NEW ENGLAND-STYLE HOME
FALL 2026
photo by Erin Gulling
Captivating Cape Cod
RESTORED 1884 MANSION LANDS ON TV
SHOP FALL DECOR AT BUCKEYE HOME & THREADS
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CONSIDER SOLAR PANELS FOR YOUR HOUSE
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welcome by COLIN BAKER
a supplement to Akron Life magazine Publisher COLIN BAKE R
cbaker@bakermediagroup.com Ed i to r- i n - C h i e f K E L LY P E T RYS Z Y N
kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com A s s i s t a n t Ed i to r CAMERON GORMAN
cgorman@bakermediagroup.com Ed i to r i a l A s s i s t a n t X AV E R I E B A K E R
xbaker@bakermediagroup.com A r t D i re c to r ERIN GULLING
egulling@bakermediagroup.com C o n t r i b u t i n g Wr i te r VINCE GUERRIERI Sales B U N N Y L AC E Y S T E V E T YS O N TYLER BOHINC
sales@bakermediagroup.com C i rc u l a t i o n
circulation@bakermediagroup.com 330-253-0056, ext. 104 Ed i to r i a l I n te r n s CARLINA KRAJNIK E L I Z A B E T H M AY L E F E L I C I T Y S C OT T SYDNEY STEVENSON G AG E W E L L M A N ZION WILLIAMS G r a p h i c D e s i g n I n te r n BEN WISINSKI
fall 2026 | volume 8 | issue 2 33O HOMES is published by Baker Media Group, LLC, 1653 Merriman Road, Suite 116, Akron, OH 44313. Copyright 2026© 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.
Handy Man Knowing how to fix things around the house is valuable. I consider myself to be pretty advanced when it comes to mechanical ability. I am not entirely sure where that comes from. My brother has it too. I would say I got it from growing up around the auto parts business and race cars, but my dad honestly wasn’t as mechanically inclined as my brother and I turned out to be. At a young age, we were taking things apart just to see how they worked. The classic example is that my brother got a new 10-speed bike, and we stripped it completely to pieces. We eventually had to take it to a bike shop to put it back together. That pretty much sums up our approach. I also learned a lot working at the auto parts store. At 14 or 15, I would work the front counter — people would come in, order parts and then ask how to do the job. I had listened to my dad so many times I could tell you how to set the points on a Volkswagen 1600 engine without ever actually doing it myself. Later, once I got a car of my own, I learned everything hands-on by driving a Volkswagen Bug that was always on the edge of falling apart. I did just enough to keep it on the road. The problem with knowing too much is that you get comfortable not fixing things because you know what’s actually key to keeping something running and what can wait. My Bug didn’t have a working fuel gauge, so I kept track of the miles on a piece of paper — and sometimes got it wrong. My sister and I ran out of gas on the way to school more than once. I always thought it was actually a great lesson. It’s part of why I think a teenager’s first car shouldn’t be a new one, but something just roadworthy enough to learn on. My older kids figured out cars that way, and I think they’re better for it. All of that takes me to today. I can do a lot around the house — probably most things, at some level. And because of that, a lot of things sit halffinished or still in the thinking stage while I talk myself out of paying someone to do something I know I could handle. I have had to learn to step back and just pay for things — find people I trust to do a good job at a fair price and let them do it. I have said to my wife that if I could just have two weeks at home to knock out every project on the list, I would get it done. The problem is that I have a business to run and that list is not getting any shorter on its own. I do think the knowledge helps. Knowing what something should look like when it’s done right, knowing the right questions to ask, knowing when someone is cutting corners. That part is valuable. You can find the right person for the job and actually know what to look for when it’s complete. So, the years of taking things apart and figuring them out are not wasted. They just show up differently now than they did when I was writing miles down on a piece of paper and hoping for the best.
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contents fall 2026 | volume 8 | issue 2
dream house
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C A P TI VATI N G C A P E CO D
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R E S TO R E D 1 8 8 4 M A N S I O N
market report 17 AN UPDATE ON THE HOUSING MARKET
fresh design 19 BUCKEYE HOME & THREADS
smart tech 32 CONSIDER SOLAR PANELS
special feature 35 DOWNTOWN AKRON
Live, eat and play
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on the cover CAPE COD photo by Erin Gulling
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PARADE Homes OF
OCTOBER 3-4 & 10-11 | 12-5 PM Step inside a world of beauty, craftsmanship, and awe at this year’s Parade of Homes.
From stunning new construction to beautifully transformed remodels, there’s something to inspire every vision. Walk through these exceptional homes in person or explore them virtually from wherever you are. And this year, the Parade is reaching even farther—showcasing extraordinary homes throughout Geauga, Stark, Lake, Portage, Cuyahoga and Medina Counties.
Discover what’s possible! BIANEO.ORG/HOME-TOURS PRESENTED BY
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by KELLY PETRYSZYN, photos by ERIN GULLING
Back Home Fresh design adds vibrancy to a Cape Cod.
