Shaker Square is a historic neighborhood within city limits located just southeast of downtown Cleveland. The neighborhood is complete with restaurants, shops, entertainment, and more including the decoratively ornate Atlas Cinemas theater. One of the first of its kind, the square was designed as a suburban shopping center to appeal to the upper-class clientele of Shaker Heights and housed a great variety of businesses over the years, from realtors and restaurants to specialty clothing stores and professional offices.
Initially designed as a gateway to the Shaker Heights suburb, the square's design was inspired by 18th-century European royal squares with American Colonial-Georgian details to conform with the vision of Shaker Heights. The surrounding residential parts of the Shaker Square neighborhood primarily feature English, French, or Colonial style homes and apartment buildings. Immediately surrounding the square, a majority of the residences are apartment buildings designed in the aforementioned styles on tree-lined streets in walking distance to the square.
More recently, the square has evolved into a popular location for small business entrepreneurs. The proximity of the neighborhood to downtown via the RTA transit Shaker Square station and other neighboring communities - including Cleveland Heights, the new Van Aken district, and Larchmere - makes the location ideal for businesses and residents looking for urban living paired with neighborhood charm. The transit line runs directly through the center of the square connecting residents and visitors to the new Van Aken district to the southeast and Tower City in downtown Cleveland to the northwest. The Tower City transit stop provides riders with access to other neighborhoods within the greater Cleveland area.
Shops
Food
EDWINS Restaurant & Leadership Institute
Michael's Diner at Shaker Square
Services
Flawless Barber Academy/H2 Healthy Hair
Coffee Shops/Cafes
A popular location for festivals, Shaker Square is home to a number of events including the weekly seasonal North Union Farmers Market which occurs every Saturday. The market is part of a city wide series bringing locally-grown or made products to urban communities for purchase directly from the vendor. The market is held outdoors in the middle of the square from April until December. Another popular event hosted by the North Union Farmers Market organization is the Cleveland Garlic Festival is a two-day yearly event featuring live music, entertainment, vendors, and all things garlic-related.
Events
North Union Farmers Markets (seasonal) - every Saturday from 8:00a to 12:00p
Free Summer Concert Series - June 22nd to August 3rd from 6:00p to 9:00p
Cleveland Garlic Festival - August 24th from 12:00p to 8:00p
Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival - September 12th from 10:00a to 11:00p
Holiday Market - December 1st from 9:00a to 1:00p