Near Cleveland Clinic’s main campus, Meijer opened Fairfax Market today bringing a mix of fresh, local and convenient food to customers in Cleveland’s Fairfax neighborhood.
A ribbon-cutting and grand opening took place at the new market located at 2190 E. 105th St. Cleveland Clinic CEO and President Tom Mihaljevic, M.D., was on hand at the opening, along with Hank Meijer, Meijer Executive Chairman; Rick Keyes, Meijer President and CEO; Blaine Griffin, Cleveland City Council President and Ward 6 Councilman; and Denise VanLeer, Fairfax Renaissance executive director.
“Cleveland Clinic shares Meijer’s 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,” said Dr. Mihaljevic, holder of the Morton L. Mandel CEO Chair.
“Food insecurity, or lack of access to healthy foods, is a growing problem across the country,” said Dr. Mihaljevic. “As a social determinant of health, food insecurity can have a significant impact on a person’s overall well-being.”
Bringing Meijer to the Fairfax neighborhood began with a community conversation among Dr. Mihaljevic, Griffin and area residents. A group of local Cleveland leaders visited a Meijer neighborhood market in Michigan. They saw the positive impact it had on the community and thought a similar Meijer market would be a good fit for the Fairfax neighborhood.
In 2021, the City of Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic, Meijer, Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation and Fairmount Properties broke ground on the new grocery market and apartment complex. To help revitalize and transform the neighborhood, the project significantly contributes to the partners’ shared goal of addressing food insecurity, supporting economic development in the area, and providing a new shopping destination for customers from surrounding neighborhoods. At least 50 new jobs have been created by the opening of Fairfax Market.
Meijer and Cleveland Clinic have partnered many times to address community needs. As a long-time donor, Meijer has provided funds and supplies for pediatric cancer research, Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, a school-based mobile health program in Cleveland-area schools and an annual Thanksgiving dinner for Cleveland Clinic employees.
“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,” said Keyes.
At 40,000 square feet, 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. Fairfax Market offers 90 minutes of free parking in a covered ramp next door for customers, onsite grocery pickup, and various forms of delivery. The store is developing a pickup program on Cleveland Clinic’s main campus for hospital employees.
For more information on the market’s features and offerings, visit fairfaxmarket.com.
