a part of it!