If you walked into a bank in 1908, you’d expect to see teller cages and stern men in three-piece suits. You definitely wouldn't expect to find a massive wall of kale or a self-serve wine station. But that’s exactly what happened to the old Ameritrust Rotunda. Honestly, Heinen's Downtown Cleveland is probably the only place in the world where you can buy a rotisserie chicken while staring at a $10 million renovation of a Beaux-Arts masterpiece.
Most people call it the "most beautiful grocery store in America." That sounds like marketing fluff, but then you walk in. The scale is just ridiculous. You’ve got this soaring 85-foot Tiffany-style glass dome—which, fun fact, wasn't actually made by Tiffany but by Nicola D’Ascenzo—showering light over the produce aisle. It’s weirdly peaceful. You’re basically grocery shopping in a cathedral of commerce.
The Bank That Became a Supermarket
The building at the corner of East 9th and Euclid was once the headquarters of the Cleveland Trust Company. It sat empty for nearly two decades after Ameritrust moved out in the 90s. For years, it was just a ghost in the middle of the city. People thought it would be torn down or turned into another luxury condo. Instead, the Heinen family (who have been the local grocery kings since 1929) stepped in.
They didn’t just slap some shelves on the floor. They spent two years meticulously restoring the marble, the bronze, and those 13 massive murals by Francis Davis Millet. Those murals show the "Development of Civilization in America," which is a pretty heavy theme for a place where you're just trying to find some decent avocados.
What You'll Find Inside (Besides Architecture)
- The First Floor: This is your traditional grocery vibe. Fresh produce, high-end meats, and a sushi bar. It’s surprisingly compact because, well, it’s a round building.
- The Second Floor (The Rotunda): This is the soul of the place. It’s where the wine and beer lounge lives. You can grab a glass and literally sit where the bank tellers used to stand.
- The Swetland Building Wing: Connected to the rotunda, this section holds the everyday essentials—frozen foods, cereal, cleaning supplies. It’s less "stunning architecture" and more "I forgot to buy milk."
Why Heinen's Downtown Cleveland Still Matters
Before this store opened in 2015, living in downtown Cleveland was a bit of a struggle for food. You had to drive out to the suburbs or rely on convenience stores. Bringing a full-service grocer to the 9th and Euclid intersection was a massive gamble.
The store serves about 15,000 residents now, but it’s also a magnet for tourists. You’ll see people with cameras taking photos of the ceiling while locals push carts full of LaCroix past them. It’s a strange, functional blend of a museum and a pantry.
The "Wine Station" Experience
Let’s talk about the second floor. It’s probably the biggest draw for anyone who isn't there for a gallon of milk. They have these automated WineStations. You load up a card with money, grab a glass, and choose between a 1-ounce taste, a 3-ounce pour, or a full 5-ounce glass.
It’s the ultimate "treat yourself" move after a long workday. You can sit at a marble table—often repurposed from the original bank teller stations—and look down at the grocery floor below. There’s something incredibly satisfying about sipping a Malbec while watching someone struggle to pick out a ripe cantaloupe.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
If you’re planning to head down there, keep a few things in mind. First off, parking is a bit of a nightmare. There is no dedicated lot. You’re looking at street meters or nearby parking garages. If you’re just popping in for a few items, it’s fine, but don't expect a suburban-style 400-car parking lot.
Hours of Operation (Standard 2026 Schedule):
Monday through Friday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm.
Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm.
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The store is a bit pricier than your average discount grocer. You’re paying for the curation and, frankly, the overhead of maintaining a historic landmark. But for the quality of the prepared foods and the sheer "wow" factor, it's worth the extra couple of bucks.
Actionable Insights for Visitors
- Look Up, Not Down: Don't just rush to the deli. Go to the second-floor balcony first. It’s the best vantage point for the murals and the dome.
- Wednesday is Sushi Day: Like most Heinen's locations, they usually have sushi specials on Wednesdays. It’s a local hack for a cheap, high-quality lunch downtown.
- Check the Events: They frequently run "Wine Wednesdays" or seasonal tastings in the rotunda. Check their website or the chalkboard near the entrance for the week's schedule.
- Use the 1010 Euclid Entrance: If you just need a quick sandwich or a coffee, entering through the side building (the 1010 building) is often faster than navigating the main rotunda entrance.
Heinen's Downtown Cleveland isn't just a place to buy eggs. It’s a survival story for Cleveland’s architecture. It proved that you can take a "useless" old bank and turn it into the beating heart of a neighborhood. Whether you're a local resident or just a traveler passing through, it’s a required stop for anyone who appreciates the fact that even a chore like grocery shopping can be beautiful.