By: Maggie Phillips
Great news, Cleveland State University students- Heinen’s downtown grocery store is now open, after being closed since the end of May. Starting October 7th, the store’s hours are 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on weekdays and 8:00am to 7:00pm on weekends.
Masks and social distancing are required upon entrance to the store, and the Rotunda area will remain closed until further notice. In addition to these precautions, Heinen’s is asking customers to consider shopping after 9:00 am, giving the elderly and immunocompromised customers a safer window to shop during the first hour the store is open.
For students who live on CSU’s campus, Heinen’s is the closest walkable grocery store, being only a 15 minute walk from the residence halls. Due to its temporary closure, many downtown and on-campus residents had to find new places to shop for groceries.
CSU film student and amateur chef Natalie Dhyanchand has lived near campus all spring and summer. She expressed excitement about the store reopening, but also pointed out the costliness of its food items.
“While Heinen’s was closed I went to Aldi’s and Target. It was not super hard to find other grocery stores, as I usually didn’t do the bulk of my shopping at Heinen’s anyways because it is pricier,” Dhyanchand explained.“It is nice to have somewhere I can buy food within walking distance, and they have a lot of good options for different diets.”
For students on a budget, Heinen’s might be less cost-efficient than other grocery stores in the area. Some other grocery options include the aforementioned Aldi on Euclid Ave and E 75th St, Dave’s Market on Chester and E 61st St, and Park To Shop Supermarket on E 30th St.