Family-owned Constantino's Market has agreed to buy the former Nature's Bin natural and organic supermarket in Lakewood for an undisclosed price.
LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- Family-owned Constantino's Market has signed an agreement to buy the site of the former Nature's Bin natural and organic supermarket in Lakewood.
The purchase agreement, for an undisclosed price, calls for Constantino's to buy the 18120 Sloane Ave. property by the end of July for a future grocery store.
"Nature's Bin will not be reopening. It will be a Constantino's, similar to both of their existing stores," said Nancy Peppler, executive director of the nonprofit Cornucopia Inc., which provides employment training and helps find jobs for people with disabilities and owns the Nature's Bin property. Cornucopia serves people with developmental disabilities, autism, mental illness, visual, speech and hearing impairments, and injuries resulting from accident or illness.
Nature's Bin closed its doors on Nov. 12, 2016. In addition to taking over the grocery store space, "they will be allowing us to use the facility to assess the [employment] readiness for people with disabilities," teaching them job skills in a real workplace, Peppler said. "It's really difficult to get relationships with grocery stores to get people to work side-by-side with somebody for one or two weeks." Nature's Bin closed on Nov. 12, 2016, after 41 years in business.
"It's something that we used to have at Nature's Bin that we're anticipating that we will be able to continue" when it opens as Constantino's, she said. "It's going to be great."
Andrew Revy, chief executive officer and partner of the Constantino's and son-in-law of founder Constantine "Costas" Mavromichalis, said via email that "We are looking to finalize the purchase to open a Constantino's Market in Lakewood. We are excited about the possibility and will be sending out a press release when things get finalized."
"Constantino's Markets are family-owned and dedicated to providing customers with quality customer service and products, competitive prices, and a unique shopping experience," Revy said in a written announcement announcing the agreement.
With two stores at 1298 West Ninth St. in Cleveland's Warehouse District and at 11473 Euclid Ave. in University Circle's Uptown neighborhood, Revy said: "We are thrilled at the possibility to continue a great tradition of a neighborhood grocery store and giving the service the people of Lakewood deserve."
Constantino's Markets offer fresh fruits and vegetables, groceries, hand-trimmed meats, bakery items, deli items and prepared foods, local and regional craft beers, microbrews and imported beers and wines from around the world, including more than 140 local and regionally sourced products.
Peppler said: "Constantino's was one of many businesses that approached us about the property when we announced the closing of Nature's Bin. We quickly realized that the sale of this property was an opportunity for our neighborhood and for our organization."
"We made a conscious decision to seek out a buyer who would consider allowing us to conduct work assessments within the business and if possible, buy our 'Nature's Bin Favorites' foods. We are excited to say that Constantino's will be a partner on both fronts."
Peppler said Revy already sells some of Nature's Bin Favorites prepared foods, such as quinoa salad and muffins, at his other Constantino's Markets.
Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers said in a written statement that "With our housing market on such an upswing, it only makes sense that we're going to attract high-quality, locally-owned businesses like Constantino's. ... A grocery store -- especially a specialized grocery store like Constantino's -- fits right within the framework of vibrant neighborhoods and locally owned and strong businesses supporting each other."