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Dream Home After Joe retired from his job in Texas, he and his wife, Terri, wanted to return to Northeast Ohio — but the former Brunswick residents only had a small window to find a home while visiting the area. A friend had heard about a house in Richfield going on the market — it was a Cape Cod. “My childhood growing up, if you would have asked me, Where do you want to live the rest of your life? It would be New England,” says Terri. “The house looks like somebody took it off Nantucket and plopped it in Richfield.” The couple bought it in 2022. While it had the quintessential Cape Cod aesthetic on the exterior, the interior was outdated, with little color or variety within the 7,000-squarefoot space. “There was good bones but not good window dressing,” says Terri. The couple brought in Anne Gorey, vice president of interior design at Chez-Del Interiors, to redesign the entire home with a more vibrant look and help sharpen their vision. “My problem whenever I design is I gravitate toward what I like, and I like everything. I like farmhouse. I like antiques. I like modern, so I get lost,” Terri says. “This house is a little bit of everything cohesively.” Terri and Gorey chose an aesthetic. “I would consider it more classic, timeless kind of design and then with some modern elements,” Gorey says. The color palette is earth tones — neutrals with greens and blues. “One of the primary colors is soft green because we were trying to bring the outside in — a cozy feel,” she says. The kitchen was gutted mostly because the upper cabinets extended to the black soapstone countertops, cutting away at prep space. A contractor discovered the soapstone is homogeneous, so it was easy to seamlessly add pieces and raise all upper cabinets. The new backsplash
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is a natural marble subway tile with dark, dramatic veining. The upper cabinets feature upper transom windows with waterfall glass. The appliances are new, including a 48inch stainless-steel fridge. Swivel Cleo barstools in sea glass add a pop of color, and their velvet performance fabric increases usability. “I wanted the interior to look elevated to match the house, but I didn’t want to be afraid to use it,” Terri says. The adjoining great room also has performance fabric on the facing track arm Bernhardt horizontal slub-textured sofas. Nearby twin swivel chairs have a tone-on-tone geometric pattern. A Bernhardt table with a bronze iron base and natural travertine top separates the sofas while a stone-topped end table with an iron chain link base separates the Wesley Hall swivel chairs. A pair of mottled green porcelain urn lamps on a sofa table carry through the colors of the leafy backyard beyond the windows that feature stunning plantation shutters — some windows
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had them already, and they were added to others. Those stayed untouched — as did all the millwork on the ceilings, including intricate corbels — aside from a paint job. To simplify the five-column living room, they took out three columns that weren’t load-bearing and squared the remaining two up. Throughout, the hardwood floors were re-stained with a walnutinspired stain. A nook that originally housed a baby grand piano now has custom curved window seats and bookshelves overlooking one of the home’s patios, complete with a new stone outdoor kitchen and firepit area. An oversized tufted cocoa leather cocktail ottoman with an open metal base came from Texas. Two button-tufted Chesterfield sofas in a performance linen are accented with throw pillows featuring a mosaic pattern that ties into the handknotted, rich, earth-toned Surya rug. There’s also a whitewashed coffee table and houndstooth wingbacked chairs with nailhead trim.
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Columns topped with pinecones were squared off on the nearby foyer staircase, which has a new neutral two-step Masland runner. “It adds a dramatic kind of entrance,” Gorey says. Off that area is the formal dining room, with deep aubergine walls. The newly made dining set complements the farmhouse-style one with turned legs in the eat-in kitchen, which showcases a feature brick wall. A crystal chandelier with hanging fruit was kept from the original homeowners, as were many other fixtures. A Hooker Furniture hutch with interior lighting has a contrasting back and dark framed wooden front that makes China pop. Down the hall, find a three-season sunroom with a two-story ceiling featuring three rows of white windows: small upper rectangular windows, porthole middle windows with decorative mullions inside — a Cape Cod signature — and lower floor-to-ceiling windows. Existing white rope black-and-white striped trimmed curtains go with that coastal theme, as does the Summer Classics black wicker furniture with off-white performance upholstery, botanical soft green pillows, a painted blackand-white checkerboard floor and dark stained, textured cedar walls. “We tried to play off that nautical feel,” says Gorey. It adjoins a new outdoor living space with dining, a water feature and a stone fireplace with seating.
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The office is stucco painted in Sherwin-Williams’ Waterloo. The columned fireplace was squared off and got a new tile surround. The desk is accented by two intriguing Wesley Hall bobbin chairs with rounded wooden arms and upholstery in contrasting patterns with a velvet base. Nesting hammered metal mirrored-top tables separate the chairs. A nearby hall powder room stuns with a chest that was converted into a vanity with a granite countertop and an undermount sink in front of a bronze foil Thybony geometric wall covering and a metal mirror and sconces from Currey & Company. The neighboring first-floor owner’s suite got a major transformation. Originally, the bathroom had transom cabinets lining the ceiling and vanities lining the walls, along with a builtin tub surrounded by four columns. Now there’s a freestanding oval soaking tub in front of a bay window with plantation shutters, his and hers quartz custom vanities crowned by round oversized Currey & Company mirrors and an elegant new Uttermost teardrop seeded glass chandelier. The shower is now much larger and has natural travertine subway tile, a niche and floor with hexagon tile and a quartz seat. The Fabricut wall covering in Vane adds a soft botanical feel. “It’s calming. It’s serene. It’s spa-like,” says Terri. The owner’s bedroom’s stone walls were replaced, and now there’s a feature wall with wainscoting painted
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in Sherwin-Williams Retreat, which Terri loves. “I like bold colors,” Terri says. There are four bedrooms upstairs — one for each of their grown kids when they visit and one for guests. Terri loves the bathroom off the green room, which has a black-and-white retro floor inspired by a vintage one she showed Gorey a picture of. It’s white square tiles with black diamond joists. The renovation took most of 2023 for the interior and then the exterior stretched into 2024 and 2025 as they painted the brown exterior in Benjamin Moore’s Soot, added pewter fixtures, redid the driveway and landscaping and added outdoor living spaces. Overall, Terri is thrilled with the results. “It came out better than I could have imagined,” she says. “You go into these things with a vision of I want it to look like this, but how do you get it out of your head and into reality? … It’s exactly what I wanted.”
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Closer Look The outdated basement was transformed into a stylish casual hangout area. “My description for this was elevated sports bar,” says homeowner Terri. The standout is a bar with a stone feature wall showcasing live-edge walnut shelves with recessed lighting illuminating bottles. A wine fridge from upstairs was moved to the bar. The granite counter with seating is
accented by Revelation pendant seeded glass lighting with Edison bulbs. Also find a leather top-stitch Bernhardt sectional to welcome friends and family, as well as an adjoining room with a pool table from Texas and autographed sports memorabilia. “We wanted somewhere to gather and watch the games,” Terri says.
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Market Report Let’s catch up on where the housing market stands.
