Located on Cleveland’s near west side, the Clark-Fulton neighborhood is one of the city’s most densely populated and ethnically diverse communities, including the highest concentration of Hispanics in the city.

The Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development (NEOHCED) is the umbrella organization for the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Business Center, and Hispanic Community Development. NEOHCED is the lead organization for the redevelopment and placemaking initiative–La Villa Hispana. 

 

For ten years, this coalition of organizations has been working to achieve their vision of a community “hub” that celebrates the rich Latino heritage in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood, while fostering substantial economic growth. These grand visions have become a reality with the completion of CentroVilla25! The building, with over 32,000 square feet of space, is home to 20 microenterprises, including a food hall representing several Latin cultures and retail options. Jenice Contreras, the President and CEO of NEOHCED, excitedly shares, “You’ll smell it, taste it, feel it, experience everything that is CentroVilla 25 and what the vendors and the community bring.”

Investing in these spaces will draw people into the neighborhood and breathe new life into the soul of the community. The most valuable aspect of this project is supporting individuals already part of this community. HFLA is proud to have provided business loans to seven businesses settling into their new spaces in CentroVilla25. Five are food businesses, each boasting its own unique flavor, culture, and history. We are thrilled to witness the excitement on our borrowers’ faces as their dreams become a reality. 

 

Here is a listing of all the small business owners operating at CV25:

Realtor Joel Rodriguez Velez   – Real estate services

Antojitos Salvadoreños y Más   – Authentic Salvadoran food

Mine’Angel Collections   – Handcrafted jewelry

Tumbao58   – Venezuelan eats with bold flavor

Flying Pig Tacos  – Mexican street-style tacos

Sazón Latino   – Classic Cuban dishes

Panitos   – Salvadoran pastries & breads

Café Roig   – Puerto Rican coffee & sweets

JirehBoutique   – Trendy clothing & accessories

Alnairis’s Custom Design  – Custom tumblers & gifts

Lebeni.Esthetic LLC    – Facials & body care

Vintage & Vaina – Collectibles, games & toys with retro flair!

 

Marie Narvarro is quick to tell you how excited she is to see her business, Tumbao55, take off. Coming to the US in 2020, she decided to take her passion for cooking to the next level.

She has loved interacting with the community at large, finding that she had no choice but to learn about the foods, behaviors, and general cultures of the new space she was inhabiting. As much as she is loyal to Venezuela, her home country, interacting with the various Latino communities here in Cleveland has allowed her to appreciate the vast diversity of foods available, broadening her mind and palate. “Every country has its secret, its flavors. It’s not competition, it’s like ‘Oh, I want to share’.” Tumbao is her chance to give a little slice of home to every customer who comes in. 

“HFLA was the light at the end of the tunnel,” Marie said with a smile. She had saved up enough money to feel like she had the foundation for her business, and noted that luckily, HFLA believed in her and became the final step in making her dream come true. “Everything is very exciting.” 

She’s grateful for organizations like HBC and Jumpstart for giving the Latino community resources to get ahead. “We are raising our voices, and they’re seeing we have the strength to be a part of this community too and help develop this country in the best way possible.”

 

Watch Marie’s full interview with HFLA’s Development Associate Alexis Paredes here.

 

The grand opening for CentroVilla is May 31st! Find tickets for all their events here!

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: May 30th, 10 AM

Inaugural Gala: May 30th, 6 PM

Sabor y Ritmo Festival: May 31st, 1 PM

 

CentroVilla Hours:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday – Saturday: 8 AM – 8 PM

Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM