Michelle and Josh Huskins
photo by Erin Gulling
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SOUTHERN-STYLE FARMHOUSE
| photo by Erin Gulling
by COLIN BAKER
Personal Investment
Home prices spike in Akron.
Akron has suddenly found itself near the top of the charts for home price growth. Honestly, it surprises me. For most of the years I’ve owned property here, it felt like we were stuck in slow motion. Appreciation wasn’t just slow — it was practically nonexistent.
Now, according to a Portland Real Estate study, Akron has the fastest home price growth in Ohio in the first half of 2025, with a 31 percent jump in median values from January to June. The study looked at house price data across all states for the first half of 2025, and Ohio has the second highest house price increase in the country, with an 18 percent rise. That puts Akron near the top of the nation for house price increase. For a city that’s used to crawling along when it comes to housing prices, that kind of increase feels almost surreal.
But here’s the thing: I’m not sure there’s any real joy in watching prices soar. If you’re trying to buy, affordability slips further and further away. And if you’re trying to sell, sure, you can walk away with more cash — but unless you’re making a major downsizing move, it often feels like a sideways step. You get more, but you also pay more. Every so often, I get my Zillow report in my inbox and start daydreaming. Maybe I should just cash out, sell the house and rent an apartment. Pocket the difference, live without the maintenance and let someone else worry about the furnace breaking or the roof leaking. Still, I’ve never looked at my primary residence as an investment. To me, a home is a necessity, not a stock. Remodeling projects? I’ve always believed you should do them because you want to enjoy them — not because you think you’ll get every dollar back when you sell. Now, I’m not saying there isn’t value in locking in a mortgage payment and protecting yourself from rising rents. That’s one of the biggest benefits of owning. The moment property values start climbing, politicians see dollar signs — and reassessments follow. Suddenly, what used to feel like a fixed cost isn’t quite so fixed. For years, my property taxes in Northeast Ohio stayed fairly flat. Recently, though, that’s changed — and not in a good way. It’s clear that shelter has gotten more expensive around here, and I don’t see that trend reversing anytime soon. If you’re young and thinking about buying, my advice is simple: Find something you can afford, commit to the payment, and hang onto it. Over time, markets always correct. You don’t have to buy the perfect house. You just need a place to start. At the same time, I get why renting looks attractive. There’s something appealing about not worrying about mowing the lawn, raking the leaves or shoveling snow. You just live, and somebody else takes care of the problems. There’s a certain beauty in that freedom. So here we are. Akron is one of the fastest-growing housing markets in the country, at least for now. Whether you’re buying, selling or renting, the real value of a home isn’t measured in real estate reports or price charts. It’s in having a place that feels right for you — whatever stage of life you’re in.
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ERIN GULLING
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JAMES BIGLEY II
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ABBY KRESS fall 2025 | volume 7 | issue 2
33O HOMES is published by Baker Media Group, LLC, 1653 Merriman Road, Suite 116, Akron, OH 44313. Copyright 2025© by Baker Media Group, LLC, All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited without written permission. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by an addressed envelope and sufficient postage. Baker Media Group, LLC and Akron Life accept no responsibility for unsolicited material. Subscription rates: Continental U.S., One year —$19.95, Two years —$34.95. Call for Alaska, Hawaii or international rates. Single issues available by calling the circulation department or visiting akronlife.com/store. $4.95 each plus $3.50 shipping & handling. Editorial, advertising and business offices: (330) 253-0056, fax (330) 253-5868. a supplement to Akron
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Factory Authorized Dealer
by JAMES BIGLEY II and photos by JASON PIRTLE AND JEN LOPEZ
Story Teller
Nature merges with luxury in this complete den overhaul.
SPACE LIFT
The ordinary became extraordinary in this Hudson den. Originally, a wooden desk sat in the center of an office that resembled a hotel business suite. A simple drum pendant lamp hung over raised olive-striped carpeting. The homeowner wanted to transform the room's feel and functionality.
“He wanted to renovate the office to go from a home office to more of a casual den and asked that it have a dark, cozy and masculine feel to it,” says designer Jen Lopez, owner of Jen Lopez Design. “He also wanted this to feel like a place his wife and two daughters could join him and relax.”
The redesign spanned 15 months, largely due to the wait for commissioned artwork. Lopez stripped away
the carpeting and laid down a latticed parquet floor, with an interwoven pattern shifting between light and dark tones. Her team took down the textured ceiling, smoothed it out and installed subtle overhead lighting that could be adjusted with a dimmer. Cutting Edge Construction seamlessly managed the project's construction process from concept to completion. Curtains were replaced with custom shutters by Timan & Co. A bookcase from McNeill’s Cabinetry & Floors replaced an older unit. The bookcase, shutters and walls were painted in Sherwin-Williams' Caviar.
“The whole vibe of the room is quiet luxury,” says Lopez. “When you pause and you take in the textures — the artwork, the materials and the
lighting, even the objects styled on the shelves — every detail was chosen with intention and reflects the client's appreciation for refinement without pretense.”
SOPHISTICATED SEATING
Lopez layered in furnishings that offer both maximum comfort and subtle nods to the homeowners’ love for nature and hunting. An oversized chair provides spacious seating — with a feathered pillow — alongside a mohair sofa made with fabric from the silken hair of Angora goats. A mahogany chair with hair-on-hide leather and antique steel nailheads sits stoically in front of a small desk near the entrance.
MOOD LIGHTING
The Urban Electric flushmount fixture in the ceiling provides just the right amount of ambient lighting without overpowering the space. In fact, every light in the room — from recessed lighting in the ceiling and shelving to the
Urban Electric polished nickel and milk glass sconces — runs on a dimmer and intentionally fades into the background. “The design detail and the materials in those fixtures will take your breath away,” says Lopez.
MOVING PORTRAIT
The 60-by-80-inch painting of a racehorse at full gallop took nearly a year to complete. Lopez commissioned the artwork from Santa Fe artist Lex Lucius, who created the acrylic, ink and gesso piece on wood panel based on photographs of the homeowner’s horse, Catiche, during a Kentucky race. “Anytime I commit to a project, I try to get to know the client at a level that I understand what their interests are, the things that are important to them and the travels they've taken, for example, so that when we style their space, those furnishings are very intentional and personal," Lopez says. “The painting is an heirloom piece for sure. Every member of the family played a role in its creation — capturing photos, sharing stories and guiding the details for the artist — making it deeply personal and profoundly meaningful."
CALLS OF NATURE
Natural touches weave throughout the entire room. The shelves showcase midcentury ram’s horn and brass candlesticks, a vintage 1970s Gucci silver-plated hound stirrup cup and a 1962 Pebble Beach stirrup cup adorned with a silver-and-huntergreen equestrian award medallion. A thin animal hide rug also captures attention beneath an espresso coffee table. While inspired by others, the table was also a true collaboration between Lopez and Hudson craftsman Russell Kieselbach to get it just right. It seemingly floats on four enormous aluminum spheres painted by Faux Elegance to look like brass. “There’s not one detail we didn’t fully embrace,” says Lopez. “The collection of pieces in this room form a narrative — a reflection of his life.”
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by CAMERON GORMAN and photos by ANDREW JORDAN
Contemporary style meets farmhouse charm in this total home remodel.
DREAM HOME
Anthony Slabaugh and his wife, Faye, always wanted to live on a farm.
“You get to a point in your life where you’re like, I just want to have my final place where I can make it how I want,” says Anthony, president of Anthony Slabaugh Remodeling & Design. “We’ve talked about it our entire marriage.”
Childhood trips to Hale Farm & Village and watching “Little House on the Prairie” — it all led to a desire for a slower, more intentional life.
“It just seems like the most idyllic setting for family and eventually grandkids,” adds Faye.
So, after living in Stow for 20 years, the Slabaughs moved to their dream property in Seville in 2021.
While its exterior features — such as a bank barn from the 1860s, an old milk house, hand-carved sandstone water troughs and more — were perfect, the property’s dated warm wood farmhouse wasn’t exactly their style. Still, it had solid bones — and was large enough to accommodate their family of six.
“The exaggerated woodwork, the trim — anything about an old house, I just love,” says Faye. “This house happened to have the wonderful features of an old house but also had an addition that made it perfect for the size family that we have.”
Right after they moved in, the Slabaughs began remodeling the home — utilizing the same process available to a typical Slabaugh customer. They
enlisted the help of Slabaugh designer Nick Boka — remodeling the home to fit their Earth-toned, transitional farmhouse-style vision and uniting vintage charm and modern functionality.
“It’s rare that we walk into a project in the very beginning and just say, This is what you should do. This is the vision It takes collaborating between the homeowner, an interior designer, the architectural designer,” Anthony says.
The project stretched over the next three to four years. Anthony sketched out changes, while Boka modeled them in an architectural design software. Boka also assisted in selecting materials from the Slabaugh design center.
“I use our design software called Chief Architect to help our clients visualize the space as we’re making selections of fixtures, colors and patterns, and looking at different options for layouts of cabinetry, even furniture,” says Boka. “That way, our clients have the most cohesive or collected concept for what space that we’re designing at that point in time.”
By July 2025, the project was completed.
Step through the front door of the farmhouse, and you’re greeted by a rich oak staircase, original to the home. It complements the oak used in molding throughout the front hall, including in pillars that frame the entrance to a sitting room painted entirely in a moody, dark blue.
Anthony coffered the ceiling in the room, which already boasted builtin bookcases, adding depth to its monochromatic palette.
“Something that is becoming more common in this era … is thinking of the ceiling as the fifth wall,” says Boka. “Choosing to use the ceiling and recognize the ceiling as another canvas to make a room feel even more cohesive, to pull off a certain vibe.”
Now, contrasting with maximalist gold frames, a crystal-drip chandelier and camel-colored leather armchairs, the room is both relaxing and quietly
baroque — its upscale feel juxtaposed by a cowhide rug.
“I just love the idea of gallery walls and old vintage mirrors and that whole vibe,” says Faye. “It feels like you should have a cigar in there.”
