Malvern-Mercer - Shaker Heights, OH Area Guide

In the early 1900s, Shaker Heights was discovered by the Van Sweringen brothers, who were looking to build a suburban community outside of the industrial parts of Cleveland. Since then, the Malvern-Mercer neighborhood became the largest throughout Shaker Heights due to its convenient location in proximity to the city.

Locals have pride in their football team, the Cleveland Browns, for good reason: the National Football League (NFL) was first formed in a suburb of Cleveland in the 1920s. Cleveland has also been dubbed as the “Home of Rock N’ Roll,” due to the fact that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum can also be found here.

Ethnic restaurants rub shoulders with traditional American diners to provide on-the-go locals with a different pick for every day of the week. Whether you want a kid-friendly casual restaurant or an upscale eatery, you'll find plenty in Malvern-Mercer. For example, The Saffron Patch on Chagrin Boulevard serves their food buffet style, which makes dining out with young, picky eaters easy and fun. Kids and adults can both browse through an assortment of authentic Indian foods, cooked with flavorful spices and regional preparations.

For a quick pick-me-up, head over to Juma, also on Chagrin Boulevard. The coffeehouse serves guests with coffee and food from all over Cleveland, thanks to local partnerships with producers like Rising Star Coffee and the Cleveland Tea Revival. While it appears to be a long hallway of small chairs and tables at first glance, there’s actually plenty of dine-in space. Bright, local art covers the neutral walls for an artistic flair as you sip your favorite drink.

Gigi’s on Fairmount actually resides in Cleveland Heights, but sits a short, walk-friendly distance away from the Malvern-Mercer neighborhood proper. This award-winning wine bar and café allows guests to relax in a dimly lit environment while they enjoy fine wine. Snag a popular bruschetta board and grab a seat by the front window bench full of beautiful fun linens and pillows. If wine isn’t up your alley, there's also plenty of craft cocktails - locals love the cosmopolitans.

If you head to Lee Road, you'll find many pubs and lounges for some night time excitement. Gather with friends and visit Parnell's Pub, The BottleHouse Brewery Company, The Wine Spot, or one of the other late night places scattered along the same road.

Known as a streetcar suburb, minimal travel time on public transit is a big benefit to life in the area. Close to Cleveland’s city center and nearby the RTA Station, you can get nearly anywhere in the northernmost parts of Ohio with a quick hop on a bus.

When traveling by foot throughout Malvern- Mercer you can reach shops, pubs, parks and restaurants. If you don't own your own vehicle, Uber and local cab companies provide transportation on an on-call basis. Freedom to Go's headquarters sits in Shaker Heights and provides rides to the disabled, as well as large groups of people.

Personal vehicles are the main form of transportation used within the neighborhood. Close to nearly all major highways, commuting back and forth to Cleveland is relatively simple once you're behind the wheel, just take I-490 or I-77 to I-90 and you'll arrive in about about 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Cleveland Metroparks - an extensive park system throughout the area - provides exercise equipment and useful fitness tips along its wide walking and biking paths. Dog parks, picnic areas with grills, playgrounds, restrooms, nature centers, a zoo, and densely wooded areas are found throughout the Metroparks as well.

Nine different playgrounds are thoughtfully placed around the city. Thorton Park in particular proves a favorite among locals, with seasonal attractions that include swimming, skating and sledding, as well as private lessons and programs for children. The neighborhoods of Shaker Heights often hold meetings and put together events at Thorton Park such as Valentine’s Day concerts and DJ skate nights.

The cost of living in Shaker Heights is comparable to the cost of living in downtown Cleveland. The Malvern-Mercer neighborhood’s average one bedroom rental stays at around $795 per month, while Cleveland’s average rental cost comes in at about $781 per month.

Uber provides rides to Cleveland for $17 when you take UberX, or you can jump on the Green Line at a RTA stop on Shaker Boulevard for about $2.25 one way. If you're taking your own vehicle, fuel averages at about 1.1 percent lower than the national average. For a cold pint from the pub, expect to pay about $5.

When you're in the mood to shop, Beachwood Place is the place to go. With high-end stores like Nordstrom and Williams-Sonoma, this mall has a little something for everyone with discerning tastes. If you'd like to shop outside of the mall, the neighborhood itself holds many specialty shops, drugstores and other retail spaces, ensuring lots of shopping choices without requiring a trip into Cleveland.

Just northeast of the neighborhood on Chagrin Boulevard, you'll find lots of interesting boutiques. Brigade sells stylish women and men’s clothing and accessories. With designer labels like Helmut Lang and a commitment to fresh stock, it's a fashion-lover's dream.

The Cleveland Running Co. on Van Aken Boulevard sells shoes, clothes and other athletic gear for running enthusiasts. Adidas, Puma, Sketchers, Northface, and many other popular labels fill the shelves, stocked by knowledgeable staff ready with recommendations for novices and marathoners alike.

The bulk of the area's grocery stores are found on Kinsman Road. Heinens, Giant Eagle, and a handful of seasonal farmers markets provide fresh produce, meat and other necessary grocery items. If you like to eat locally-grown foods, don't miss Shaker Square Market, Miles Farmers Market or Whole Foods Market for fresh produce, exotic imports and organic options.