Downtown Cleveland Retail Guide
Why Downtown?
Downtown Cleveland stands out among peer cities with a strong sports community, vibrant arts and culture, and a robust food and beverage scene. With unique destinations such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the second largest theatre district in the country, waterfront music venues, three professional sports stadiums, and welcoming green spaces, downtown booms with activity year-round.
Consumers
Approximately 21,000 residents
58 residential buildings within the Downtown Cleveland Improvement District
Over 1,500 housing units planned or under construction
Residents
Commuters
We welcome between 126-177K people daily
`Compared to peer cities, Cleveland ranks:
#1 in building conversions
#3 in post-pandemic downtown recovery
#3 in income growth over the last decade
#7 in business growth
Visitors
We welcome over 36.5M visitors annually
229.8K downtown visitors day of Juneteenth Freedom Fest
181K downtown visitors day of Winterland Tree Lighting Ceremony
Numerous conferences and conventions each year
Hotels
18 hotels totaling 4,693 rooms
Hospitality occupancy peaked at 76% in 2024
The $51 million renovation of the Huntington Convention Center will help expand the portfolio of regional, national, and international events downtown, averaging over 100 major events per year.
People Are Talking About Downtown Cleveland
Downtown Cleveland Attractions
Downtown Cleveland is Home to National Brands Such As:
Downtown Trade Area by the Numbers
Join the Momentum
Planned Riverfront Development
$3.5B
$700M
Planned Lakefront Development
Housing Development Planned or Underway
$1.08B
Development Planned or Underway
$280M
Residential Age
Residential Race
Residential Race
Resources for Retail
The Downtown Cleveland Economic Development and Planning Business Center is your partner in success. We can help with the following: navigating City processes like permitting and incentives, adding signage to your storefront, finding funding sources, securing patio space, getting market data, and providing marketing support. Opening and maintaining a business is made easier with Downtown Cleveland here to help every step of the way.
City of Cleveland Storefront Renovation Program
Helps building owners and retail businesses with exterior renovations and the creation of new retail business signage by offering a rebate agreement. This program offers businesses one of three different financial incentives outlined below.
Standard Building Rebate Program offers a rebate up to $50,000 that focuses on a comprehensive exterior rehabilitation.
Step 1 Building Rebate Program offers a rebate up to $15,000 and includes a targeted exterior renovation.
Sign-only Rebate Program offers up to $5,000 towords the installation and design of a new sign.
Neighborhood Retail Assistance Program
Assists entrepreneurs by providing a funding source that creates and retains local jobs. This incentive provides a fixed below-market-rate loan.
The maximum assistance from the City is $50,000, with applicants providing 10% of equity in the project.
Locally-owned businesses choosing to upgrade the exterior and interior appearance of their storefronts can benefit from this program.
Private developers with retail projects, restaurants, cafes and merchants are eligible to apply.
Downtown Cleveland Ambassadors
Downtown Cleveland Ambassadors are a visible, unarmed, and uniformed presence working seven days a week, year around to create a clean, safe, investment-ready core.