Take the stairs up to second-floor living spaces, including a primary suite, three bedrooms and a kid’s bathroom. (As well as a third-floor finished attic with two bedrooms and built-in desks.) The primary suite features a four-poster bed and high-gloss paint, meant to create the illusion of a higher ceiling. Its bathroom showcases a neutral palette, with an encausticpatterned, navy gray-and-white floor — which extends into a zero-clearance shower, great for aging in place — and a custom navy blue engineered quartz-topped double vanity cabinet with brushed brass hardware.
“Engineered quartz tends to be one of the most, if not the most, durable and low-maintenance countertop option on the market, especially if you’re looking more for a white, marble-looking countertop,” says Boka.
The kid’s bathroom, meanwhile, boasts large white subway tile in the shower and on the walls, as well as a hexagonal Carrara tile on the floor and in the shower.
“It lends well to that more vintage vibe, that farmhouse sort of feel,” says Boka. “Having the small hex mosaic on the floor and then the larger subway tile on the walls … it is more of a contemporary rendition of a very retro vintage look.”
Part of the home’s original red brick chimney is exposed in this bathroom, offering a pop of color and texture.
“It’s this fun moment,” Boka says, “and it also harkens back to when this home was built.”
Downstairs, the dining room has a more primitive style, with Sherwin-Williams' Black of Night-painted wainscoting, a built-in cabinet with antique brass
CLOSER LOOK
Coffee Station
A coffee station is hidden in the kitchen’s dark green cabinetry, near the continuation of the exposed red brick chimney. It allows for easy morning access — and a clean, camouflaged look when not in use.
“That was a must-have, also, the coffee bar. Because someone, somewhere along the way of our 27 years of being married, got real coffee snobby,” jokes Faye Slabaugh. “Now we can’t have normal coffee. We have to have espresso.”
Pocket doors slide open, revealing a walnutbacked station, complete with cup storage and a double brushed brass hardware sink — as well as space for a Breville espresso machine — on the marble countertop.
“It is well-used. It is a very good use of space,” Faye says. “You’re making lattes for everyone that comes over. … If you’re a coffee person, highly recommend that.”
hardware and a black wrought iron-style chandelier. Pass through a swinging oak butler door into the heart of the home — its kitchen.
“We do a lot of cooking. We try to eat very clean. We had our own cattle, so grass-fed beef, we have a garden, a greenhouse … we have chickens, so we have fresh eggs every day,” says Faye. “When people come over, all the kids are sitting at the table, I’m cooking, he’s cooking or the kids are helping us, and you’re still all together. … Even if you’re on the couch, sitting by the fire, you’re still with the same people that are in the kitchen.”
Crowned by Amish-made dark green-painted maple cabinets and reclaimed barnwood beams, the kitchen feels both vintage and contemporary. Calacatta marble countertops echo the marble backsplash.
“They just fell in love with the look of actual, natural marble,” says Boka. “There’s nothing like it. Each slab has its own story to tell.”
Wood accents, such as an original pine door leading from the kitchen to the wraparound porch, culminate in a walnut range hood.
“There’s an old door in the kitchen that goes out to the wraparound porch. And I knew I was keeping that door no matter what. It’s beautiful. I love it,” says Faye. “I wanted to tie the floor with that door into the wood on the island and then somehow up. So, the range was one way to do that, and the beams were another way to do that, just to kind of tie it all together.”
The kitchen opens into a dining area with a white oak table, which then flows into the home’s great room. The centerpiece of this room is a large, natural stone fireplace with a reclaimed barn beam mantle, reflective of further beams that jut overhead. Already part of its design before the remodel, the stones for
this fireplace came from the farm property.
Behind the kitchen, step into an expansive butler’s pantry, complete with storage for serving dishes, canned goods, homemade honey, jarred sauces and more. A quartz-topped serving station, with a glazed ceramic mosaic backsplash and a mini fridge, allows guests to grab drinks before heading outside or down to the basement.
“It’s just a very useful area for a transition between the kitchen and the downstairs, where traffic flows,” says Faye.
The paneled ceiling hides an attic pull-out, while the flooring is a mix of three types of brick, arranged in a herringbone pattern. This unique flooring spills into a guest bathroom, as well as the laundry room, which is complete with painted maple cabinets and accessed through a Dutch oak door.
“I didn’t want it to be all red, so I mixed in a lot of lighter tones, grays and whites,” says Faye. “It came out gorgeous.”
The brick, like so many elements of the remodeled home, harkens back to the farmhouse’s past — creating the perfect mix of antique style and contemporary function.
“We wanted to upgrade and have some modern amenities and maybe even a transitional style that we pulled in. So, there’s some little bit of modern flair, but keeping with the old bones of the home so it looks like it belongs here,” Anthony says. “It really, really worked well.”
The Slabaughs now have goats, pigs, chickens and sheep — and love farm life.
“It’s beautiful. It’s calming. There’s always fun things to do,” Faye says. “We’re always working, but it’s fun work, like picking my tomatoes. It’s not hard — it’s wonderful. It’s relaxing, even though you’re constantly busy, constantly working. It’s a respite.”
by KELLY PETRYSZYN and photos by ERIN GULLING AND AMY CARRUTHERS
SMITHS CURATED brings together designer home goods with one-of-a-kind finds.
FRESH DESIGN
As its name suggests, every aspect of SMITHS CURATED — a furnishings and decor showroom with a boutique storefront — is handpicked.
“I wanted it to be experiential inside. When you walk in, you smell the aroma of candles. You hear the specific music. It creates more of an experience. We invite both clients and the general public to come and experience it and be inspired,” says Laura Yeager Smith, owner and creative director of SMITHS CURATED and principal designer at Laura Yeager Smith Home & Design studio. Both locations are on the same Hudson campus.
Opened in 2022, SMITHS CURATED's building was custom designed and matches Yeager Smith’s refined aesthetic with a two-story vaulted ceiling with wire-brushed pine beams in a custom stain, a trendy mezzanine accessed by stairs featuring a black
striped sisal runner, a stylish terrace with a woven pendant light and more. Inside, discover inspiration in curated vignettes, including those evoking Ralph Lauren — which showcases an American handcrafted camel leather track arm-style sofa with pewter nailhead accents and stained tapered block feet — and St. Helena, California — which features a blue stone-topped table with a rustic edge, a handmade antique lamp and an artsy couscous platter.
“Each vignette has its own identity,” Yeager Smith says. “My approach was to curate vignettes so that they were more shoppable. … It helps give you a visual of how to display it in your home.”
Personalize your home further with custom L Seven furnishings, including a caramel-and-cream boucle chair with a contrasting bourbon-colored leather welt, a sofa with white cushions flanking
Laura Yeager Smith
dark middle cushions and a 4-by5-foot over-under ottoman in a woven herringbone oatmeal-hued indoor-outdoor fabric. Find curated artworks, including an original piece of calligraphy matted on white linen and a papery three-dimensional floral piece on brown felt in an oak shadow box. Accent your space with decor, like a Moso Bamboo Voluspa candle, colorful Polish crystal glassware and more.
Shop by appointment or during events, such as the Luxe Living Event Nov. 6 to 21 — featuring a 25 percent off sale and elevated gifts, along with seasonal finds. Customers have plenty of reasons for a return trip.
“Over the past 25 years, I’ve built relationships with different brands. Then every year I go on sourcing trips to find both one-of-a-kind, unique pieces and deepen our breadth of resources,” Yeager Smith says. “It’s an ever-changing scene in here.” 48 Clinton St., Hudson, 330-6501949, laurayeagersmith.com
Pottery
A handmade vase from Morocco shines with varied glazing. Style It: Dress it up with faux burgundy spiky flora for fall. “That would be really great on either a kitchen island, a console in a foyer or a cocktail table,” Yeager Smith says. “The flora — you can mix it out seasonally. … It also looks beautiful empty.”
Rug
Browse a rack of vintage, one-of-a-kind handmade rugs, from countries such as Pakistan and India. “If you had a completely neutral space, this would really add a custom element to it,” she says. Style It: At under 2 feet long, these rugs are versatile. “It’s small enough to put in front of a kitchen sink, in a powder room in front of a sink or a laundry room, and it adds just a little color and kind of an acquired over time aesthetic,” Yeager Smith says. “It adds a little patina.”
Daybed
In a refined elegance-themed vignette, a woven windowpane plaid daybed sits in front of a floorto-ceiling black-paned window. Style It: In the showroom, it’s flanked with lightly patterned pillows and stacked trays with beads and faux white flowers. Yeager Smith says you can switch out pillows and throw blankets seasonally. “It could go at the foot of a bed in a large bedroom, or it could go in front of a fireplace in a large great room,” she says.
Pillows
Shop 50-plus L Seven custom-designed pillows, made locally in Cleveland and Akron with downfeather blend inserts. There are several 23-inch box pillows, including an indoor-outdoor one with a charcoal, blue and off-white pinstriped front and a solid back and welt in a charcoal fabric with denimcolor undertones. Another dusty blue velvet box pillow has an intricate tape trim. Style It: The velvet pillow adds elegance. “It’s a little more formal,” Yeager Smith says. “They’re a way to get a custom, more designer piece in your home at a lower price.”
by JAMES BIGLEY II and photos by ERIN GULLING
A designer realizes his dream farmhouse.
DREAM HOME
As an architectural designer and owner of Vesta Design, Josh Huskins has been helping others design their homes for more than 15 years. So, when it came time to build his own dream home for his wife, son and two daughters, he knew exactly what he wanted. He centered his 2,192-square-foot Southern-style farmhouse in Suffield Township around a poplar open staircase that feeds directly into the kitchen.
“Our stairs is what really started the entire design,” says Huskins, who hired Scott Strayer of Helen Scott Custom Builders in Barberton to build his dream home. “There are times where the kids will sit down on the steps while my wife, Michelle, is cooking, and we have conversations right here.”
Featuring round balusters and stained to match the home's kitchen cabinets and other wood accents, the stairs’ location makes the kitchen the heart of the home. “I wanted the stairs to be in the kitchen but not block too much,” says Huskins. “That’s why we opened up both sides of the stairway.”
