Meijer opens Fairfax Market in Cleveland Innovation District
Meijer has opened Fairfax Market in Cleveland, bringing a mix of fresh, local and convenient food at low prices to customers in Cleveland's Fairfax neighborhood. Fairfax Market is the retailer's fifth neighborhood market, and the first outside of Michigan.
The store is part of a broader revitalization project designed to bolster economic activity, add jobs and bring nutritious, affordable food to the Cleveland Innovation District.
"Fairfax Market represents another opportunity to serve our customers in a community that offers so much potential for growth. We've spent the last year connecting with local vendors and asking neighbors what they'd like to see in the market," said Alan Jordan, Fairfax Market store director. "As a result, we've worked to curate requested products and develop programs that will benefit our neighbors, such as multiple delivery options and on-site grocery pick-up."
Jordan and his team welcomed customers into the market with cheers and a round of applause, which was later followed by a ribbon-cutting event featuring remarks from Ward 6 Councilman and Council President Blaine Griffin, Cleveland Clinic CEO and president and Morton L. Mandel CEO chair Dr. Tom Mihaljevic, Fairfax Renaissance executive director Denise VanLeer, Meijer executive chairman Hank Meijer and Meijer president and CEO Rick Keyes.
[Read more: Meijer opens small-format Rivertown Market in Detroit]
"Meijer is committed to investing in the communities where our customers and team members live and work, and that same philosophy applies to our neighborhood stores like Fairfax Market," Keyes said. "We value the Northeast Ohio community and are excited to continue growing our presence here with our first grocery store in the City of Cleveland."
At 40,000 sq. ft., Fairfax Market offers a wide range of products, including fresh meat and deli items, fresh produce, a bakery and Meijer and national brand items. It also carries more than 2,000 local products from 150 local vendors, including Cleveland Cold Brew Coffee, Micah's Supreme Sauce, PUR Spices, Akron Honey, Lemon Waves and beauty care products from Catlin Naturals, a local, black, woman-owned business.
Other market highlights include a 104-foot international section, with products from Cleveland and around the world, a large assortment of local beer and wine, and a floral department and gift shop featuring PaperCutz Vintage greeting cards as well as paper flowers from Love, Anji. A 54-seat café space serves coffee, sandwiches, salads and other items from Saucy Coffee and sushi from Hissho Sushi.
Located at 2190 E. 105th St., Fairfax Market offers 90 minutes of free parking for customers in the covered ramp next door, onsite grocery pickup and delivery through Shipt, Instacart and DoorDash. The store offers the Meijer mPerks rewards program, which allows customers to earn points on purchases toward future savings, and accepts WIC and SNAP benefits.
[Read more: Meijer donates $300K to support the Midwest's diverse-owned businesses]
"Food insecurity, or lack of access to healthy foods, is a growing problem across the country. As a social determinant of health, it can have a significant impact on a person's overall well-being," said Mihaljevic. "Cleveland Clinic and Meijer share a commitment to improving the health of the communities they serve, and we appreciate their dedication to ensuring healthy food is now accessible in the Fairfax neighborhood."
Meijer opened its first store in Ohio in 1981 and invested heavily in the state ever since. Upon the opening of Fairfax Market today, Meijer now employs more than 11,000 team members at 53 stores statewide and its distribution and manufacturing facilities in Tipp City and has plans for accelerated growth in Northeast Ohio. Approximately 50 team members are employed at the new market, where they have access to health and free education benefits, as well as a 401(k) program with a company match.
During the past week, Fairfax Market demonstrated its support of the community by donating to two local organizations. The retailer donated $15,000 to the Fairfax Recreation Center, a community hub playing a central role in the social and physical well-being of the community for more than 50 years. In addition, the retailer donated $10,000 to Karamu House, the oldest, producing African American theatre in the nation.