Downtown Cleveland has limited shopping. Tower City Center and to a lesser extent the Galleria serve as major city-center malls. Boutiques and art galleries are scattered through the Warehouse District, the Old Arcade, and Colonial Marketplace.
The two best neighborhoods for alternative and funky shopping are Ohio City (around Lorain Avenue and W. 25th) and Coventry Village (around Mayfield and Coventry). The West Side Market in Ohio City is the last municipally owned market in the country, housed in a beautiful building with an old-world atmosphere. Tremont and Little Italy are the top neighborhoods for art galleries.
Good antique and thrift store shopping runs along Lorain Avenue on the west side and Larchmere Boulevard one block north of Shaker Square on the east side.
The premier shopping in the region is in the suburbs, where several centers carry impressive collections of national and local retailers.
Crocker Park
Cleveland's newest major shopping center, serving the affluent west side suburbs. An outdoor main-street-style center in Westlake off I-90 with retailers like H&M, J. Crew, Coach, and Banana Republic alongside boutiques unique to Cleveland.
Tel: (440) 871-6880. crockerpark.com
Beachwood Place
The premier upscale shopping center in Northeast Ohio, in Beachwood off I-271. Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and many high-end retailers. Serves Cleveland's affluent east side suburbs.
26300 Cedar Road. Tel: (216) 464-9460
Eton Collection
Often overlooked but a terrific combination of quality shops and restaurants with both outdoor streetscape and indoor atrium. Located off I-271 in Woodmere, near Beachwood Place and on the way to Chagrin Falls.
28601 Chagrin Boulevard. Tel: (216) 591-0544
West Side Market Saturday Market
A well-known urban outdoor market in Ohio City's Market Square Park across from the West Side Market. Various vendors and live performances on Saturday afternoons during summer. A nice complement to the Saturday West Side Market experience.
Tel: (216) 781-3222
The Avenue at Tower City Center
Major retailers, eclectic shops, and an excellent food court in the heart of downtown on Public Square. Connected to Terminal Tower, the central transit hub, hotels, a movie theater, and walkways to the sports complexes. Very cheap parking with validation.
50 Public Square. Tel: (216) 771-0033
Shaker Square
The predecessor to the modern suburban shopping center, completed in 1929. Beautiful Georgian architecture with the Shaker Rapid running through the center of the square. The retail mix changes over time, but the historic setting is always worth a visit. Easily accessible by Rapid from Tower City.
Legacy Village
Focused on furniture, housewares, and dining. An attractive main-street shopping center across from Beachwood Place with Joseph-Beth bookstore, Crate and Barrel, Restoration Hardware, and Arhaus Furniture.
25001 Cedar Rd. Tel: (216) 382-3871
Flower Child
One of Cleveland's most well-known vintage shops, with gently used retro clothing, accessories, furniture, and collectibles. Reasonably priced. Located on Clifton Boulevard near W. 117th in the Gold Coast neighborhood.
11508 Clifton Blvd. Tel: (216) 939-9933
Hansa Import House
A shop specializing in German imports, mostly food items with some unique gifts. A great place to browse when visiting the West Side Market. Located a block away on Lorain Avenue in a small chalet-type building.
2701 Lorain Ave. Tel: (216) 281-3177