Renovated KeyBank Arcade Opens to Rave Reviews
This month, the West Side Market Transformation Project achieved a major milestone with the completion and grand opening of the KeyBank Produce Arcade.
The Arcade soft opened to the public on Friday, January 9, and was officially opened following a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, KeyBank Foundation CEO Eric Fiala, State Representative Bride Rose Sweeney, and Jessy Harb – the daughter of the Market’s longest-running produce stand, Harb’s Produce.
“KeyBank is thrilled to welcome guests to the reimagined arcade at Cleveland’s iconic West Side Market,” said Eric Fiala, KeyBank Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer and CEO, KeyBank Foundation. “This investment reflects our deep commitment to our hometown by improving access to fresh, healthy food for families and creating new opportunities for the small businesses that make the Market a cornerstone of our community. We’re proud to help preserve this historic landmark and ensure it continues to thrive as a vital resource for generations to come.”
The renovations preserve the arcade’s unique architecture and its existing mix of fresh fruit, vegetable, and floral vendors, while adding enhancements like climate control, improved lighting, and more accessible merchandising of product.
“We are thrilled to welcome Market shoppers into our renovated produce arcade and are grateful for KeyBank’s investment that made these renovations possible,” says Rosemary Mudry, Executive Director for Cleveland Public Market Corporation (CPMC), the non-profit that manages the Market. “What’s exciting is how this showcases the real vision for the whole project: preserved history, enhanced experiences, and all of our customers’ favorite vendors are still here.”
Customers and vendors alike expressed excitement over the updates.
“There is no better symbol of what this country represents than what you’re seeing right here in this market,” said Mayor Bibb. “People of all races, backgrounds, nationalities coming together to build community.”
The larger Transformation Project will add additional infrastructure improvements and new experience opportunities to the 114-year-old Market, all while preserving its iconic architecture and rich family-owned fresh food small business tradition. To help bring this full vision to life, support the Market’s Transformation Project with a gift today.