Getting Around
The Rapid. http://www.gcrta.org/. The Rapid in Cleveland is not as widely used as subway/transit systems in many larger cities, but it can get you to areas that are inconvenient to reach by car, such as the airport or downtown spots. The rapid line Case sits along goes directly to the airport via Tower city so it is a great way to get to Indians, Browns and Cavaliers games as well as the Rock Hall, Flats and West Side Market, although you will have to transfer to other lines for some of these locations. It is a convenient way to get to the airport, if you can’t find a fellow student to drive you there. Each way is $1.50, but try to have exact change because there isn’t always someone manning the entrance to make change for you. As far as safety, traveling alone late at night would not be a good idea, especially for women, but during the day it’s no problem.
Groceries
Giant Eagle
Cedar Hill
12438 Cedar rd.
(216) 229-2620
The “Little Eagle” on Cedar is the closest grocery store to campus and has most everything you would need, but it tends to be ever-so-slightly pricier than Tops. Get the membership card for the most savings. Though it has a smaller selection than Tops, it has a great wine section and a lot more gourmet and organic options. There’s another (24-hour) Giant Eagle down Mayfield which is much larger, and then finally there’s the mother of all Giant Eagles in (where else) Legacy Village.
Marc’s
13883 Cedar Rd.
(216) 932-7272
4499 Mayfield Rd.
(216) 691-8988
This is a discount grocer located on both Cedar and Mayfield. They basically buy the excess from other supermarkets and sell things really cheap. You will need to use cash and the selection is variable, but you can usually get everything you need and save a lot of money in the process. The best deals are often on toiletries, shampoo, drugs etc. Caveat: the location of items is absolutely random.
Tink Holl
“Chinatown”
1735 E. 36th St.
(216) 696-1717
Recently moved to a much larger location, Tink Hall is a staple for Asian groceries, including fresh vegetables and seafood.
Tops
Severance Center
3628 Mayfield Rd.
(216) 291-2300
As for all grocery stores, get the Bonus card if you want to save money. It tends to be slightly cheaper than Giant Eagle, but it doesn’t always have as nice a selection of gourmet things and isn’t as pleasant. You can also try going to the new Tops on Cedar; it’s farther away (near the Target).
West Side Market
Ohio City
1979 W. 25th Street
(216) 664-3386
http://www.westsidemarket.com/
The West Side Market is hands down one of the coolest things in Cleveland. It’s a large market offering fresh flowers, fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, breads, spices, international foods, pasta and a million other exotic things and is divided into indoor and outdoor sections. It is open on Monday and Wednesday from 7-4 and on Friday and Saturday from 7-6. You can save a lot of money and have a lot of fun while getting some really good food. Produce can often be bought at less than half the price of a grocery store, and later in the day they tend to cut prices significantly. You can also haggle over prices with stand owners whose families have been selling there for generations.
The indoor market portion looks like an old train station with tile mosaics on the ceilings and you can hear most languages imaginable as Cleveland’s diversity seems to converge on this market, especially on the weekend. It seems to be dominated by meat sellers and bakers, but all sorts of foods are represented. The pasta is highly recommended—it’s $1 for a quarter pound, but the quality is outstanding.
If you plan to make a trip on Saturday, go really early if you want parking. Otherwise, there’s Rapid access.
Zagara’s
1940 Lee Rd.
(216) 321-7917
http://www.zagarasmarketplace.com/
This is a family-owned grocery store on Lee road. They have an outstanding selection of gourmet and organic foods, a good wine selection, large beer fridge, and even a state liquor store. Their produce is often better quality than some of the other stores. This place is slightly expensive, but often has amazing specials on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Bookstores
Matthews Medical Bookstore
9451 Euclid Ave.
(216) 229-6900
Matthew's Bookstore (on Euclid across from CCF) is a great medical bookstore. They are cheaper than the school bookstore, much more reliable than Leonardo's, and they have the schedule of classes so that they can reliably have all books in advance for students.
Borders
Severance Center
3466 Mayfield Rd.
(216) 291-8605
A popular place to study, this Borders has a large café section and a great selection of teas. They carry a wide variety of books and music but don’t really have many of the books you will need for school.
Joseph Beth
Legacy Village
24519 Cedar Rd.
(216) 691-7000
Huge multi-story bookstore, they also have an adjoining café and restaurant.
Campus Bookstore
There is a bookstore for the entire campus located in Thwing Student Center. There are a lot of other better options to purchase new books (Matthew’s, anything online) although the best deals are still obtained when purchasing books off of upperclassmen looking to clear out bookshelf space.
