News Summary
University Heights will soon welcome a new Trader Joe’s store as part of John Carroll University’s Gateway North Project, scheduled to open in September. The project, located at Fairmount Circle, will include retail and residential spaces, enhancing options for local residents and students. This new location marks Trader Joe’s fourth store in Northeast Ohio, complementing existing shops in nearby areas. Plans are underway to revitalize the community, including additional grocery options like Aldi. The city’s commitment to development aims to boost the economy and strengthen community connections.
University Heights will welcome a new Trader Joe’s store as part of John Carroll University’s Gateway North Project, which is set to open in September 2026. The specialty grocer has filed its plans with the University Heights Building Department, and Mayor Michael Brennan has confirmed the news. This will be Trader Joe’s fourth location in Northeast Ohio, adding to its existing stores in Mentor, Westlake, and Woodmere.
The Gateway North Project is a mixed-use development located at Fairmount Circle, bordered by Warrensville Center Road, John Carroll Boulevard, and Milford Road. The site was previously home to a BP gas station, Mr. Tire, and approximately a dozen homes that were owned by John Carroll University. Upon completion, the project will feature a gross building area of 157,000 square feet, with retail space totaling 27,940 square feet designed to be a hub for JCU students and the University Heights community.
This ambitious project will also include 351 residential units, providing a total of 355 beds. Parking solutions are being planned, with 301 spaces designated for residents and 186 for visitors. Groundbreaking for the Gateway North Project is scheduled for February 2026, with the aim of completing the project by the fall semester. The initiative has been under discussion since collaboration began in 2021, with initial development plans presented to City Council in December 2022.
Aldi has also proposed building a store nearby at the Waterstone Professional Building site, with plans currently in progress. The addition of Trader Joe’s, alongside the upcoming Aldi, aims to enhance the retail options available to local residents and the university community. Mayor Brennan’s administration has expressed a strong commitment to boosting the local economy and community development, especially as his term concludes this year.
As part of a broader vision, the city aims to transform Warrensville Center Road into a main street, improving connectivity between John Carroll University and the surrounding community. The Gateway North Project is being marketed by Goodman Real Estate, emphasizing the significance of this development for local residents, students, and businesses alike.
John Carroll University has not provided comments on the project plans for this article. However, the presence of Trader Joe’s is likely to contribute positively to the area’s economy and serve as a highly anticipated amenity for those living and studying in University Heights.
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Additional Resources
- Crain’s Cleveland: Trader Joe’s Coming to University Heights September 2026
- Wikipedia: University Heights, Ohio
- Cleveland.com: JCU’s Gateway North Redevelopment Plans
- Google Search: Gateway North Project
- News-Leader: Trader Joe’s Considered for University Heights Corner
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Retail
- CBS 42: Trader Joe’s Opening New Locations in 2025
- Google News: Trader Joe’s
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