By Min. Dale Edwards, Executive Director, Call & Post
CLEVELAND — Burt Saltzman, the visionary entrepreneur who transformed a single neighborhood grocery into the beloved Dave’s Markets chain and became a trusted friend of Cleveland’s Black press, has died at the age of 88. His passing marks the end of an era for local business, community journalism, and neighborhood life across Greater Cleveland.
Saltzman’s journey began humbly in 1939, when his family opened a small store on Cleveland’s East Side. Through perseverance, innovation, and a deep respect for the communities he served, that modest operation grew into Dave’s Markets — a local grocery institution known for quality products, fair prices, and a genuine commitment to neighborhood customers. At a time when national chains were abandoning urban centers, Saltzman doubled down on Cleveland, believing that strong neighborhoods deserved strong stores.
Beyond his business success, Saltzman shared a close and enduring relationship with The Call & Post, Cleveland’s historic Black newspaper. He was a consistent supporter of the paper’s mission to inform, uplift, and advocate for the African American community.
Long before “corporate social responsibility” became a catchphrase, Saltzman understood the importance of Black-owned media and stood as a partner to The Call & Post, offering advertising support, friendship, and a listening ear.
“Burt Saltzman believed in our paper and in our people,” said Dale Edwards of The Call & Post. “He understood that a community is more than customers — it is voices, stories, and shared history.”
Saltzman was known not only as a savvy businessman but as a man of warmth and integrity. Store managers and employees often spoke of his hands-on leadership style and his habit of walking the aisles, greeting workers and customers by name. He created jobs, mentored young people, and quietly supported countless community initiatives, never seeking the spotlight.
His death is deeply felt throughout Cleveland, particularly among those who valued his loyalty to local institutions like The Call & Post. As the city mourns, so too does a newspaper that counted Saltzman as more than an advertiser — he was a friend.
Burt Saltzman leaves behind a powerful legacy of service, entrepreneurship, and community partnership. His influence will continue to be felt in every Dave’s Markets store, every neighborhood he invested in, and every page of local journalism he helped sustain.
He will be greatly missed, but his life’s work stands as a lasting testament to what it means to build not just a business, but a community.