It wasn’t too long ago that Robin Rohrich saw homes sell at prices that far exceeded what was previously thought of as market value, with buyers escalating bids and skipping inspections — even for homes they were buying sight unseen — while interest rates were historically low. That’s no longer the case, says Robin, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Stouffer Realty in Fairlawn. But it’s still a robust seller’s market, if less potent than before. “If it was a 15/10 before, now it’s an 8 or 9," she says. “The highly skilled agents are still in the market, and the ones who got into the market during COVID and
thought this was how it always is are gone now. You have to know how to market when things aren’t flying off the shelves.” Now, buyers are more willing to wait, especially if they think a home is overpriced. Robin encourages her clients in that situation to make a researched offer to start a dialogue with the seller. “I have clients now that will say, Let’s see if they will negotiate,” she says. Sellers, who wouldn't previously come down on price because they didn’t have to, are now sometimes having to decide whether to do so. And they’re having open houses again.
CHECK IN
by VINCE GUERRIERI, portrait provided by ROBIN ROHRICH
Robin Rohrich
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“We hadn’t seen open houses for years,” she says. “Everything sold so quickly.” It’s also far less common for buyers to forego inspections, which was more common during the brisk housing market that kicked into high gear in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. “In many situations, the competitive landscape made it so that the only way to get a house was to waive inspections,” she says. “But it’s much less frequent for people to waive inspection, which is honestly good for the buyer and the seller. It’s good to have the information out on the table, as doing inspections protects both parties.” Interest rates have also risen, going from less than 3 percent in 2020 to around 7 percent today, and in many cases that has the biggest impact on first-time homebuyers, she says. But she notes that any qualified homebuyer can get a Federal Housing Administration loan, and that many people can still buy a house with just 5 percent down on the purchase price. “Many people think you have to have 20 percent to put down to buy a house, and that’s definitely not true,” she says. To get a sense of your budget, Robin recommends getting pre-approved with a lender. It's important to get pre-approved to know how much you should or can spend, and it allows you to move quickly in a fast-paced market. If you’re selling, Robin says you can get a pre-listing inspection on your home to get ahead of potential inspection issues. And finding the right Realtor — as a buyer or seller — is the most important step. “Make sure you really like your agent and are comfortable,” she says. “It’s an intense and fast relationship. You go from not knowing them to telling them the ins and outs of your lives. Choose someone you feel comfortable with.” stoufferrealty.com
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Fresh Design Buckeye Home & Threads offers local creations and wares. Home decor is more than just cute items sitting around your home — it holds emotions, memories and even sentimental value. What started as making crafts at home is now Buckeye Home & Threads — a Massillon family business that creates timeless home decor, apparel and more. “It started with me and my mom, we made crafts and did craft shows, and eventually just started making wooden decor pieces as well,” shop owner Sierra Small says.
The home decor and apparel shop offers light, airy vessels, signs, candleholders and more in white, ash and soft brown tones — catering to a more modern, rustic farmhouse interior design style with a touch of boho. “Our goal with our store is to offer something that can fit anybody’s style whether it be modern, contemporary or boho,” Small says. Buckeye also offers customizable apparel such as custom crewnecks
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HANDMADE FLAIR
by ZION WILLIAMS, photos by ERIN GULLING
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and sweatshirts alongside customizable framed photos and signs as well. “We handmake all of our signs. It’s a handmade frame, with our wood being sourced directly from Amish Country in Berlin, Ohio. Then, we create all the designs and print them in house,” Small says. Upon special request, Small makes custom handmade wooden home decor. Around the holidays, find specially crafted Christmas trees. “At Christmas time, my dad makes these cool bent-over Christmas trees, they’re kind of Grinch-inspired,” Small says. And some items — like their candle holders and faux flowers — are hand selected to create a curated seasonal collection. “I want them to feel the uniqueness of the products we carry — stuff you won’t find everywhere because we have a handful of local makers and consignors in the store that make other handmade items such as soy candles, bath and body products and more,” Small says. This handmade aspect makes the items more personal and helps Buckeye cultivate relationships with its customers. “Making friendships is a huge part of our business, we want to make friends with the people that come in and we hope they return again,” says Small. “Some of our customers have turned into more like family for us. We like to catch up with them when they come in. It’s definitely something we hold dear to us.” 7890 Navarre Road SW, Massillon, buckeyecraft.com
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Here are a few notable Buckeye items for your home.
Bat Mirror $14.95
This seasonal 19-inch bat mirror is a hot seller. “We’ve had to restock that three times already,” Small says. She recommends placing it in a corridor or on a decorative wall with other pictures and family decor.
Tabletop Centerpieces $35-$65
Candleholders and LED candles are popular for centerpieces. The candles and candleholders are often accompanied by faux florals that the shop carries.
Photos and Signs $12.95-$69.95
Choose from their in stock options or get a custom photo printed, paired with a handmade wood frame, from 8-by-8 inches ($12.95) up to 24-by-36 inches ($69.95). Small's father cuts each piece of wood to size for the frames. "We cut, sand and stain each frame by hand — we print off the design, attach everything together, put a hanger on the back, and it's ready to place in your home," says Small.
T-shirts and Crewnecks $20-$40
Small can make whatever you want into a custom T-shirt or crewneck. “We offer in-stock designs in our store and can also create any custom design to put on a shirt made specifically for you,” says Small. 33O HOMES FALL 2026
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Sierra Small (right)
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by VINCE GUERRIERI, photos by TIM FRANKLIN
Restored Jewel
This 1880s home was renovated with great care for its history.
