South Euclid – The city’s plans to redevelop Cedar Center threaten to drive out Jewish-owned businesses that are vital to the surrounding community, merchants and others say.

Two kosher-food businesses and a Jewish bookstore are among more than 30 tenants that may move if South Euclid buys the landmark plaza near Cedar and Warrensville Center roads and sells it to a developer. Lawyers for the city and property owners say they have reached agreements that will settle an eminent domain lawsuit.

“A lot of stores we have patronized over the years will be gone and may never open again,” said Avner Freund of Cleveland Heights. “I think it’s a substantial loss to us as a community.”