Downtown Farmers Market on Pause

There's a little less to be thankful for on Fridays now that the Downtown Cleveland Alliance suspended the Downtown Farmers Market, a Public Square fixture that gained a boost in visibility last year after a $10,000 grant from St. Vincent's Charity Medical Center.

"We have decided to close for 2015 and rebrand it and jazz it up," says Heather Holmes, director of marketing and public relations for Downtown Cleveland Alliance, "make it a huge and exciting thing for the summer to activate Public Square."

Vendors were notified at the last market on March 27 and according to Holmes, the organization is working with other markets to help place any vendor who experiences difficulty securing space at another venue.

"We've only had a few reach back out. [They're] disappointed and sad, obviously, and I'm circling back to let them vent their frustration," Holmes says. "I'm starting to make calls to some other markets to see if they can make any concessions and bring them on board at least for this year."

The Downtown Cleveland Alliance explored the option of continuing to host the market at its winter location along Euclid Avenue at the 5th Street Arcades. But due to the congestion of the Public Square construction and the road resurfacing projects slated to begin next week, they worried that delivery trucks and additional foot traffic would clog an already-overtaxed Euclid Avenue.

"We really want to give this the love and attention and the spotlight it deserves, and we think it's better to just hold off right now and relaunch when Public Square opens back up in 2016," says Holmes.

New Place to Park

Come this November Public Square will have more people milling around town thanks to the Park Building. This historic nine-story landmark is currently being converted into luxury condos with great views of downtown. Refinished hardwood floors, granite kitchen countertops and dark oak molding and trim are standard with each unit. But if you’d like something specific, don’t be afraid to ask. One of the soon-to-be-new tenants purchased two condos and is combining them to include a library and walk-in closet. Also, a 10th floor is being added to allow for two-story penthouse suites that will have bedrooms overlooking the kitchen and living areas. Of course, you’re wondering how much a place like this will cost: One- and two-bedroom suites start at $100,000, while three-bedroom suites start at $300,000. With the rising cost of gas, its looks like a good deal, especially when you can go down the street to grab a bite at Lola or head out to West Sixth for a night out on the town — and of course, walk to work.