An arcade is defined as “covered passageway with arches”. Cleveland still has three of its original arcades (indoor shopping malls) built between 1890 and 1911. In this series we will look at each. Today we look at the youngest – the Euclid Arcade built in 1911. This Arcade connects Euclid Ave with Prospect Street. It was designed by George Smith and has white marble floors, white terra cotta walls and a sky lit barrel vaulted ceiling. It runs parallel to it’s neighbor the Colonial Arcade and is connected by a food court (although this connection only recently came about in 2000). Today the Euclid Arcade and Colonial Arcade are collectively called the 5th Street Arcades.
Today as in year’s past the Euclid Arcade is full of retail and restaurants. One of my favorite stores in Cleveland In A Box. Here you get to pick either five or ten items all from Cleveland, fill your box and ship it anywhere in the US or Military Post all for one low price. Their selection varies seasonally but you can get everything from Bertman Ballpark mustard, Buckeye candies, Campbells popcorn, Root candles or a slew of Cleveland Sports teams items (just to name a few).
Our Downtown Highlights walking tour passes by all three arcades with a stop to the oldest of the three arcades. Book your walking tour here.