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Dream Home An Eastlake-style home, built in 1884 by one of Akron’s early titans of industry, has been in Bruce Taylor’s family for a half-century. But it’s only recently been restored to its previous grandeur. Bruce and his wife, Janet, retired and returned home to Akron in 2021 after living abroad. Bruce’s parents bought the historic home in 1976, by which time it was nearly 100 years old — and his mother had lived there until her death in 2017. Renovations began in 2023. Across the street from the Hower House Museum, the home had been built by Edwin Merrill, who’d earned his fortune by making clay pipes. Merrill died in 1888, and his family lived in the house until 1910. By that time, the city’s millionaire’s row had shifted west, toward Highland Square and Merriman Road. Only a few homes remain near the Merrill house to indicate what the area once was. A three-year renovation — part of which was chronicled by the TV show “Restoration Road with Clint Harp” — was completed earlier this year on the home, which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. When Bruce's parents bought the Merrill house in 1976, they had their work cut out for them. “My parents get the credit for making sure the house survived,” Bruce says. “Family lore was that when they moved in, there were seven electrical outlets in the whole house, and only five worked. … They had to do electrical work and refit the plumbing. They redid the kitchen. By the time we moved in, those renovations needed renovating.” Bruce and Janet broke their renovation into three phases. The first phase — the black-and-white checkered floor kitchen, the foyer and the exterior — was shown in the episode of “Restoration Road,” which initially aired in 2024. The second and third phases included restorations and updates of the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms, as well as the restoration of the four rooms at the 24
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front of the home’s first floor. “My in-laws were Depression children, so they saved everything,” Janet says. “The attic and house were chock-ablock of stuff. We went through four dumpsters throwing it all out.” Tim Franklin, the owner and founder of Franklin & Associates, started overseeing the project in 2023. The first thing done was a complete excavation of the home and waterproofing of the basement. “If the foundation isn’t solid, there’s no sense in putting money into anything
above it,” says Franklin. The home gave Franklin and the Taylors a lot to work with. They estimate that nearly 90 percent of the house remains original, including the wood shutters and three stained glass windows, which had to be delicately removed to be fully cleaned and restored, a process which took more than two months. “We literally surgically took it apart and put it back together,” Franklin says. “We had to take it apart and relead it — think soldering — and
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make the new look like the old and secure all the pieces.” The main area of the first floor consists of a foyer with a staircase to the second floor and four rooms: A family parlor, a guests’ parlor, a formal dining room and a fourth room that the Taylors use as a library and office — but by their best guess, appeared to be one of the seven bedrooms in the home. Bruce notes that the wood trim is about 2 feet below the ceiling — comparable to the design in other bedrooms — and
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there’s a call button for servants in the room. One of the Taylors’ first priorities was to remove the wallpaper throughout, much of which dated back to various restoration efforts and didn’t really keep with the character of the home. All of it went — with the exception of a brown-and-green finepatterned print. “The wallpaper in the library was my mother-in-law’s choice,” Janet says. “We kept it in honor of her.” The wood trim is butternut in the main areas of the house, as is the main staircase. (The servants’ quarters have pine trim.) “Butternut isn’t exotic, but it’s not traditionally used in mansions,” Franklin says. “It’s
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unique because it’s warm and inviting, and it’s not dark. They were very smart to pick it.” Two of the sliding pocket doors' doorways on the first floor have latticework on them, which was painstakingly sanded and restored to its original condition. “One of my guys had the patience to do this — and all the shutters too — for months,” Franklin says. “They all look absolutely fantastic.” It’s a level of craftsmanship that just doesn’t exist anymore, Bruce says, which is why they wanted to preserve it. “Some of those ornamentations could have been ordered from a catalog when they were new — not anymore,” he says.
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Closer Look Bruce and Janet Taylor wanted a more spacious owner’s bathroom upstairs in this renovated historic Akron home. So they removed the closet that was in the bathroom to install a walk-in shower — and then added even more closet space by seamlessly building a new one in a bedroom that was turned into a dressing area for the suite. Most homes of that era and class featured walk-in closets, but Tim Franklin, owner and founder of Franklin
& Associates, built a new wall and added new wood doors, finishing and trimming them to match the style of the home and reusing hardware like hinges and handles. “It’s a great compromise,” Franklin says. “They have closet space, and it looks period-correct and nobody knows it’s not original. People think the closet’s been here forever.”
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An exterior fence built during the restoration also uses latticework at the top, both to make people feel less closed-in and to coordinate with the latticework inside the house. The first-floor rooms all feature pocket doors, another sign of the Merrills’ station in life, Franklin says. “We have beautiful homes around here that were middle managers at the rubber companies, and they don’t have pocket doors. It’s an added touch that showed you could afford the details.” The cramped full bathroom downstairs was turned into a halfbath, using a smaller radiator and taking out the 1920s-era cast iron bathtub to move upstairs. The tub is now in one of the two bathrooms upstairs. One, which appears to have been added in the 1920s, Bruce says, was converted to an en-suite bathroom for the owner’s bedroom, featuring a new walk-in shower. The other — with the tub — is a full bathroom accessible from the hallway. All the bathrooms have inlaid drawers, a period-accurate piece, Franklin says. A chimney going up the back wall of the house was removed, and the stove and sink — opposite of each other — were switched. The wood in the two pantries was cleaned and refinished, making it look nicer while maintaining the rooms’ character. “You can see it’s loved and used, but it’s got a lot of character,” Franklin says. On the exterior, the butterscotchcolored wood siding had to be replaced in some areas, as did the copper gutters. But it takes a trained eye to know where the originals stop and reproductions begin.
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The home now looks like it would have in the late 1800s inside and out — which was the goal, Janet says. “I wanted the bones of the house to come through so you could see the beauty of the wood and the beauty of the design,” Janet says. The Taylors live in the house and still have bedrooms for their grown sons when they come to visit. They’re both active in the community and want to show the fruits of their labor. “They want to use it for entertaining and workshops and for the historical society and for preservation,” Franklin says. Bruce says it’s important to share the house to encourage others to consider historic renovations — and not be intimidated by them. “The more people appreciate that preservation and real life can co-exist in day-to-day settings, then maybe there are people who will consider that for themselves,” he says.
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HARNESSING THE SUN 32
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by VINCE GUERRIERI
Smart Tech Consider if solar panels are right for your home. Many Ohioans have seen a marked increase in their electric bills over the past three years, and more of the same is likely in store as residential and industrial electrical demands continue to tax the available supply of an aging power grid. It’s estimated that, by 2030, there will be demand in the United States for more than 200 gigawatts of power — and that demand will be met in large part by solar energy, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Jeremiah Keeler is the president of Shade Tree Solar in Fairlawn, which installs solar panels on homes throughout Northeast Ohio. The price of outfitting a home with solar panels can seem steep — starting at $15,000, with an additional $11,000 for a battery backup system — but the benefits outstrip the payments in the system’s 25- to 30-year lifespan. (Keeler says Shade Tree has financing options available or recommends a home equity loan to help pay for it.) “It’ll cost some money paying off the panels, but after that, it will save you money,” Keeler says. In most instances, the home remains connected to the power grid, but any electricity generated by the solar panels that’s unused in the house will go into the grid. A net meter monitors power use and gives the customer credit on their electric bill. The goal is to have enough solar energy to offset the
electricity used by connection to the power grid, but external factors might not make that possible, Keeler says. Before installation, Keeler says Shade Tree considers factors including the pitch of the roof, the direction of the house and potential shade coverage. The most important consideration is the house’s direction. A good south elevation that gets a lot of sunshine and no shade coverage is ideal, but good east and west elevations matter as well. Pitch matters a little, but shade coverage can matter a lot. Keeler notes that solar panels are powered by ultraviolet rays, which are minimally impacted by cloud coverage. So, even on overcast days, solar panels work. And since solar panels carry a current, they can melt off snow. But heavy accumulation over a lengthy period of time can affect solar collection. Shade Tree typically uses Hyundai or Q-Cell panels, depending on design specifications, and customers buy them. Keeler notes that the panels should be put on the homeowner’s insurance policy to cover potential weather damage, which would not be covered under warranty. The panels, typically 2 by 4 feet, are usually installed facing the same way to make them look unobtrusive. “We try to make it look like a skylight or a sheet of glass on the roof,” Keeler says. The installation is relatively simple, typically
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taking a day to connect the panels — which include converters to change the electricity from direct current to alternating current, which most homes use — and connecting them to the breaker box with a separate box in the house. (There’s also an emergency disconnect box outside the house to be turned off in case of a fire.) Installers run wires directly through a small hole in the roof, which is sealed to prevent any leaks. They also do a post-inspection to ensure everything is correct. Keeler touts the environmental benefits of solar panels — comparing their impact to trees planted — but he thinks the more pragmatic message is to share potential cost savings and resale value. “If someone wants to sell a house with solar panels, you’ll see $2 of value for every dollar spent,” he says. “When you add solar panels to a home, it tends to do well.” 2436 Audubon Road, Akron, 440-261-2232, shadetreesolar.net
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Know the City. Love the Life.
THE HEARTBEAT OF THE 330.
330.253.0056 akronlife.com/subscribe 34
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DOWNTOWN
AKRON LIVING PLACES. EVENTS. ADVENTURES.
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photo by Matt Fox
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by SYDNEY STEVENSON and photos by NATALIA GRIFFITHS
Fantasy Realm
The Green Dragon Inn brings a medieval environment to all.
At the Green Dragon Inn, you are transported into a medieval fantasy, complete with secret doors leading to “dungeons,” specially-crafted elixirs and a mural depicting a heroic knight fending off a dragon. Owner and proprietor Jameson Reeves has always loved fantasy movies — a passion he says inspired his idea for the Green Dragon. “All of the fantasy movies or stories, it always just felt like family,” he says. “I thought a medieval tavern kind of gives that feel. It’s community and adventure.” Much of the bar’s immersive nature lies within its intricate decorations — many of which were sourced locally. The chairs next to the front entrance were salvaged from the ruins of St. Peter’s church in Cleveland, while the tables were crafted by Amish artisans in Pennsylvania. The mural of the brave knight was handpainted by local artist Matt Miller. Even the menus, adorned with medieval-style drawings of fair maidens and vikings, were designed by local graphic designer Kayla Borroto. Patrons can choose from a variety of food and drink options, which Reeves describes as elevated bar food, including flatbreads, sandwiches and share plates. A highlight is its signature flaming cocktail, the Green Dragon ($11), which combines Towpath Distillery spiced rum, almond orgeat, lulo and pineapple juice. Some of Reeves’ favorite dishes are the pretzel sticks with beer cheese and the Tav’s Elote ($7) — a corn dip made with pumpkin-coconut crema, Tajín, jalapeno and lime, served with tortilla chips. Reeves incorporated his lifetime love of fantasy games — patrons can play a selection from over 700 board games like Catan and Ticket to Ride. Green Dragon also offers kid-friendly games and nonalcoholic beverages, a choice Reeves hopes will encourage those of all ages to enjoy the space. “We try to cater toward everyone so that everyone can get an opportunity to have an experience here,” he says. 115 E. Market St., Akron, 234-231-1534, greendragoninn.com 2
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Jameson Reeves
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by SYDNEY STEVENSON and photos by NATALIA GRIFFITHS
Open Play
Gamers of all types come together at Full Grip Games. Full Grip Games in Akron draws visitors from throughout the world for its gaming tournaments, its impressive selection of collectibles and its wide range of products. Recently, it’s welcomed guests from as far as New Zealand and Ecuador. The store hosts both weekly and quarterly events, with some reaching nearly 200 attendees. “This past weekend [in July], we had 160 players on Saturday, and then about 120 players on Sunday, which is almost at full capacity for the game store,” says owner and proprietor Jameson Reeves. Full Grip started as an online retailer operating out of Reeves’ basement in West Akron. Six months later, he opened a retail space, which he continues to expand 10 years later. Events take place six days a week — daily except Saturdays. At its front desk, customers can buy, sell and trade rare Pokémon cards, another way Full Grip connects with the community. “We are constantly always buying, selling and trading in the store, which is nice because that gives us inventory, but it also gives our customer base an opportunity to monetize their hobby,” Reeves says. Beyond its main retail space — where customers can find Lego sets, plushies inspired by their favorite games and customizable Warhammer figurines — there is also a secondary retail space that houses Full Grip’s extensive board game collection, boasting over 3,400 titles. Connected to this space is a candy store — a part of Full Grip — that’s also owned and operated by Reeves. Reeves hopes that Full Grip continues to bring both gamers and non-gamers from different backgrounds together. “It’s people that normally would not mix, but they do here,” he says. “We all come together, and we show up and chill out and have a great, fun, safe time.” 121 E. Market St., Akron, 234-312-9806, fullgripgames.com
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STAYING WELL-FED IN DOWNTOWN AKRON THE 1 FOOD & SPIRITS
BOILING HOUSE
Located in the stylish Blu-Tique Hotel, the 1 blends culture, dining and live music into a fabulous experience.
Chow down on Cajun-style seafood boils with the seafood of your choice, corn and potatoes boiled in a delicious, flavorful broth. Plus, try specialty sushi rolls, cocktails and boba teas.
69 TAPHOUSE Come for casual lunches, happy hours, date nights or weekend celebrations. 69 Taphouse is your neighborhood spot for cocktails and game nights.
AKRON COFFEE ROASTERS It serves pour-over, hand-brewed coffee and espresso drinks — along with avocado toast and granola.
AKRONYM BREWING This downtown brewery is where community and craft are warmly celebrated. In addition to awardwinning craft beer, Akronym has a full menu of appetizers, flatbread pizzas and handhelds.
BAR PHOENIX & THE PHOENIX ROOM Step into a bold, jazz-infused establishment serving stylish, theatrical cocktails alongside an exciting selection of flatbreads, bowls and decadent desserts.
BARLEY HOUSE
CAFE 388 A Stray Dog Cafe satellite location, it features breakfast, lunch and takehome dinners.
CHAMELEON CAFE Experience the eclectic, joyful coffee and lunch spot. Its seasonal drinks menu is one of many highlights.
CHILL AND INDULGE It serves 32 handmade flavors of ice cream, including vegan and non-dairy, and Akron classic-recipe chocolates for all occasions.
CILANTRO THAI & SUSHI RESTAURANT Since 2009, Cilantro Thai & Sushi Restaurant has been crafting spectacular sushi, Thai, ramen and poké in downtown Akron. Combined with a full slate of inspired cocktails in a lovely dining room, an evening at Cilantro is always a special occasion.
Sit long, talk much and laugh often: The Barley House serves traditional American pub food with 30 craft beers on tap and 30 TVs to watch the game.
THE CIRCLE OF 5THS
BAXTER’S SPEAKEASY
Inside a chic spot in the heart of downtown Akron, the new Crafty Steere location is a downtown showcase for locally made foods from talented regional producers.
The kitschiest bar in town, Baxter’s Speakeasy is a beacon in the Historic Arts District and hosts weekly dance parties, open mics and more.
This craft cocktail bar specializes in one-of-kind cocktail experiences with a curated selection of handheld fare.
CRAFTY STEERE
photos top to bottom, left to right: by Matt Fox, El Patrón Tequilería & Cuisine, Shane Wynn, Akronym Brewing, Matt Fox, Jilly's Music Room and Shane Wynn DAP DOWNTOWN AKRON PARTNERSHIP
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CRAVE
HIGH ST. HOP HOUSE
MUGGSWIGZ COFFEE AND TEA
Located in the historic 1923 Landmark Building, Crave’s eclectic American menu incorporates flavors from around the world in an environment that is classic yet modern.
A classic pub in Downtown Akron’s Historic Arts District, it specializes in bourbon, cocktails and some of the best craft beers around.
Sources, roasts, blends and serves some of the best coffee in Ohio, along with the highest-quality teas and seasonal pastry offerings.
THE DAILY PRESSED
ILIĆ CAFE
NICOLE’S SOUTHERN KITCHEN
This delightful coffee shop has freshbaked sweet and savory pastries, plus sandwiches, soups and salads made fresh daily.
It serves up breakfast and lunch buffets daily, with soul food flair.
Enjoy a European-style coffee shop and bistro with breakfast, lunch and dinner options, along with entertainment and cocktails in the evening.
DIAMOND DELI A downtown Akron must for over 28 years, it serves the best corned beef in town, along with signature overstuffed sandwiches with humorous names and much more.
D.P. DOUGH Open till 3 or 4 a.m., D.P. Dough is downtown’s late-night destination for custom calzones available in over 30 different varieties.
EDDIE’S FAMOUS CHEESESTEAKS AND GRILLE A downtown institution serving award-winning, elevated street food in the form of cheesesteaks, fresh steak-cut fries, gyros, slammers and more.
EL PATRÓN TEQUILERÍA & CUISINE It perfectly pairs delicious Mexican cuisine with owner Luis Escudero’s expertise in the finest tequila and mezcal.
EVELYN’S COFFEE AND BANH MI AT LOCK 3 A coffee shop located in Lock 3, it serves up banh mi, salads, smoothies, dumplings, egg rolls and kimbap with signature Vietnamese coffee.
THE GREEN DRAGON INN Find a flavorful and fun menu with excellent cocktails and mocktails in a gamer’s paradise. Choose from over 700 board games available to play.
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.
Get warm, fresh cookies delivered — even if you’re up really late.
This sophisticated social lounge whisks patrons back to the 1920s and serves some of the best whiskey and cocktails in town.
JILLY’S MUSIC ROOM
THE PEANUT SHOPPE
Boasting a tasty menu that is 100 percent gluten-free and made from scratch, Jilly’s Music Room also has legendary brunch service on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A downtown institution since the 1930s, the Peanut Shoppe offers numerous varieties of fresh-roasted nuts — plus candies, chocolates and more.
KABYLIA BAGUETTE
The veteran-owned bar and grill specializes in top-shelf bourbon and unique specialty burgers in a warm, inviting space.
INSOMNIA COOKIES
This bakery serves artisan breads and pastries, as well as Akron Coffee Roasters coffee, inside Bounce Innovation Hub.
LUCIANO’S CUCINA ITALIANA Enjoy authentic Italian cuisine in an atmosphere that is stylish, modern and welcoming. The menu is filled with thoughtfully crafted dishes as well as food experiences like the Parmigiano-Reggiano wheel pasta, prepared tableside in a cheese wheel.
LUIGI’S RESTAURANT
PERFECT POUR
PIZZA 77 ON MAIN A beacon for late-night pizza seekers since 1992, its pies are hot, delicious and affordable.
STRAY DOG CAFE It makes Akron more Akron-y with hot dogs, Akron Pickles, wraps, salads, sandwiches and more.
STREET TREATS GRILL
A local institution, Luigi’s Restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner with award-winning pizza, Italian food, sandwiches and legendary cheese-topped salads.
The breakfast and lunch spot in the Summit County Courthouse serves a variety of sandwiches, salads, soups, breakfast foods and more.