Leonardo’s Arts and Sciences
2250 Lee Rd.
(216) 321-9221
Leonardo’s is on Lee Rd. and offers better prices than the medical school bookstore. Multiple trips are sometimes in order, however, due to lack of supply.
Barbershops/Hairsalons
Adams Barber Shop
2245 Warrensville Cntr Rd.
(216) 321-8100
A great hair cut at a decent price is extremely rare in Cleveland. Fortunately, one exists. Near the new University Town Center on Warrensville Center Rd., Adams Barber Shop specializes in men’s haircuts at an affordable student discount. You’ll find Adam, the owner, there or one of his associates—they’re all very friendly and personable people. Appointments needed except on Saturdays.
Best Cuts
Severance
3626 Mayfield Rd.
(216) 382-2600
One of the cheapest places to get a haircut; quality is what you would expect for an $11 haircut or whatever the price is nowadays.
La Barberia Express
11308 Euclid Ave.
(216) 421-0560
La Barberia University Spa
12115 Mayfield Rd.
Cleveland, OH 44106
http://www.barberia.com/
A bit more expensive, La Barberia (locations at the Triangle and in Little Italy) will run you $27 (men) to $37 (women) but offer a $4 student discount. They do a good job and seem to be a fairly popular destination for students. Appointments are recommended. The University Spa in Little Italy is a bit larger and offers a couple more services. Their website lists their monthly specials.
Hair in Motion
2133 Murray Hill Rd.
216-721-0095
In Little Italy, in the middle of Murray Hill, this small salon offers more affordable prices than the nearby La Barberia. And, for your convenience, it accepts CaseCash.
Fast Eddy’s Chop Shop
1846 Coventry Rd.
216-371-4328
http://fasteddyschopshop.com/home/
Though further away, this unique hair cuttery provides some of the most affordable cuts for the quality. The décor, reminiscent of a bike shop, is probably the most unique for a Cleveland salon.
Places to Study
Starbucks
Cedar/Fairmount
12405 Cedar Rd.
(216) 229-5531
This is a Case Med institution! Any day of the week you can find at least half a dozen medical students cramming or chatting among other graduate students and professional types, so get there early for a seat near a plug for your laptop. Some medical students do most of their studying there. In fact, a recent Case Med graduate had a plaque placed on a chair in the store to commemorate his time spent there!
Arabica - University Circle (see campus map item #7)
11300 Juniper Rd.
(216) 791-0300
An outstanding locally owned and operated coffee house which also has food ranging from falafel to tiramisu on hand for the marathon studier. Arabica is actually housed in an old mansion and has two floors, two quiet study rooms and a great outdoor patio where live music and open mic nights go on throughout the warmer months. The music events can make the store a bit noisy for studying, however. Credit/debit card users beware, however: they only take cash, so load up your ID and use CaseCash.
Phoenix Coffee
2287 Lee Rd.
(216) 932-8227
Having gone wireless this year, you can now watch your lectures at 2x speed at Phoenix Coffee, slacker.
Borders
Severance Center
3466 Mayfield Rd.
(216) 291-8605
With a large café section, this Borders is far enough from campus that you aren’t likely to run into any fellow distracting students.
Algebra T House:
2136 Murry Hill Rd.
(216) 421-9007
http://www.algebrateahouse.com/
A funky, laid back tea house, Algebra T House is the perfect oasis for when you can’t stand studying around med students in the library. This art gallery / tea / coffee / cafe is an eclectic mix of people, foods, drinks and artwork by Ayman. It also boasts wireless access faster than what you’ll find at Case and has very unique tea and smoothies. On Wednesdays the owner makes his special couscous and has a bluegrass band come play.
Caribou Coffee
Coventry
1854 Coventry Rd.
(216) 321-5017
Far enough that you are not likely to see many classmates, this small coffeeshop has limited seating, yet it still attracts many locals who do work there.
Osiyo Tea House
Cedar/Fairmount
12433 Cedar Rd.
(216) 791-1100
This cozy little teahouse in Cedar/Fairmount serves almost 100 different teas for those who are tired of coffee. Pots come at just under $5 each, and pastries can be purchased to accompany the teas. Need a study break? Wander upstairs to the antique store.
Coventry Village Library
1925 Coventry Road
(216) 321-3400
At the corner of Coventry & Euclid Heights, this is a small library, so be prepared for limited availability of tables. Because many moms bring their kids here during the day, it might not be as quiet as you’d hope.
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