Program Directory

 
City Club of Cleveland - State of Downtown Retail
City Club of Cleveland
 
 
 
At the turn of the 20th century, lower Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland ranked among the largest retail districts in the United States. The growth of suburbs and shopping malls decimated downtown retail and, by the turn of the 21st century, the last of the downtown retail giants had closed.

For the last decade, downtown has become a hub for dining and entertainment. Despite this resurgence, many lament the continued lack of "soft goods" retail stores.

Some experts believe downtown needs a variety of retail offerings in order to thrive. Others argue that there is too much retail in Northeast Ohio already and that brick-and-mortar retail stores are declining, pointing to the collapse of Richmond Town Square, Parmatown Mall, and Severance Town Center. Does downtown need retail to thrive? What efforts are being undertaken to attract national, regional and local retailers?

Panelists include:

Michael Deemer, Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, Downtown Cleveland Alliance
Gordon Geiger, Co-Owner, Geiger's
Rico Pietro, SIOR, Principal, Cresco Real Estate
Terry Schwarz, Director, Kent State University's Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative

This conversation was moderated by Plain Dealer real estate reporter Michelle Jarboe McFee.
August 21, 2015