THE MERCANTILE
Discover inspired pizza creations — from more traditional pies to hybrid pizzas like the Willie Nelson, featuring barbecue pork belly, breaded chicken, Gorgonzola crumbles and more.
A modern neighborhood general store where everyday essentials, thoughtfully prepared fresh food and locally made goods come together under one roof.
MISSING FALLS BREWERY Award-winning craft brewery with a great selection of sandwiches, wraps, pizzas and burgers, plus weekly trivia and other special events in a spacious, relaxed atmosphere.
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NORTHSIDE SPEAKEASY
TOTALLY BAKED PIZZA
URBEAN CAFE Located at the Robert K. Pfaff Metro Transit Center, Urbean Cafe serves breakfast and lunch.
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by SYDNEY STEVENSON and photo by BEN WISINSKI
Returning to Roots A couple comes back to Akron and lands at 159 Main. For Akron natives Mike and Elizabeth “Liz” Klein, the return to the Rubber City after 15 years in Oregon was a full-circle moment. While searching for apartments in the area, the pair found 159 Main, a renovated historic building in the heart of downtown. It was also the home of Mike’s bank in his teen years. Liz is a retired paraprofessional who worked with children with disabilities. Mike is semi retired, works remotely and enjoys doing photography and historical research. Their two-bedroom unit has large windowpanes that showcase the city they now call home again. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO MOVE BACK TO AKRON? Liz Klein: It was always a given that we would move back here. We hit retirement age, I had already lost some siblings, and I knew I couldn’t wait forever to get back and spend some time with my grandbabies.
Q & A
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN THE CITY? Mike Klein: Chill [Artisan] ice cream — man, that stuff is killer. Their vegan ice cream is even better than their regular. There are some great flavors in there. LK: We entertained when we first got back here, and we would always call it a ‘taste of Akron.’ We would get things from all these places: Red bean salad from Papa Joe’s [Iacomini’s], cheese dip from El Patrón [Tequilería & Cuisine] and Luigi’s [Restaurant] pizza. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE CITY ACTIVITIES? MK: The biggest thing this summer has been the music. It just pours in from Lock 3, and there were free concerts at the Akron Art Museum. We even have all the events printed out for Lock 3. LK: There’s something down here almost every night. Then there’s a children’s museum. We take our grandkids to that. HOW HAVE YOU INCORPORATED YOUR FAMILY HISTORY INTO YOUR APARTMENT? MK: The bar is my great-grandfather’s. It’s about 70-plus years old. … This tobacco station is my great-grandfather’s too. My dad, when he was a little boy, used to reach in there for candy. We all put candy in there now. LK: I was a big tea drinker. With my mom being from Scotland, I used to collect teapots. Now, I have a little tea station. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT AKRON? MK: You take one step, and you have a connection with somebody in this town. LK: People are just so friendly here. I mean, we know the people down at the Peanut Shoppe by name. … You don’t really feel like you’re in a big city. Akron is a big small town — it really is. We’re just home. We feel very at home here.
159 MAIN
Living Spaces: Studio, one- and two-bedroom units for rent // Amenities: Pet-friendly, game room, theater, virtual fitness, pet-grooming station, rentable community conference rooms and workspaces, interior courtyard, skywalk access to parking deck and more 159 S. Main St., Akron, 330-752-6797, 159main.com
Liz and Mike Klein
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FUN & GAMES IN DOWNTOWN AKRON AKRON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
photos top to bottom, left to right: by city of Akron, David Gottas for both Frost Fest photos, Talia Hodge, Jose Rodriguez, Talia Hodge and Downtown Akron Partnership staff
It offers kids and families big fun on sturdy foundations with every handson exhibit designed to encourage curiosity and play with subjects grounded in STEM, arts, culture, health, wellness and community roots in Akron and Summit County.
COMEDY NIGHT Laugh it up at a weekly open-mic comedy night at the Daily Pressed (or make ‘em laugh by getting onstage). Enjoy improv shows at Jilly’s Music Room, Wild Oscar’s and Baxter’s Speakeasy too.
COMPETITION There’s a league for everyone looking to celebrate their own competitive spirit, from Summit Sports and Socialled volleyball and cornhole to euchre, cornhole and pool leagues in downtown pubs. You can even get a round of (simulated) golf in at Tee Time Any Time.
EXPLORE THE TOWPATH Possibly downtown Akron’s best feature: The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail runs through the district, connecting to Summit Lake and points south, as well as Cuyahoga Valley National Park and points north. In downtown, you can visit Lock 3 Park, enjoy the over 470 Japanese cherry blossom trees when they bloom in the spring, visit the historic Mustill Store and Museum and take in Akron history at the Akron History Center.
FACE THE MUSIC With no fewer than 10 venues hosting live music all year-round, you’ll never go a day without a song in your heart. Magnificent venues like the Akron Civic Theatre, E.J. Thomas Hall and Lock 3 host the biggest national and international acts, while cool, intimate clubs like Jilly’s Music Room, Musica and BLU Jazz+ present the best local and national bands and musicians across every genre.
THE FREE ACTIVITIES Walking tours, film screenings, live concerts, line dancing and summer bike DAP DOWNTOWN AKRON PARTNERSHIP
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rentals are just a few of the many free things to do in the neighborhood. Visit downtownakron.com for a list of events.
FULL GRIP GAMES Shop an extensive selection of board games, Magic the Gathering, Pokémon and more, or try your hand at one of Full Grip's numerous weekly gaming tournaments.
THE GREAT ESCAPE ROOM Visit its meticulously designed escape rooms for thrilling adventures in haunted hotels and challenging arcades. Or plan a midnight heist with family, friends or team members.
THE RESOURCES Enjoy visiting the Akron-Summit County Public Library, offering 2.4 million items and resources, along with opportunities for lifelong learning every day.
SKATE YOUR HEART OUT Winter or summer, lace up your skates and enjoy some classic fun. In the winter months, Lock 3 offers ice skating, ice bikes and ice bumper cars, and in the summer, DAP hosts skate nights on Cascade Plaza with DJs and theme nights.
THE SPORTS Cheer on teams and athletes from University of Akron’s college football, soccer and basketball to the Akron RubberDucks’ minor league baseball games and the Akron Marathon.