Every morning, Michelle is pulled toward the coffee bar in the corner where they put in custom-built shelving to account for the height of an espresso machine. From the kitchen sink, she has a view of the expansive front yard and the long, winding drive in from the main road. Wherever you stand, there’s enough natural lighting to brighten the home for most of the day.
Michelle and Josh Huskins
“A lot of kitchens are toward the back of the house, but I wanted it out front,” says Michelle.
An expansive maple island with a low quartz countertop and four chairs at the center of the kitchen provides an unobstructed view of the living and dining rooms while doubling as a prep and service area. All of the cabinets, though inset, extend all the way to the ceiling, with a glossy ceramic subway tile backsplash and frost-colored grout. Even the smallest cabinets at the top have a specific function for displaying knickknacks and keepsakes behind seeded glass. Upper cabinet and under-cabinet lighting provides subtle ambiance after the sun sets.
This idea of form and function continues into the pantry. Completely hidden behind an Amish-built saloon door, it holds a butcher block countertop laden with small appliances and an extra refrigerator.
“I don’t like big, unused spaces,” says Huskins.
In the nearby mudroom, every family member has their own designated area where they can hang their jackets and bookbags with drawers and cubbies that hold shoes and other items year-round. It connects to a powder bath and creates a pathway perfect for kids running in and out of the house.
“I wanted a little bit of separation, almost like a family foyer area or separate locker space, where we don’t have to walk through a messy area to get to the half-bath,” says Huskins.
He’s put a lot of thought into the flow of the house. From the moment guests walk in the front door, they’re greeted by a dining room. A teardrop glistening chandelier hangs over a locally made table they purchased at an auction. Jeff Moore, owner of AAA Plastics & Pallets, built the wavy liveedge piece out of a maple tree from his yard.
On the other side of the staircase, the living room opens up under a cathedral ceiling with a central beam that matches the stained wood of the kitchen island. It cuts through the room
with perfect symmetry above a creamcolored stone fireplace. Three floorto-ceiling fixed-glass windows take up an entire wall, overlooking the covered concrete patio in the backyard, where the family spends their summer days lounging under ceiling fans that keep the bugs away.
“I wanted to be able to see outside everywhere I turned,” says Michelle. “There’s no one else out here, and it’s so quiet.”
Huskins’ love for symmetry continues into the primary bedroom, where a king-size bed takes up the center of the room — framed by matching nightstands beneath transom windows. Like the living room, the entire back wall has three fixed glass windows beneath wood paneling and a 10-foot tray ceiling.
“The tray ceiling gives it a little bit more of a grand feeling,” says Huskins. “It goes up into the trusses, so it doesn’t affect anything. It’s pretty minimal, but it’s enough to make this room feel more elaborate.”
In the primary bath, a maple linen cabinet acts as a barrier between his and her sinks. Smart mirrors offer temperature-controlled settings and subtle backlighting, softening the space. A laundry staging area is tucked off to the side. Much like the pantry, it provides a workspace that doesn’t muddle the limelight of the more open areas.
Huskins' daughters have their bedrooms on the second floor, each with a long, narrow walk-in closet and a shared bathroom. Fun features include a hidden crawlspace that connects the two rooms and a tiny nook where the girls can read and color.
“We had all this dead space and framing, so we decided to create a little reading nook for them,” says Huskins. He has similar ideas in mind for unfinished rooms in the basement.
He’s framed out a secret room that’ll connect his son’s bedroom with a special hangout area. He has also put in plumbing for a future wet bar and installed a second chimney flue in case they want to add another wood stove.
“Whenever I’m designing houses, I try to think of what you’re going to do down the road,” he explains. Lately, his attention has been pulled toward the 14-car garage. In recent months, he converted a small portion of it into what he calls “a little party room,” with a golf simulator. Some nights, the family sits out there and watches movies. Most of the time, though, the garage provides exorbitant space for a collection of outdoor equipment.
One-fourth of the garage is also dedicated to Michelle’s Hartville Honey processing room. She maintains 10 hives on the property, but oversees a total
of 500 hives with her business partner. The room holds an extractor, an industrial refrigerator and a warmer to keep the honey from crystallizing year-round. A rolling garage door at the back of the house allows in-and-out privileges without any hassle, and the entire room is lined with metal siding so it can easily be power washed.
“Last year, I had eight 55-gallon barrels of honey,” says Michelle. “This year, I hope to double that.”
Hive-inspired treasures, alongside other splashes of autumn, are touches Alicia Donald, owner of Hartville’s Dandelion Design & Décor, spread throughout the home. These items highlight Michelle’s passion for
CLOSER LOOK
Stone Fireplace
The stone fireplace in the living room is actually a wood stove insert, powerful enough to heat the entire house during winter. It allows the Huskinses to cut back on propane and electricity.
“We knew power outages in the area were common, so we wanted to be prepared ahead of time,” says Michelle Huskins. “If something happens, we need a way to heat the house, and that’s our primary source of heat. We’re constantly chopping and splitting wood.”
The raised hearth provides additional ledge seating for the family while they relax and watch deer graze
mere feet away through the backyard windows.
At a glance, the mantle underneath the TV provides a space that can be decorated yearround and appears wooden. It’s actually a concrete beam painted to look like wood to match the beam overhead and the kitchen island.
“Nobody is ever able to tell that it’s not real wood,” says Josh Huskins. “Anytime you have a wood burning fireplace, you can’t have your mantle very close to it because it can catch fire. Having a concrete beam offers a solution that also fits in with the rest of the design.”
beekeeping throughout the home. A bee skep, woven together with small twigs, sits on a small heirloom console between the half-bath and the mudroom, surrounded by a small golden wreath. A list of “hive rules” — littered with bee puns — hangs on an adjacent wall.
“She blended her expertise with my taste to create a home I absolutely love,” says Michelle. “She has such talent for design and a thoughtful way of working.”
Elsewhere, design elements make a significant impact. Tucked away on the wall inside Huskins' office, there’s an authentic cow skull from Skull Bliss that was hand-carved in Bali. Intricately designed with painstaking detail, it captures Huskins' love of nature. Its stark white surface stands out against the midnight-black paint that saturates the space with depth and intensity.
“The money from these goes toward feeding local people,” says Huskins. “We found them online and thought it would look cool in a more masculine, dark room.”
Out front, the wraparound concrete porch is an homage to Southern living with six white columns and two identical porch swings on end. Between them, three rocking chairs sit beneath a haint blue ceiling — as if they’re inviting guests to stay awhile.
By marrying modern elegance with country living, the home is just one of several dreams the Huskinses continue to make a reality.
“It was really special for us that Josh got to design our house, and we had the ability to build a custom home,” says Michelle. “It holds that much more weight in the I love my home factor. For it to come to fruition was a very surreal and exciting experience, and there’s no one else I’d rather have design our home than Josh.”
by JAMES BIGLEY II and photos by ERIN GULLING
A sunlit family room becomes an airy space to mingle.
SPACE LIFT
Located on a hilltop overlooking an expansive backyard, the bright, sunlit family room — with floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides — of a Silver Lake center hall colonial already had a lot going for it. But the homeowners wanted to make the transitional space at the back of the house more of a focal point for social gatherings. To reinvigorate it, they recruited interior designer Becky Harrell of Chez-Del Interiors, who previously redesigned their bedrooms, dining area and formal living room.
“Every year, they have this amazing Christmas party with up to 80 people in their home,” says Harrell.
“They invite all walks of life, from the very staunch to the really fun. So, we really wanted to maximize that living space.”
Harrell didn’t need to reinvent the entire makeup of the room. Instead, she focused on creating functional flow by opening the space, lightening up the area and maximizing seating.
Hosting Hues
“Even though there are all those windows, that room sometimes gets really dark because of an overhang and the way the house sits,” says Harrell. So she started her redesign from the ground up. Soft, charcoal blue carpeting provides depth to an already spacious room. An Oriental area rug sits off-kilter, popping with blues, tans and red-orange tones. Blue accents run like a river through the entire space, from soft-hued pillows to decorative bowls and ballooned glass vases.
Central Space
Harrell pulled the furniture toward the middle of the room. A midnightblue Wesley Hall ottoman floats like an island at the center, surrounded by a large cream sectional. A baby blueand-white-striped swivel chair accents this centerpiece while providing a rotational 360-degree perspective. Behind the couch, a champagnecolored shelving unit — with a gypsum stone top — seamlessly blends in. “You never want to see the back of a sofa when you walk into a room like that, so those shelves camouflage,” says Harrell. “We had to float the furniture because we didn’t want to obstruct the beauty of that outdoor space.”
In the Mix
When you play host to a variety of guests, it helps to diversify your options. An industrial-size brew pub table anchors one corner of the room, complete with floating barstools and a decorative bird cage filled with a variety of textured, yellow ornaments. Even in natural lighting, they appear to glow, capturing the eye. Two blueand-white checkered love seats form a more intimate gathering spot nearby.
Striking Function
A three-door, 6-foot-long Sanctuary Bien Ame buffet from Hooker Furniture acts as dynamic storage and tabling in the corner for guests to use while they eat, drink and make merry. Decorative black and gold floral hardware stands out on this piece, where the wood has been purposely distressed to reveal a soft, honey tone patina. Across the room, a fourdrawer, aquamarine console from Hooker Furniture showcases the same worn-down, old-world charm. “Each of these pieces look like an antique,” says Harrell. “They take a tool and rub out the finish so the natural brown of the wood really comes through.”
PLACE S | E V ENTS | ADVENTURES
DOWNTOWNLivingAKRON
Main photo: Ramahn Wilder; ribbon photos: Ramahn Wilder, Dale Dong, Evan Laux, Chris Rutan & DAP staff
With views of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Akron Civic Theatre and Akron RubberDucks stadium — plus walking and biking trails and a fitness center — the 15-story Canal Square Lofts offers several great amenities and a prominent downtown Akron location.
