One Store Closes, Another Opens in Cleveland Street District

When one door closes another opens. At least that’s how it goes in Clearwater’s Cleveland Street District where a night life filled with artsy hangouts, restaurants with outdoor seating and live music has slowly emerged.

There’s about 60 percent occupancy of retail shops in this district, signs that the city’s $10 million streetscape and revitalization efforts downtown are working.

expanded to a bigger location within the district moving a block west and doubling in size.

followed. They moved right next door to Tony’s and added another component to their business now calling the shop the .

The success of these businesses isn’t shared by all, though.

Café Supreme, at 801 Cleveland St., a Canadian chain restaurant that opened a few years ago recently closed down. The café had a five star rating on Urbanspoon and a 91 percent "like" on the site. Most of their breakfast and lunch menu items were under $10.

Courtney Orr, the city’s downtown manager, doesn’t know why it closed but said Café Q, is taking its place.

“We are not giving up on trying to recruit new retailers and restaurants to the district,” Orr said.

One way they're continuing to try is with the city's Blast Friday, an event that attracts artists, live music performances and introduces visitors to businesses on the first Friday of each month.

The concept is slowly catching on.

The biggest thing the area has going for it is the city’s $10 million streetscape, which included new landscaping, architecture elements and façade improvements. It was completed in December 2007. 

The second phase of the revitalization effort, recruiting businesses, began in 2008 when Orr came aboard.

It’s a tough job.

The completion of the streetscape coincided with the downturn of the economy and a rising unemployment rate.

Orr said they talk to businesses that are interested in moving to the district but don’t have the means to do so.

“When they’re ready to expand to a new location they are considering it,” Orr said. But for right now, “They are not in a situation to make that investment."

For now the city is pressing on and pushing attractions, venues and family friendly events to the district. It's a safe place for families and has plenty of bars and restaurants for young professionals and potential business owners.