Constantino's Becomes Downtown Cleveland's Last Grocery Store

Constantino's Market didn’t ask to become Downtown Cleveland's only grocery store. But when Heinen's closes its doors July 31, that's exactly what it will be.

For the family-owned market on West Ninth Street, the news is bittersweet.

"Heinen's closing is a tough one for us too," says Constantino's CEO Andrew Revy. "A strong downtown is built on successful anchor tenants, and Heinen's was part of the retail vibrancy that makes Downtown Cleveland such a great neighborhood to live in. We are part of that fabric, and we are invested in keeping our downtown strong and vibrant."

READ MORE: Heinen's Downtown Cleveland Grocery Store Is Closing July 31

Constantino's has been part of that fabric longer than many realize. The market opened in 2005 on the ground floor of the Bingham Building after founder Costas Mavromichalis—who operated a successful convenience store—was approached by the City of Cleveland about opening a neighborhood grocer. It was a gamble in a downtown with far fewer residents than today, but one that paid off. More than two decades later, the business is thriving under the leadership of Mavromichalis' daughter, Anna, the company's CFO, and her husband, Revy.

Unlike Heinen's, Constantino's was never designed to be a sprawling supermarket. Instead, it embraces a European-style neighborhood market focused on fresh produce, prepared foods, grab-and-go meals, wine, beer and everyday essentials. The store's tagline says it all: "We don't have everything, but we have what you need."

That philosophy extends to every aisle. Shoppers can pick up eggs, laundry detergent and pet food alongside local favorites like Amir hummus, Mitchell's Ice Cream, Ohio City Pasta, Caruso's Coffee and seafood from Catanese Classic Seafood. The meats offered are intentionally curated to a handful of options, like Wild Harvest grass-fed flank steak, while the dairy case balances artisanal brands such as Bellwether Farms organic yogurt with everyday staples like Chobani, as well as kefir, traditional and plant-based milks.

When it comes to at-home entertaining, Constantino’s punches above its weight. A robust wine selection spans everything from Willamette Valley Pinot Noir to California Cabernet and Italian Nebbiolo, with sparklers ranging from Prosecco to Champagne. Nearby, a cooler stocked with Ohio craft beer—including offerings from Fat Head’s and Lakewood's Immigrant Son Brewery—sits just steps from the bakery, where regulars swear by the Snickers and Everything cookies.

"We have a smaller footprint than a big suburban store, so we work with our distributors to bring in the top sellers and the daily essentials," Revy says. "We also bring in new items all the time—things we think our customers will like—and love introducing products that feel like fun, exciting trends."

The market caters largely to Downtown renters and young professionals ages 21 to 35, with lunch and dinner remaining its busiest times despite foot traffic still trailing pre-pandemic levels. To better serve those customers, Constantino's recently hired chef Danny Soza to enhance its prepared foods program, creating a rotating lineup of hot-bar entrees, fresh salads and signature sandwiches for residents looking to grab dinner on the way home or office workers in search of lunch.

Revy acknowledges that Heinen's closure presents an opportunity to serve shoppers who previously relied on the East Ninth Street store. He is optimistic that the opening of the new Sherwin-Williams headquarters and the gradual return of workers to downtown offices will continue to strengthen daytime business.

“We also face the same challenges every grocery retailer faces,” Revy says. “Staffing, inflation, the rising cost of operations and products, and national chains overshadowing locally owned independents.”

Downtown Cleveland Inc. is hoping to help level the playing field. On July 9, the nonprofit organization highlighted Constantino's on social media while reminding residents about the weekly Public Square Farmers Market on Thursday evenings and its daytime weekday food truck series that runs through September. CEO Michael Deemer shares Revy's optimism that the new Sherwin-Williams headquarters, along with continued residential growth fueled by young professionals and empty nesters, will bring more customers downtown.

"There's no question Heinen's closing was a disappointment," Deemer says. "But we are optimistic about the future. People have more options now than ever before with locally owned supermarkets like Constantino's, as well as Dave's to the east and west by transit."

Deemer says Downtown Cleveland Inc. is actively working to recruit another grocery retailer to the former Heinen's space. Until then, Constantino's will continue doing what it has done for more than two decades: serving the neighborhood it helped build.

"We have taken hits, we have had losses, but we are committed and invested for the long run," Revy says. "This is our livelihood, and we are proud to be part of the downtown Cleveland community."

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