A Place to Grow: CentroVilla25 Blooms
- Ronaldo Rodriguez Jr.
- Aug 6
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 15
The ribbon-cutting for CentroVilla25 on the weekend of May 30 was more than a grand opening. It was a celebration of heritage, hope, and homegrown leadership. Hundreds gathered in Cleveland’s La Villa Hispana to witness the unveiling of the city’s newest cultural and economic hub. Among the guests were Mayor Ángel “Luigi” Torres Ortiz of Yauco, Puerto Rico. Pastor José Reyes of Iglesia Nueva Vida and Father Mark Riley of St. Michael the Archangel blessed the building — underscoring the project’s deep roots in both faith and diaspora.
The once-vacant warehouse is now home to a thriving community marketplace, incubator, and cultural gathering space. Officially opened in May 2025, CentroVilla25 represents more than a decade of organizing and investment led by the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Business Center and shaped by Clark-Fulton residents every step of the way.
As the largest Latino-focused redevelopment in Ohio, the project transformed a vacant warehouse into a two-story hub for Latino entrepreneurship. The first floor includes an aromatic food hall, micro-retail stalls, a commercial kitchen, and a flexible plaza for performances, pop-ups, and outdoor events. Upstairs, nonprofit offices and meeting rooms provide space for services and support systems rooted in the neighborhood.
More than a commercial center, CV25 is designed to lower the barriers for local entrepreneurs. Tenants benefit from affordable rents and access to business coaching through programs like JumpStart’s Impacto, now held on-site. The approach blends economic opportunity with cultural ownership, inviting residents to help shape, and directly benefit from, the future of their own neighborhood.
Initial vendors range from established favorites to new ventures, including a panadería, artisans, and a popular realtor. A full-service bar and traditional mercado are in the works, expanding the site’s role as both a destination and daily resource.
CentroVilla25 is projected to generate nearly $15 million in economic activity each year, along with approximately 100 jobs. For many, its value isn’t measured in dollars, but in the way the space reflects identity, celebrates heritage, and offers a platform for community-led growth.
Hours of Operation
Tuesday–Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
For updates on events and new vendors, sign up for the CV25 newsletter at cv25.org.