These aspects and more make the building ideal for 23-year-old resident Sarah Oschman, who works as a barista at Nervous Dog Coffee Bar. The Akron native graduated from The University of Akron in May 2024 and moved into Canal Square Lofts in September 2024 with her husband, who works for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and was already living in the unit. Living in the high-rise is enjoyable for the two as it is close to their workplaces, is part of a lively downtown scene, is affordable and offers walkability — just to name a few reasons.
“We had some friends that lived in the building too, and they loved it, so they recommended that he get an apartment here,” Oschman says.
by CLAIRE DUBER and
by MAL MCCREA
been going there since I was a kid. My parents have always brought us to downtown Akron, to the [Akron] Civic [Theatre], and we would always go to Lockview before going to the Civic for a show. We love going to
Lockview with friends — good drinks, good food, there’s never a long wait, so that’s always a plus.
WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND LIVING IN DOWNTOWN AKRON?
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE DOWNTOWN AKRON RESTAURANTS?
Sarah Oschman: I really like El Patrón [Tequilería & Cuisine], we’ll go there for happy hour to get their margs, salsa and guac. Also, Lockview, I’ve
CANAL SQUARE LOFTS
SO: There’s tons of restaurants downtown. There’s always events going on, and it’s close to the highway. Right on the backside of Bowery you can just jump on … [Interstate] 76, and then Route 8 is like a 5-minute drive, so it’s just really accessible. I feel safe here, I have gated parking, which is definitely a plus, so I never have to worry about that. And too, because everything’s walkable, if I can just leave my car in my parking spot, I can walk to everything.
WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND CANAL SQUARE LOFTS TO SOMEONE WITHIN YOUR AGE DEMOGRAPHIC?
The rent is very affordable. Our unit is really unique, it’s two floors, and it’s lofted. We have two bedrooms upstairs and a bathroom, and then downstairs we have a massive kitchen and a living room. … Also, there’s a lot of young people in the building, so for us, a lot of our friends also live in the building. We can just go up one floor and see our friends.
Living Spaces: One- and two-bedroom apartments for rent // Amenities: Dogs and cats allowed, package delivery, controlled access, maintenance on-site, security system, courtesy and video patrol, recycling, dry cleaning service, walk-in closets, hardwood floors, fitness center, bike storage, social lounge and more 1 Canal Square Plaza, Akron, 330-620-1059, canalsquarelofts.com
Canal Square Lofts gives barista Sarah Oschman easy access to a vibrant life.
photos
by CAMERON GORMAN and ABBY KRESS photo by MAL MCCREA
Cybersecurity engineer David Aleshire embraces city life at 159 Main.
Born in Warwickshire county, England, David Aleshire, 38, found himself wanting to live amid the action of city life. Aleshire lived in Canada before moving to the United States and graduating from The University of Akron in 2013 with art, business and cybersecurity degrees. He is now a cybersecurity engineer for the Cleveland Clinic. When looking for a new place to call home, his first thought was the Rubber City.
“I figured it’s the perfect place, because it’s the city life. I want to live near where things are happening,” he says.
Aleshire wanted to meet new people and build his social life in the city — as well as work on his nonprofit, North Star Guardians, which aims to offer volunteer cyber forensic services to law enforcement agencies in the Akron area. That’s when he came across 159 Main apartments.
“I toured 159 with Lori, who’s the admin to the building, and I immediately knew. I was like, This is the place I want to live,” says Aleshire. “It’s right there, smack dab in the middle of Akron. Yesterday ... there was the punk rock flea market right outside my front door, which is awesome.”
“The city is alive,” Aleshire says. “It’s a great place to people watch and to get experience of all kinds of different people.”
WHAT MADE YOU SURE 159 WAS THE RIGHT FIT?
David Aleshire: It was very much Lori. … I got to see how she cared for
feels like a community. … It doesn’t feel like a business. It feels like a home.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR APARTMENT?
DA: I love cooking, and I love spending time in the living room, because I have those windows that look down on Main Street. I can see the city from my apartment. Being on the top floor, it makes it really easy to see everything, and I can kind of watch what’s going on.
WHAT’S NEAR YOUR APARTMENT?
DA: I really like going to Lock 3 and Lock 4. I love Lockview. One of my favorite places is the Green Dragon [Inn]. … They’ve got specialty drinks, coffees and teas. They’ve got food there, they have games, and they also host events, like a masquerade. … I walk to the library, the art museum.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT LIVING DOWNTOWN?
Also an artist, Aleshire moved into his 159 Main apartment — which includes an art studio — in May.
the other tenants. During the tour, another tenant approached her with a really big issue, and they resolved it in a way that I didn’t expect. … They really put the tenants first, and it
I love meeting people. I love hearing their stories. I love talking to people. The more people I talk to, the more people’s stories I hear, the more I learn and grow as a person. And I feel like Akron — living in downtown Akron — is a great place to grow as a person.
Best Things About Living in
Downtown Akron
THE DIGS
If you’re into apartments in renovated historic buildings, downtown is the place for you. Browse a wide range of sizes, layouts and price points.
THE MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
Downtown is brimming with unique, engaging exhibitions at places like the Akron Art Museum, Akron Soul Train, Summit Artspace, the Akron History Center, Clayton Bailey's World of Wonders and the National Museum of Psychology.
THE FOOD
THE MUSIC
From local songwriters and tribute bands to regional and national acts and orchestral arrangements, downtown’s many music venues are endlessly hopping with various energetic performances.
THE CULTURE
Downtown is home to countless vibrant cultural celebrations, like the Akron Pride Festival, the Downtown Akron Sakura Festival, the Akron Latin Festival and more.
THE PARKS
Experience the best of urban living and the natural world with downtown’s close proximity to both the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Summit Metro Parks.
THE TRANSIT
There are roughly 50 places to grab a bite or sip, with creative fare from around the world for any taste or occasion.
THE CANAL
The historic Ohio & Erie Canal runs right through downtown, flanked by the 101-mile Towpath Trail — ideal for evening walks, morning runs, long bike rides and quiet moments by the water.
There are lots of ways to get around, like riding Metro RTA’s buses, scooting around on scooters, biking along the cycle track and enjoying the neighborhood’s walkability.
THE KNOWLEDGE
The University of Akron is No. 1 in the world for polymer science and plastics engineering. It offers around 200 degrees and programs to help
set students up for future success. Downtown is also home to the main Akron-Summit County Public Library, offering around 2.4 million items and resources.
THE SPORTS
From UA’s college football, soccer and basketball to the Akron RubberDucks’ minor league baseball games and the Akron Marathon, there’s never a shortage of games to watch or athletes to cheer for.
THE FREE ACTIVITIES
Walking tours, film screenings, live concerts and summer bike rentals are just a few of the many free things to do in the neighborhood. Visit downtownakron.com for a full list of events.
Photo: Ramahn Wilder
Photos: Cory Kistow,ChrisRutan&RamahnWilder
Downtown Akron Must-Dos 13
GO TO A DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL
There are a ton of festival experiences to enjoy — from long-running cultural festivals like the Summit County Italian-American Festival and the Akron African American Festival to quirkier-yet-beloved events like Akron Pickle Fest and the Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival. Fun is at your doorstep almost year-round.
SEE A RUBBERDUCKS GAME
The AA-league affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians major league baseball team is a spring and summer staple in downtown Akron, with 69 home games in 7 17 Credit Union Park Stadium. Every year, the Akron RubberDucks provide more than an entire summer of family fun.
CATCH A SHOW AT THE CIVIC
The dazzling atmospheric theater is a show unto itself. The Akron Civic Theatre is the perfect place to see all kinds of big shows — including nationally touring music legends, comedians, Broadway shows, ballet, children’s shows and more.
ORDER A REUBEN FROM DIAMOND DELI
With corned beef piled high on toasted rye bread, Thousand Island dressing, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut, the classic sandwich from Akron’s favorite deli — yeah, we said it — is a delight. Try it with a side of chips and their famous carrot cake. Get the full experience by visiting the flavor- and personality-packed restaurant, located inside a former jeweler’s shop.
SHOP LOCAL & HANDMADE AT NORTHSIDE MARKETPLACE
Home to more than 100 local artisans and entrepreneurs, Northside Marketplace is also home to two eateries, a dessert spot and a boba tea place. You can even get inked at the tattoo shop there.
EAT A SALAD WITH CHEESE AT LUIGI’S
The amount of mozzarella cheese that comes piled on Luigi’s Restaurant’s simple side salad is legendary. So is this downtown oldschool institution’s pizza and Italian fare. It's cash-only, so plan accordingly.
GET YOUR SKATES ON
Downtown hosts roller skating on Cascade Plaza multiple evenings each summer, featuring $2 skate rentals and DJs spinning your favorite tunes. In the fall and winter months, Lock 3 is home to ice skating, ice bikes and ice bumper cars for even more great family fun.
SEE THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS
The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, between downtown Akron and Summit Lake, is home to more than 450 Japanese cherry blossom trees that bloom for only a handful of days each spring, creating a magical and unforgettable experience. Downtown celebrates the blossoms each April at the Downtown Akron Sakura Festival.
GET NUTS, CHOCOLATES OR CANDY FROM THE PEANUT SHOPPE
A downtown Akron must-try for nearly a century, it is the go-to place for freshroasted nuts of all kinds, chocolate, local soda and trips back in time.
TOUR THE AKRON ART MUSEUM
Home to a collection of more than 7,000 modern and contemporary artworks from masters — including Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, Mickalene Thomas, Jenny
Holzer and many others — the museum presents numerous stunning exhibitions every year in a futuristic building that cradles an 1899 building.
GET A SCOOP OF ICE CREAM FROM CHILL
Chill & Indulge serves up 30-plus flavors of small-batch artisan ice cream. Choose from one of its classics, like salty caramel truffle or lavender honey, or sample one of its rotating, seasonal flavors. It has plenty of vegan options too.
HAVE A PIECE OF SWEET MARY’S CHEESECAKE
Sweet Mary’s Bakery on East Mill Street is a destination for pastries both sweet and savory. The shop always offers tremendous cheesecake creations, from berries and cream to cranberry orange and chocolate turtle. It even has gluten-free options.
SEE A MOVIE AT THE NIGHTLIGHT
Open seven days a week, downtown Akron’s independent, nonprofit movie theater is a major must-go. With something for everyone and films from around the world, a trip to the Nightlight is a perfect day or night out, especially if you enjoy appreciating cinema in community.
Photos: DiamondDeli, Talia Hodge, MattFox&Anthony Boarman
by ABBY KRESS and photo by MAL MCCREA
Home Sweet Home
Perry Clark finally finds a place of his own at Mayflower Manor.
Perry Clark never had a home of his own. He couch surfed for most of his life — but always knew Akron was home.
Eight years ago, everything changed — Clark applied and was approved for residence in the Mayflower Manor, a HUD Section 8 and LIHTC community. Rent is income based, and housing is accessible for people who are 62 and older or are legally disabled. In 2023, the Mayflower completed an over $20 million renovation, adding new cabinets, kitchens, bathrooms, air conditioning, heating, flooring and updated fixtures.
It means everything that Clark has his own apartment. “I feel amazing because I always wanted it,” the 54-year-old says.
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF LIVING IN THE MAYFLOWER?
Perry Clark: There are very nice people in here, and management is good with me. They did a nice job fixing it up, and you’re down here where almost everything in the city happens.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR APARTMENT?
pictures on the wall, a couple of ornaments, some candleholders, clocks, a flower.
WHAT DOES A NORMAL DAY IN YOUR LIFE LOOK LIKE?
PC: I eat breakfast and try to exercise … and then talk with my friends. I like to bench press and ride the bike. I do
IS THERE ANYTHING NEARBY THAT YOU LIKE TO WALK TO?
PC: Lock 3 is the place where they have concerts and events. I just went down to the Eagles tribute band. There’s a trail where you can walk, and I walk it maybe three times a week.
HOW HAS LIVING IN DOWNTOWN AKRON HELPED CHANGE YOUR
PC: My living room is comfortable, that’s where I like to be. I like to sit and watch sitcoms on my TV and play games on my phone, like Donkey Kong or Pac-Man. … I have
a lot of exercise. I’m really trying to put together a routine. I watch music videos — it gives me motivation. Sometimes we shoot pool.
MAYFLOWER MANOR
It helps keep me active. You know there’s always something to do. Like on the weekends, there are baseball games. When there’s events in downtown, I always like to go. I can’t miss it cause it’s right outside the door of the Mayflower.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE MAYFLOWER’S RENOVATIONS?
PC: It’s very nice. They did the whole building, all the apartments, and we got new microwaves, new carpets, there are a lot of new things. I like the gym. I like the microwave, stove, refrigerator, the floor and the nice air conditioning.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE ABLE TO LIVE IN THE MAYFLOWER?
PC: That I have somewhere to stay. I don’t have to worry about anybody else’s rules and regulations. I got my own spot. I can do what I want here.
Living Spaces: Studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments available for rent // Amenities: Newly renovated rec room, common area, library with reading spots, computer room, TV room, large gaming area, tables for social activities, controlled entry, 24-hour security, wheelchair accessibility, high-speed internet, 24-hour maintenance and more 263 S. Main St., Akron, 330-762-7518, mayflowermanorapartments.com
Akronite
by CLAIRE DUBER and photos by MAL MCCREA
Mayflower Manor resident Gwendolyn Jimmerson finds a new way of life.
Gwendolyn Jimmerson grew up in rural Elaine, Arkansas — far away from city living.
“Our closest restaurant was miles from us, we had to go 30, 40 miles just to get to a restaurant that was something simple like McDonald’s or Wendy’s,” recalls the 66-year-old. So, it was a big change when Jimmerson moved to Akron to live with relatives in October 2021. Her sister saw an advertisement for the Mayflower Manor — an accessible apartment complex with income-based rent payments for those who are age 62 and older or are legally disabled. Jimmerson applied in October 2021 and moved in in December 2021.
“They called … You can come in, and we can show you what we have,’” she recalls. “I was accepted, thank God.”
WHAT MAKES THE MAYFLOWER A GOOD, ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENT?
Gwendolyn Jimmerson: When you come into the building, I like that you can’t just walk in — they have the doors that you have to have the key fob to get in. … I like that you have elevators — unless you want to take the stairs, you don’t have to. As I’ve gotten older, the stairs are not as easy as they used to be. … I like the
environment in a sense that we have seniors, and you get a chance to see familiar faces.
HOW DOES LIVING IN DOWNTOWN AKRON INFLUENCE YOUR DAILY LIFE?
GJ: I go across the street to the Barley House. I get sandwiches,
hamburgers, wings from the restaurant … to get out of the apartment, get out of the four walls and see the city. … I usually go around to Lock 3 since they renovated it.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE RESTAURANT TO WALK TO?
GJ: The delicatessen down the street.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR APARTMENT'S FEATURES?
I’m living in an apartment where I have a panoramic view of the baseball stadium, the Barley House and a portion of Lock 3. To be in this area is great, especially when activities are going on.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT DOWNTOWN AKRON?
GJ: You have access to so many different things that you can walk to, and I find that that is refreshing. You don’t have to call a taxi if you want to go to a restaurant. We have entertainment right next to the baseball stadium, and then there’s a bar or the establishment across the street where you can go — and the festivals … they’re so wonderful.
Casual Restaurants 25 in
Downtown Akron
AKRON COFFEE ROASTERS COFFEE LAB
Located in Bounce Innovation Hub, the Coffee Lab features Akron Coffee Roasters’ signature, artisanal pourover coffee with simple menu items made perfectly and deliciously.
BARLEY HOUSE
Munch on classic pub food in the ultimate sports bar space, with over 30 screens to watch the game.
BOILING HOUSE
This restaurant features Cajun-style seafood boils — with seafood of your choice, corn and potatoes — boiled in a delicious, flavorful broth. Plus, try specialty sushi rolls, cocktails and boba teas.
CHAMELEON CAFE
An eclectic, joyful coffee and lunch spot, Chameleon Cafe’s seasonal drinks menu is one of many highlights.
CIRCLE OF 5THS
Experience a craft cocktail bar specializing in one-of-a-kind, showstopping cocktails — with a curated selection of handheld fare.
DIAMOND DELI
A downtown Akron must-try for over 28 years, Diamond Deli serves the best corned beef in town — along with signature overstuffed sandwiches with humorous names and more.
D.P. DOUGH
Open from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m., D.P. Dough is downtown’s late-night destination for custom calzones available in 30 different varieties.
EDDIE’S FAMOUS CHEESESTEAKS & GRILLE
This downtown institution serves award-winning, elevated street food in the form of cheesesteaks, fresh steak-cut fries, gyros and more.
ILIĆ CAFÉ
This delightful coffee shop offers fresh-baked sweet and savory pastries, plus sandwiches, soups and salads made fresh daily.
JILLY’S MUSIC ROOM
EVELYN’S COFFEE & BÁNH MÌ
Located in Lock 3, the shop serves up bánh mì, salads, smoothies, dumplings, egg rolls and kimbap with signature Vietnamese coffee.
HEERA INDIAN CUISINE
Dine-in or take out Heera’s authentic Indian food, featuring North Indian options as well as South Indian and Indo-Chinese cooking.
Not just a great live music venue, Jilly’s boasts a tasty menu that is 100 percent gluten-free and made from scratch. Experience outstanding brunch service on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
LUIGI’S RESTAURANT
Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, this Akron institution has awardwinning pizza, Italian food, sandwiches and legendary cheese salads.
MISSING FALLS BREWERY
Head to the award-winning craft brewery for a great selection of sandwiches, wraps, pizzas and burgers, plus weekly trivia and other special events in a spacious, relaxed atmosphere.
NOMZ
This go-to spot in Northside Marketplace has fresh, local food for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, with a unique selection of vegetarian and vegan options as well.
PERFECT POUR
The veteran-owned bar and grill specializes in top-shelf bourbon and unique specialty burgers in a warm, inviting space.
PHRASE BAR & GRILL
Eat up mouthwatering vegan versions of popular meat-forward dishes in plant-based forms, such as vegan spins on ribs, burgers, fish, shrimp and more. It also offers cocktails and hosts weekly events.
SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE
Find freshly prepared Italian food in a festive atmosphere with a large capacity of seating. It’s home of the 15-layer lasagna.
STRAY DOG CAFE
Try hot dogs, Akron Pickles, wraps, salads, sandwiches and more.
THE DAILY PRESSED
Enjoy this European-style coffee shop and bistro with breakfast, lunch and dinner options — along with entertainment and cocktails in the evening.
THE GREEN DRAGON INN
It offers a superb menu with excellent cocktails and mocktails in a gamer’s paradise. Choose from over 800 board games available to play.
THE LOCKVIEW
A downtown staple featuring 15 kinds of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, this spot also has an expansive selection of craft beers, cocktails and more.
THE PLANNERZ PLACE EATERY
Located in Northside Marketplace, Plannerz Place offers a rotating menu of amazing Southern-style soul food.
TOTALLY BAKED PIZZA
Dig in to inspired pizza creations, from more traditional pies to hybrid pizzas like the Willie Nelson — featuring barbecue pork belly, breaded chicken, Gorgonzola crumbles and more.
UNITED STATES PIEROGI SERVICE
Sister restaurant to the Lockview, USPS is downtown’s destination for this beloved Northeast Ohio staple.
Photos:Shane
Wynn, Barley House Akron & Matt Fox
CRAVE
Easily one of the most beautiful downtown Akron spaces to enjoy a meal, Crave inhabits the dramatic ground floor of the 1923 Landmark Building, combining original ornate ceilings with inspiring modern flourishes. The magnificently tasteful atmosphere is matched perfectly by unique, refined appetizers, entrees, desserts and cocktails that guarantee a gastronomical experience that is as innovative as it is satisfying.
Downtown Akron
Fine Dining Restaurants 6 in
THE 1 FOOD & SPIRITS:
Located in the stylish Blu-Tique Hotel, The 1 blends culture, dining and live music into a fabulous experience. The restaurant offers a variety of locally inspired dishes with fresh ingredients and bold flavors, from Greek lamb chops and Tuscan butter salmon to flatbreads and the decadent 1 Burger. Don’t miss dessert or its handcrafted cocktails.
CILANTRO THAI & SUSHI RESTAURANT
Cilantro has been crafting spectacular sushi, Thai fare, ramen and poké in downtown Akron since 2009. Combined with a full slate of inspired cocktails in a lovely dining room, an evening at Cilantro is always a special occasion.
LUCIANO’S CUCINA ITALIANA
Downtown Akron’s newest fine dining restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine in an atmosphere that is stylish, modern and welcoming. The menu is filled with expertly crafted meat, fish and pasta dishes, from handmade lobster ravioli to family recipes — and food experiences like the ParmigianoReggiano pasta wheel, prepared tableside in a Parmesan wheel.
EL PATRÓN TEQUILERÍA & CUISINE
Owner Luis Escudero opened his restaurant to showcase a different take on Mexican culture and cuisine, perfectly pairing delicious food with his expertise in the finest tequila and mezcal. With a gorgeous dining room and beautiful patio, El Patrón is a must-try dining experience in downtown Akron.
THE CELLAR & CO.
This downtown winery and bistro — slated to open in late 2025 — should be on everyone’s radar. It’s located near Lock 4 and specializes in a curated organic wine list and a sumptuous menu. Choose from a charcuterie board, vintage duck wings, eggs à la mer, signature panini and other indulgent fare.
Photos:ElPatronTequileria,
AKRON CIVIC THEATRE
Built in 1929, the Civic is a stunning performance art theater and live music venue designed after a Mediterranean castle. The Civic is one of only five remaining atmospheric theaters in the country — patrons experience a twinkling star-lit sky and intermittent clouds moving across the horizon, all while sitting inside the auditorium. This showplace hosts numerous national acts every year, along with musicals, ballet, children’s shows, comedians and more.
BAXTER’S SPEAKEASY
The fantastical spot is a multiuse collaborative space for artists, musicians, activists and patrons to explore their passions, spend time in good company, sip quality cocktails that look and taste like works of art and experience live entertainment.
BLU JAZZ+
Located in the Akron Historic Arts District, Blu Jazz+ is a stunning and elegant live music venue designed to present the best live jazz performances from local, regional and national acts. While it evokes the feel of a classic New York jazz club, Blu Jazz+ has a vibe that is all Akron — and passion for great music is one of the venue’s hallmarks.
INGY’S PIANO BAR
Live Music & 10 in Downtown Akron Performance Venues
Attached to Tear-Ez, downtown’s oldest gay bar, Ingy’s opens from 7 to 11 p.m. on Sunday evenings for hours of laughter, love and song during live piano karaoke nights. It has been a downtown staple for more than 20 years.
INTERBELT NITE CLUB
The Interbelt has provided a place for people to express themselves, dance and enjoy a variety of shows since 1988. DJs perform regularly, and the venue is host to live drag shows and hip-hop, ladies’ and Latin nights every week.
JILLY’S MUSIC ROOM
It’s a must-visit venue for local, regional and national bands from every genre — from singer-songwriter to hip-hop. Plus, experience open mic jam nights, Broadway karaoke and tasty weekend brunch service with a 100 percent gluten-free, 100 percent flavor-packed menu.
THE KNIGHT STAGE
An intimate, modern venue adjacent to the Civic, the Knight Stage is where you can enjoy live music, productions by the Millennial Theatre Project, comedians and immersive events.
LOCK 3
Newly renovated, Lock 3 is downtown Akron’s backyard and hosts outdoor entertainment year-round for all ages — from live music concerts every week throughout the summer to festivals and ice skating in the fall and winter months.
MUSICA
This hip, indie club is a great, intimate place to see national acts, local bands and DJs from all genres of music in an eclectic, welcoming atmosphere. Look for the glowing neon “Dance” sign in the Akron Historic Arts District.
UNITE CABARET
This new venue brings the world of musical theater and jazz to downtown with themed cabaret shows featuring talented local singers and dancers. Visitors enjoy everything from Broadway show tunes to wellknown contemporary pop hits.
Photos: Akron Civic Theatre,Jilly'sMusic Room &MattFo x
Suncrest Gardens has experienced continued growth since its founding in 1976 — and will celebrate its 50th anniversary with the construction of new facilities and corporate offices, coming in spring 2026. The new facilities will be located at 4811 Scarlet Lane, Stow, adjacent to the state Route 8 expressway just south of the Seasons Road exit. As a result of the move to the new facilities, Suncrest Gardens is rebranding to help identify its specialty services. All existing services will remain the same but will be operating from two
The Suncrest Landscape Group will be comprised of landscape design, construction, landscape management and snow and ice operations. The new facility will be located at 4811 Scarlet Lane, Stow.
The Suncrest Garden Center will be expanding in its current location at 5157 Akron Cleveland Road, Peninsula, to allow for much needed additional parking and a wider
of landscape and retail product
PLACE S | E V ENTS | ADVENTURES
DOWNTOWNLivingAKRON
Main photo: Ramahn Wilder; ribbon photos: Ramahn Wilder, Dale Dong, Evan Laux, Chris Rutan & DAP staff
With views of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Akron Civic Theatre and Akron RubberDucks stadium — plus walking and biking trails and a fitness center — the 15-story Canal Square Lofts offers several great amenities and a prominent downtown Akron location.
These aspects and more make the building ideal for 23-year-old resident Sarah Oschman, who works as a barista at Nervous Dog Coffee Bar. The Akron native graduated from The University of Akron in May 2024 and moved into Canal Square Lofts in September 2024 with her husband, who works for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and was already living in the unit. Living in the high-rise is enjoyable for the two as it is close to their workplaces, is part of a lively downtown scene, is affordable and offers walkability — just to name a few reasons.
“We had some friends that lived in the building too, and they loved it, so they recommended that he get an apartment here,” Oschman says.
by CLAIRE DUBER and
by MAL MCCREA
been going there since I was a kid. My parents have always brought us to downtown Akron, to the [Akron] Civic [Theatre], and we would always go to Lockview before going to the Civic for a show. We love going to
Lockview with friends — good drinks, good food, there’s never a long wait, so that’s always a plus.
WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND LIVING IN DOWNTOWN AKRON?
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE DOWNTOWN AKRON RESTAURANTS?
Sarah Oschman: I really like El Patrón [Tequilería & Cuisine], we’ll go there for happy hour to get their margs, salsa and guac. Also, Lockview, I’ve
CANAL SQUARE LOFTS
SO: There’s tons of restaurants downtown. There’s always events going on, and it’s close to the highway. Right on the backside of Bowery you can just jump on … [Interstate] 76, and then Route 8 is like a 5-minute drive, so it’s just really accessible. I feel safe here, I have gated parking, which is definitely a plus, so I never have to worry about that. And too, because everything’s walkable, if I can just leave my car in my parking spot, I can walk to everything.
WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND CANAL SQUARE LOFTS TO SOMEONE WITHIN YOUR AGE DEMOGRAPHIC?
The rent is very affordable. Our unit is really unique, it’s two floors, and it’s lofted. We have two bedrooms upstairs and a bathroom, and then downstairs we have a massive kitchen and a living room. … Also, there’s a lot of young people in the building, so for us, a lot of our friends also live in the building. We can just go up one floor and see our friends.
Living Spaces: One- and two-bedroom apartments for rent // Amenities: Dogs and cats allowed, package delivery, controlled access, maintenance on-site, security system, courtesy and video patrol, recycling, dry cleaning service, walk-in closets, hardwood floors, fitness center, bike storage, social lounge and more 1 Canal Square Plaza, Akron, 330-620-1059, canalsquarelofts.com
Canal Square Lofts gives barista Sarah Oschman easy access to a vibrant life.
photos
by CAMERON GORMAN and ABBY KRESS photo by MAL MCCREA
Cybersecurity engineer David Aleshire embraces city life at 159 Main.
Born in Warwickshire county, England, David Aleshire, 38, found himself wanting to live amid the action of city life. Aleshire lived in Canada before moving to the United States and graduating from The University of Akron in 2013 with art, business and cybersecurity degrees. He is now a cybersecurity engineer for the Cleveland Clinic. When looking for a new place to call home, his first thought was the Rubber City.
“I figured it’s the perfect place, because it’s the city life. I want to live near where things are happening,” he says.
Aleshire wanted to meet new people and build his social life in the city — as well as work on his nonprofit, North Star Guardians, which aims to offer volunteer cyber forensic services to law enforcement agencies in the Akron area. That’s when he came across 159 Main apartments.
“I toured 159 with Lori, who’s the admin to the building, and I immediately knew. I was like, This is the place I want to live,” says Aleshire. “It’s right there, smack dab in the middle of Akron. Yesterday ... there was the punk rock flea market right outside my front door, which is awesome.”
“The city is alive,” Aleshire says. “It’s a great place to people watch and to get experience of all kinds of different people.”
WHAT MADE YOU SURE 159 WAS THE RIGHT FIT?
David Aleshire: It was very much Lori. … I got to see how she cared for
feels like a community. … It doesn’t feel like a business. It feels like a home.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR APARTMENT?
DA: I love cooking, and I love spending time in the living room, because I have those windows that look down on Main Street. I can see the city from my apartment. Being on the top floor, it makes it really easy to see everything, and I can kind of watch what’s going on.
WHAT’S NEAR YOUR APARTMENT?
DA: I really like going to Lock 3 and Lock 4. I love Lockview. One of my favorite places is the Green Dragon [Inn]. … They’ve got specialty drinks, coffees and teas. They’ve got food there, they have games, and they also host events, like a masquerade. … I walk to the library, the art museum.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT LIVING DOWNTOWN?
Also an artist, Aleshire moved into his 159 Main apartment — which includes an art studio — in May.
the other tenants. During the tour, another tenant approached her with a really big issue, and they resolved it in a way that I didn’t expect. … They really put the tenants first, and it
I love meeting people. I love hearing their stories. I love talking to people. The more people I talk to, the more people’s stories I hear, the more I learn and grow as a person. And I feel like Akron — living in downtown Akron — is a great place to grow as a person.
Best Things About Living in
Downtown Akron
THE DIGS
If you’re into apartments in renovated historic buildings, downtown is the place for you. Browse a wide range of sizes, layouts and price points.
THE MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
Downtown is brimming with unique, engaging exhibitions at places like the Akron Art Museum, Akron Soul Train, Summit Artspace, the Akron History Center, Clayton Bailey's World of Wonders and the National Museum of Psychology.
THE FOOD
THE MUSIC
From local songwriters and tribute bands to regional and national acts and orchestral arrangements, downtown’s many music venues are endlessly hopping with various energetic performances.
THE CULTURE
Downtown is home to countless vibrant cultural celebrations, like the Akron Pride Festival, the Downtown Akron Sakura Festival, the Akron Latin Festival and more.
THE PARKS
Experience the best of urban living and the natural world with downtown’s close proximity to both the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Summit Metro Parks.
THE TRANSIT
There are roughly 50 places to grab a bite or sip, with creative fare from around the world for any taste or occasion.
THE CANAL
The historic Ohio & Erie Canal runs right through downtown, flanked by the 101-mile Towpath Trail — ideal for evening walks, morning runs, long bike rides and quiet moments by the water.
There are lots of ways to get around, like riding Metro RTA’s buses, scooting around on scooters, biking along the cycle track and enjoying the neighborhood’s walkability.
THE KNOWLEDGE
The University of Akron is No. 1 in the world for polymer science and plastics engineering. It offers around 200 degrees and programs to help
set students up for future success. Downtown is also home to the main Akron-Summit County Public Library, offering around 2.4 million items and resources.
THE SPORTS
From UA’s college football, soccer and basketball to the Akron RubberDucks’ minor league baseball games and the Akron Marathon, there’s never a shortage of games to watch or athletes to cheer for.
THE FREE ACTIVITIES
Walking tours, film screenings, live concerts and summer bike rentals are just a few of the many free things to do in the neighborhood. Visit downtownakron.com for a full list of events.
Photo: Ramahn Wilder
Photos: Cory Kistow,ChrisRutan&RamahnWilder
Downtown Akron Must-Dos 13
GO TO A DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL
There are a ton of festival experiences to enjoy — from long-running cultural festivals like the Summit County Italian-American Festival and the Akron African American Festival to quirkier-yet-beloved events like Akron Pickle Fest and the Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival. Fun is at your doorstep almost year-round.
SEE A RUBBERDUCKS GAME
The AA-league affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians major league baseball team is a spring and summer staple in downtown Akron, with 69 home games in 7 17 Credit Union Park Stadium. Every year, the Akron RubberDucks provide more than an entire summer of family fun.
CATCH A SHOW AT THE CIVIC
The dazzling atmospheric theater is a show unto itself. The Akron Civic Theatre is the perfect place to see all kinds of big shows — including nationally touring music legends, comedians, Broadway shows, ballet, children’s shows and more.
ORDER A REUBEN FROM DIAMOND DELI
With corned beef piled high on toasted rye bread, Thousand Island dressing, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut, the classic sandwich from Akron’s favorite deli — yeah, we said it — is a delight. Try it with a side of chips and their famous carrot cake. Get the full experience by visiting the flavor- and personality-packed restaurant, located inside a former jeweler’s shop.
SHOP LOCAL & HANDMADE AT NORTHSIDE MARKETPLACE
Home to more than 100 local artisans and entrepreneurs, Northside Marketplace is also home to two eateries, a dessert spot and a boba tea place. You can even get inked at the tattoo shop there.
EAT A SALAD WITH CHEESE AT LUIGI’S
The amount of mozzarella cheese that comes piled on Luigi’s Restaurant’s simple side salad is legendary. So is this downtown oldschool institution’s pizza and Italian fare. It's cash-only, so plan accordingly.
GET YOUR SKATES ON
Downtown hosts roller skating on Cascade Plaza multiple evenings each summer, featuring $2 skate rentals and DJs spinning your favorite tunes. In the fall and winter months, Lock 3 is home to ice skating, ice bikes and ice bumper cars for even more great family fun.
SEE THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS
The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, between downtown Akron and Summit Lake, is home to more than 450 Japanese cherry blossom trees that bloom for only a handful of days each spring, creating a magical and unforgettable experience. Downtown celebrates the blossoms each April at the Downtown Akron Sakura Festival.
GET NUTS, CHOCOLATES OR CANDY FROM THE PEANUT SHOPPE
A downtown Akron must-try for nearly a century, it is the go-to place for freshroasted nuts of all kinds, chocolate, local soda and trips back in time.
TOUR THE AKRON ART MUSEUM
Home to a collection of more than 7,000 modern and contemporary artworks from masters — including Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, Mickalene Thomas, Jenny
Holzer and many others — the museum presents numerous stunning exhibitions every year in a futuristic building that cradles an 1899 building.
GET A SCOOP OF ICE CREAM FROM CHILL
Chill & Indulge serves up 30-plus flavors of small-batch artisan ice cream. Choose from one of its classics, like salty caramel truffle or lavender honey, or sample one of its rotating, seasonal flavors. It has plenty of vegan options too.
HAVE A PIECE OF SWEET MARY’S CHEESECAKE
Sweet Mary’s Bakery on East Mill Street is a destination for pastries both sweet and savory. The shop always offers tremendous cheesecake creations, from berries and cream to cranberry orange and chocolate turtle. It even has gluten-free options.
SEE A MOVIE AT THE NIGHTLIGHT
Open seven days a week, downtown Akron’s independent, nonprofit movie theater is a major must-go. With something for everyone and films from around the world, a trip to the Nightlight is a perfect day or night out, especially if you enjoy appreciating cinema in community.
Photos: DiamondDeli, Talia Hodge, MattFox&Anthony Boarman
by ABBY KRESS and photo by MAL MCCREA
Home Sweet Home
Perry Clark finally finds a place of his own at Mayflower Manor.
Perry Clark never had a home of his own. He couch surfed for most of his life — but always knew Akron was home.
Eight years ago, everything changed — Clark applied and was approved for residence in the Mayflower Manor, a HUD Section 8 and LIHTC community. Rent is income based, and housing is accessible for people who are 62 and older or are legally disabled. In 2023, the Mayflower completed an over $20 million renovation, adding new cabinets, kitchens, bathrooms, air conditioning, heating, flooring and updated fixtures.
It means everything that Clark has his own apartment. “I feel amazing because I always wanted it,” the 54-year-old says.
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF LIVING IN THE MAYFLOWER?
Perry Clark: There are very nice people in here, and management is good with me. They did a nice job fixing it up, and you’re down here where almost everything in the city happens.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR APARTMENT?
pictures on the wall, a couple of ornaments, some candleholders, clocks, a flower.
WHAT DOES A NORMAL DAY IN YOUR LIFE LOOK LIKE?
PC: I eat breakfast and try to exercise … and then talk with my friends. I like to bench press and ride the bike. I do
IS THERE ANYTHING NEARBY THAT YOU LIKE TO WALK TO?
PC: Lock 3 is the place where they have concerts and events. I just went down to the Eagles tribute band. There’s a trail where you can walk, and I walk it maybe three times a week.
HOW HAS LIVING IN DOWNTOWN AKRON HELPED CHANGE YOUR
PC: My living room is comfortable, that’s where I like to be. I like to sit and watch sitcoms on my TV and play games on my phone, like Donkey Kong or Pac-Man. … I have
a lot of exercise. I’m really trying to put together a routine. I watch music videos — it gives me motivation. Sometimes we shoot pool.
MAYFLOWER MANOR
It helps keep me active. You know there’s always something to do. Like on the weekends, there are baseball games. When there’s events in downtown, I always like to go. I can’t miss it cause it’s right outside the door of the Mayflower.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE MAYFLOWER’S RENOVATIONS?
PC: It’s very nice. They did the whole building, all the apartments, and we got new microwaves, new carpets, there are a lot of new things. I like the gym. I like the microwave, stove, refrigerator, the floor and the nice air conditioning.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE ABLE TO LIVE IN THE MAYFLOWER?
PC: That I have somewhere to stay. I don’t have to worry about anybody else’s rules and regulations. I got my own spot. I can do what I want here.
Living Spaces: Studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments available for rent // Amenities: Newly renovated rec room, common area, library with reading spots, computer room, TV room, large gaming area, tables for social activities, controlled entry, 24-hour security, wheelchair accessibility, high-speed internet, 24-hour maintenance and more 263 S. Main St., Akron, 330-762-7518, mayflowermanorapartments.com
Akronite
by CLAIRE DUBER and photos by MAL MCCREA
Mayflower Manor resident Gwendolyn Jimmerson finds a new way of life.
Gwendolyn Jimmerson grew up in rural Elaine, Arkansas — far away from city living.
“Our closest restaurant was miles from us, we had to go 30, 40 miles just to get to a restaurant that was something simple like McDonald’s or Wendy’s,” recalls the 66-year-old. So, it was a big change when Jimmerson moved to Akron to live with relatives in October 2021. Her sister saw an advertisement for the Mayflower Manor — an accessible apartment complex with income-based rent payments for those who are age 62 and older or are legally disabled. Jimmerson applied in October 2021 and moved in in December 2021.
“They called … You can come in, and we can show you what we have,’” she recalls. “I was accepted, thank God.”
WHAT MAKES THE MAYFLOWER A GOOD, ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENT?
Gwendolyn Jimmerson: When you come into the building, I like that you can’t just walk in — they have the doors that you have to have the key fob to get in. … I like that you have elevators — unless you want to take the stairs, you don’t have to. As I’ve gotten older, the stairs are not as easy as they used to be. … I like the
environment in a sense that we have seniors, and you get a chance to see familiar faces.
