EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio — In the heart of East Cleveland, an area suffering blight and vacancy, restaurateur and social justice advocate Ismail Samad is making economic change.
He is engaging with the community to convert a vacant Wendy’s building into Maroon Square — a hub of food, community and possibility.
A micro-food hall will be anchored by the next generation of Loiter Marketplace. Loiter was previously located in the former Mickey’s Building on the edge of University Circle and East Cleveland. It closed earlier this year and will reopen in December…