East 4th Street in Cleveland, originally known as Sheriff Street until 1905, has been a vital artery of the city’s economic and cultural life for over 150 years. Stretching from Euclid Avenue to what was once Eagle Avenue, this narrow street has witnessed significant transformations, reflecting Cleveland’s dynamic history.
In its early days, the southern end of East 4th Street Cleveland, near the intersection of Woodland Road, Broadway, and Eagle Avenues, was a bustling hub of commerce. This area was home to the Central Market, established in 1867 near Ontario, Woodland, and Broadway. At its peak, Central Market hosted up to 200 vendors, but its outdated facilities led to its closure by 1890. The Sheriff St. Market emerged as its successor in 1891, quickly becoming Cleveland’s largest market for over two decades. A fire in 1930 led to the demolition of most of the Sheriff St. Market, with the remaining structure serving as storage until 1950. In 1950, a new Central Market was established on the original site, but facing suburban migration and financial challenges, it eventually closed in the late 1980s. This area was then redeveloped into the Gateway District, now home to Progressive Field and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, reshaping the southern end of East 4th Street. Today, the street’s southern end terminates at Huron Avenue, with parking lots occupying the stretch between Prospect and Huron Avenues.
Alt text: Historic black and white photograph showcasing the bustling Central Market in Cleveland, a precursor to the modern East 4th Street entertainment district, depicting horse-drawn carts and numerous market stalls.
East 4th Street Cleveland gained cultural prominence around 1875 with the opening of the Euclid Avenue Opera House at its intersection with Euclid Avenue. The street became a haven for performers, with costume shops like the Krause Costume Co. catering to visiting artists. Krause Costume Co. also housed Otto Moser’s restaurant, a beloved spot for actors that remained a fixture on East 4th Street for an impressive 105 years. An underground tunnel even connected Otto Moser’s basement to the Opera House, adding to the street’s theatrical charm. Numerous entertainment venues, such as the White Elephant Theater and Grebe’s Rathskeller, further solidified East 4th Street’s reputation as a cultural destination.
Alt text: Vintage image of the grand Euclid Avenue Opera House in Cleveland, situated at the corner of East 4th Street and Euclid Avenue, illustrating the street’s historical significance as an entertainment hub.
As the 20th century began, vaudeville theaters proliferated near East 4th Street. However, the decline of vaudeville in the late 1920s brought about a transformation. East 4th Street Cleveland transitioned into a district primarily composed of office buildings, restaurants, and retail stores. The Euclid Avenue Opera House was demolished in 1922 and replaced by an S. S. Kresge store. Nearby were McCrory’s and F. W. Woolworth’s five-and-dime stores, along with furniture and provision businesses, demonstrating the street’s adaptability to changing commercial trends.
Despite the economic challenges of the Great Depression and the dwindling number of theaters, East 4th Street Cleveland remained a resilient commercial area for decades. Small, family-run businesses, from dental practices to clothing retailers, established themselves on the street. Advertisements from the era highlight the everyday commerce, such as the Victory Store selling walnut beds for $18.95 in 1945 and Farmer’s Pride poultry store promoting eggs for 54 cents a dozen in 1950. In 1954, the Cotton Club, later renamed the Modern Jazz Room in 1957, opened at the corner of E 4th St. and Huron Rd., hosting jazz legends like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich, and Dave Brubeck, adding another layer to the street’s cultural tapestry.
Alt text: Photograph of the Cotton Club sign in Cleveland, later known as the Modern Jazz Room, a landmark on East 4th Street that hosted iconic jazz musicians, emphasizing the street’s musical heritage.
From the 1950s onwards, East 4th Street Cleveland experienced a period of decline. Over the next thirty years, businesses catering to different needs emerged, including beauty supply stores, wig shops, affordable clothing outlets, and check-cashing services, replacing some of the traditional family-oriented establishments. Adding to the street’s eclectic mix, fortune teller Madam Olga set up shop in a former barbershop, and King’s Pawnshop became a fixture of the local economy.
The revitalization of East 4th Street Cleveland began in the 1990s, coinciding with the development of the Gateway complex, which attracted large crowds to the area by 1994. During this resurgence, Bob Zimmer began showcasing Negro League Baseball artifacts in his family’s East 4th jewelry store in 1997. Initially intended as a temporary exhibit, its popularity led to the creation of a dedicated museum. This collection eventually became part of the Baseball Heritage Museum after the renovation of League Park in 2014.
A new chapter for East 4th Street Cleveland unfolded with the opening of Nick Kostis’ Pickwick and Frolic Restaurant and Comedy Club in 2002 and chef Michael Symon’s relocation of his acclaimed Lola Bistro from Tremont to East 4th in 2005. These establishments sparked a wave of new restaurants and bars, transforming the street into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly destination. Today, East 4th Street remains one of Cleveland’s most sought-after locations, offering resident apartments, a thriving dining and nightlife scene, and popular entertainment venues like Pickwick, House of Blues, and The Corner Alley. East 4th Street Cleveland stands as a testament to the enduring spirit and constant evolution of Cleveland, a historic street that continues to reinvent itself while retaining its central role in the city’s life.