HOW DOES LIVING IN DOWNTOWN AKRON INFLUENCE YOUR DAILY LIFE?
GJ: I go across the street to the Barley House. I get sandwiches,
hamburgers, wings from the restaurant … to get out of the apartment, get out of the four walls and see the city. … I usually go around to Lock 3 since they renovated it.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE RESTAURANT TO WALK TO?
GJ: The delicatessen down the street.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR APARTMENT'S FEATURES?
I’m living in an apartment where I have a panoramic view of the baseball stadium, the Barley House and a portion of Lock 3. To be in this area is great, especially when activities are going on.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT DOWNTOWN AKRON?
GJ: You have access to so many different things that you can walk to, and I find that that is refreshing. You don’t have to call a taxi if you want to go to a restaurant. We have entertainment right next to the baseball stadium, and then there’s a bar or the establishment across the street where you can go — and the festivals … they’re so wonderful.
Casual Restaurants 25 in
Downtown Akron
AKRON COFFEE ROASTERS COFFEE LAB
Located in Bounce Innovation Hub, the Coffee Lab features Akron Coffee Roasters’ signature, artisanal pourover coffee with simple menu items made perfectly and deliciously.
BARLEY HOUSE
Munch on classic pub food in the ultimate sports bar space, with over 30 screens to watch the game.
BOILING HOUSE
This restaurant features Cajun-style seafood boils — with seafood of your choice, corn and potatoes — boiled in a delicious, flavorful broth. Plus, try specialty sushi rolls, cocktails and boba teas.
CHAMELEON CAFE
An eclectic, joyful coffee and lunch spot, Chameleon Cafe’s seasonal drinks menu is one of many highlights.
CIRCLE OF 5THS
Experience a craft cocktail bar specializing in one-of-a-kind, showstopping cocktails — with a curated selection of handheld fare.
DIAMOND DELI
A downtown Akron must-try for over 28 years, Diamond Deli serves the best corned beef in town — along with signature overstuffed sandwiches with humorous names and more.
D.P. DOUGH
Open from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m., D.P. Dough is downtown’s late-night destination for custom calzones available in 30 different varieties.
EDDIE’S FAMOUS CHEESESTEAKS & GRILLE
This downtown institution serves award-winning, elevated street food in the form of cheesesteaks, fresh steak-cut fries, gyros and more.
ILIĆ CAFÉ
This delightful coffee shop offers fresh-baked sweet and savory pastries, plus sandwiches, soups and salads made fresh daily.
JILLY’S MUSIC ROOM
EVELYN’S COFFEE & BÁNH MÌ
Located in Lock 3, the shop serves up bánh mì, salads, smoothies, dumplings, egg rolls and kimbap with signature Vietnamese coffee.
HEERA INDIAN CUISINE
Dine-in or take out Heera’s authentic Indian food, featuring North Indian options as well as South Indian and Indo-Chinese cooking.
Not just a great live music venue, Jilly’s boasts a tasty menu that is 100 percent gluten-free and made from scratch. Experience outstanding brunch service on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
LUIGI’S RESTAURANT
Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, this Akron institution has awardwinning pizza, Italian food, sandwiches and legendary cheese salads.
MISSING FALLS BREWERY
Head to the award-winning craft brewery for a great selection of sandwiches, wraps, pizzas and burgers, plus weekly trivia and other special events in a spacious, relaxed atmosphere.
NOMZ
This go-to spot in Northside Marketplace has fresh, local food for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, with a unique selection of vegetarian and vegan options as well.
PERFECT POUR
The veteran-owned bar and grill specializes in top-shelf bourbon and unique specialty burgers in a warm, inviting space.
PHRASE BAR & GRILL
Eat up mouthwatering vegan versions of popular meat-forward dishes in plant-based forms, such as vegan spins on ribs, burgers, fish, shrimp and more. It also offers cocktails and hosts weekly events.
SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE
Find freshly prepared Italian food in a festive atmosphere with a large capacity of seating. It’s home of the 15-layer lasagna.
STRAY DOG CAFE
Try hot dogs, Akron Pickles, wraps, salads, sandwiches and more.
THE DAILY PRESSED
Enjoy this European-style coffee shop and bistro with breakfast, lunch and dinner options — along with entertainment and cocktails in the evening.
THE GREEN DRAGON INN
It offers a superb menu with excellent cocktails and mocktails in a gamer’s paradise. Choose from over 800 board games available to play.
THE LOCKVIEW
A downtown staple featuring 15 kinds of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, this spot also has an expansive selection of craft beers, cocktails and more.
THE PLANNERZ PLACE EATERY
Located in Northside Marketplace, Plannerz Place offers a rotating menu of amazing Southern-style soul food.
TOTALLY BAKED PIZZA
Dig in to inspired pizza creations, from more traditional pies to hybrid pizzas like the Willie Nelson — featuring barbecue pork belly, breaded chicken, Gorgonzola crumbles and more.
UNITED STATES PIEROGI SERVICE
Sister restaurant to the Lockview, USPS is downtown’s destination for this beloved Northeast Ohio staple.
Photos:Shane
Wynn, Barley House Akron & Matt Fox
CRAVE
Easily one of the most beautiful downtown Akron spaces to enjoy a meal, Crave inhabits the dramatic ground floor of the 1923 Landmark Building, combining original ornate ceilings with inspiring modern flourishes. The magnificently tasteful atmosphere is matched perfectly by unique, refined appetizers, entrees, desserts and cocktails that guarantee a gastronomical experience that is as innovative as it is satisfying.
Downtown Akron
Fine Dining Restaurants 6 in
THE 1 FOOD & SPIRITS:
Located in the stylish Blu-Tique Hotel, The 1 blends culture, dining and live music into a fabulous experience. The restaurant offers a variety of locally inspired dishes with fresh ingredients and bold flavors, from Greek lamb chops and Tuscan butter salmon to flatbreads and the decadent 1 Burger. Don’t miss dessert or its handcrafted cocktails.
CILANTRO THAI & SUSHI RESTAURANT
Cilantro has been crafting spectacular sushi, Thai fare, ramen and poké in downtown Akron since 2009. Combined with a full slate of inspired cocktails in a lovely dining room, an evening at Cilantro is always a special occasion.
LUCIANO’S CUCINA ITALIANA
Downtown Akron’s newest fine dining restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine in an atmosphere that is stylish, modern and welcoming. The menu is filled with expertly crafted meat, fish and pasta dishes, from handmade lobster ravioli to family recipes — and food experiences like the ParmigianoReggiano pasta wheel, prepared tableside in a Parmesan wheel.
EL PATRÓN TEQUILERÍA & CUISINE
Owner Luis Escudero opened his restaurant to showcase a different take on Mexican culture and cuisine, perfectly pairing delicious food with his expertise in the finest tequila and mezcal. With a gorgeous dining room and beautiful patio, El Patrón is a must-try dining experience in downtown Akron.
THE CELLAR & CO.
This downtown winery and bistro — slated to open in late 2025 — should be on everyone’s radar. It’s located near Lock 4 and specializes in a curated organic wine list and a sumptuous menu. Choose from a charcuterie board, vintage duck wings, eggs à la mer, signature panini and other indulgent fare.
Photos:ElPatronTequileria,
AKRON CIVIC THEATRE
Built in 1929, the Civic is a stunning performance art theater and live music venue designed after a Mediterranean castle. The Civic is one of only five remaining atmospheric theaters in the country — patrons experience a twinkling star-lit sky and intermittent clouds moving across the horizon, all while sitting inside the auditorium. This showplace hosts numerous national acts every year, along with musicals, ballet, children’s shows, comedians and more.
BAXTER’S SPEAKEASY
The fantastical spot is a multiuse collaborative space for artists, musicians, activists and patrons to explore their passions, spend time in good company, sip quality cocktails that look and taste like works of art and experience live entertainment.
BLU JAZZ+
Located in the Akron Historic Arts District, Blu Jazz+ is a stunning and elegant live music venue designed to present the best live jazz performances from local, regional and national acts. While it evokes the feel of a classic New York jazz club, Blu Jazz+ has a vibe that is all Akron — and passion for great music is one of the venue’s hallmarks.
INGY’S PIANO BAR
Live Music & 10 in Downtown Akron Performance Venues
Attached to Tear-Ez, downtown’s oldest gay bar, Ingy’s opens from 7 to 11 p.m. on Sunday evenings for hours of laughter, love and song during live piano karaoke nights. It has been a downtown staple for more than 20 years.
INTERBELT NITE CLUB
The Interbelt has provided a place for people to express themselves, dance and enjoy a variety of shows since 1988. DJs perform regularly, and the venue is host to live drag shows and hip-hop, ladies’ and Latin nights every week.
JILLY’S MUSIC ROOM
It’s a must-visit venue for local, regional and national bands from every genre — from singer-songwriter to hip-hop. Plus, experience open mic jam nights, Broadway karaoke and tasty weekend brunch service with a 100 percent gluten-free, 100 percent flavor-packed menu.
THE KNIGHT STAGE
An intimate, modern venue adjacent to the Civic, the Knight Stage is where you can enjoy live music, productions by the Millennial Theatre Project, comedians and immersive events.
LOCK 3
Newly renovated, Lock 3 is downtown Akron’s backyard and hosts outdoor entertainment year-round for all ages — from live music concerts every week throughout the summer to festivals and ice skating in the fall and winter months.
MUSICA
This hip, indie club is a great, intimate place to see national acts, local bands and DJs from all genres of music in an eclectic, welcoming atmosphere. Look for the glowing neon “Dance” sign in the Akron Historic Arts District.
UNITE CABARET
This new venue brings the world of musical theater and jazz to downtown with themed cabaret shows featuring talented local singers and dancers. Visitors enjoy everything from Broadway show tunes to wellknown contemporary pop hits.
Photos: Akron Civic Theatre,Jilly'sMusic Room &MattFo x