STREET CRAFTERY Downtown’s premier destination for crafting and creative expression for all ages. Enjoy guided creative experiences in creating art on canvas, hand-crafting scented candles and making memories. Browse its gift shop for candles, home fragrances, body care and more.
TRIVIA NIGHTS Take your pick and test your mental acuity at a number of weekly trivia nights in downtown pubs, including music trivia at Missing Falls Brewery and trivia nights at Akronym Brewing and High St. Hop House. 7
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by ELIZABETH MAYLE and photo by ERIN GULLING
Abundant Possibilities Cleveland transplant Ryan Turner feels at home in The Goodrich. Although Cleveland transplant Ryan Turner has lived in many apartment buildings, the Goodrich is the first that has checked all the boxes. A sales representative for Ventiv, Turner relocated to Akron in 2022 with his fianceé, Maria, when she took a job at Akron Children’s hospital. Turner appreciates his apartment’s clean, simple design — perfect for renters who want to make it feel like their own. “One of my favorite hobbies is interior design, so I wanted something that was truly a blank canvas,” he says. “You really get to start fresh with any idea you have.” Turner has furnished the apartment with many vintage and mid-century modern items. In addition to the comfortable space Turner shares with Maria and their beloved cat, Peru — thanks to the building’s pet-friendly status — he also enjoys the Goodrich’s many amenities and being within walking distance of his favorite events and restaurants. WHAT ARE YOUR APARTMENT’S BEST FEATURES? Ryan Turner: We got basically floor-to-ceiling windows. … It’s a ton of natural light. That was huge for us because we were living in downtown Cleveland — we wanted a lot more light. … It’s also more of an industrial vibe, so if someone appreciates the architectural value of living in the Goodrich, which is an old tire factory, it gives you that kind of check off the list of just living someplace more unique that you might not be able to get outside the city. Also, everything’s contemporary for the most part. You got brand-new appliances, you got great staff, so it’s a great place to start and live here long-term. WHAT KIND OF AMENITIES DOES THE GOODRICH OFFER? RT: The gym is No. 1 for me, because I’m [also] a personal trainer. It’s a massive gym. I mean, it’s fully stocked. You got squat rack, leg press — you got everything you could possibly need. It’s probably more equipped than any apartment complex gym that I’ve ever been to. You got outdoor amenities, like a grill that I use all the time, whenever we’re meal prepping for the week. It also has fire pits for community events and stuff like that. I’m always out there enjoying my time with Maria. … Whenever she’s reading a book, we’re having a glass of wine and a nice evening. It’s really nice just to kind of relax in a gated section that’s private and makes it feel a little bit more upscale. WHY IS DOWNTOWN AKRON A GOOD FIT FOR YOU? RT: We wanted to walk the [Ohio & Erie Canal] Towpath [Trail] all the time, and now we can just go right by it. You don’t even have to get in your car — you can just turn around and walk straight to the Towpath. That’s a big thing here because we like to exercise, we like to experience the Towpath as much as possible. And secondly, I’ve been learning about downtown events. Like, there was the [Summit County] Italian-American Festival that we went to tap into my heritage a little bit, and then we went to the fireworks [on July Fourth], which is one of the best displays I’ve ever seen.
THE GOODRICH
Living Spaces: For rent, studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments // Amenities: 24-hour emergency maintenance, yoga and Pilates studio, gym, petfriendly with dog wash spa, sundeck, grills, fire pits, games, dry-cleaning services, movie theater, patios, lounges, in-suite washer and dryer, private workspaces and more 530 S. Main St., Akron, 330-607-9617, thegoodrich.com 8
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Ryan Turner
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by ELIZABETH MAYLE and photos by NATALIA GRIFFITHS
GPD Group expands Downtown Akron presence.
Brick by Darrin Kotecki
Brick
If you’ve driven on Interstate 77, grabbed a bite to eat at a North Canton, Youngstown or Medina Chick-Fil-A, or been to a number of Akron Public Schools’ Community Learning Centers, you’ve experienced the work of GPD Group. Although the architectural and engineering firm now operates on a national scale, its story started here in Akron in the ‘60s. Its first location was on White Pond Drive. “We’ve been in Akron ever since,” says president Darrin Kotecki. “It’s always been our headquarters from day one.” While GPD’s core remains in Northeast Ohio, the company also boasts 14 offices total with locations in Texas, Kentucky, Washington, Georgia, Arizona, Indiana, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Between these locations, GPD has nearly 1,000 employees. Offering both architectural and engineering services in the public and private sectors, GPD’s expertise is vast. The company has designed the intermodal transit facility for Akron Metro RTA, has worked on the Gorge Dam Removal Project and the city of Akron's Main Street Promenade Project and more. Its employee-owned structure creates retention and loyalty. “We have a turnover rate of less than 4.5 percent,” Kotecki says. GPD has been leasing Goodrich Buildings 24 and 25 since 1988, but in December, GPD purchased Buildings 24 and 25 — as well as the old Spaghetti Warehouse building. It will enable the group to continue expanding its downtown-based headquarters from 160,000 to 260,000 square feet and renovate the space. The city of Akron has helped GPD expand parking for its employees and is continuing to improve infrastructure. Main Street will be reconstructed from Cedar to Bartges streets to expand the downtown district to the southern end of downtown. Of the nearly 1,000 people the group employs, 490 are in Akron. The improved, spacious headquarters will enable the company to keep doing what it does best: growing and maintaining their culture and quality of work. It has seen a 10 to 12 percent increase in revenue growth across all locations. Most importantly, the new facility will help GPD give back to the community in a greater capacity. GPD has already prioritized internship opportunities for youth, training and employing over 70 interns this summer in the Akron office, the majority of whom attend The University of Akron. “We want to show them that there are larger companies and meaningful engineering jobs right here in Akron, and they don't need to leave the area,” Kotecki explains. Plus, GPD employees complete an average of 2,500 volunteer hours every year. Through the GPD Group Employees’ Foundation, over $1 million is given away each yearly grant cycle to enrich the educational experiences of at-risk children and children with medical and special needs. The group also offers temporary, free office space, information technology and human resources support and mentoring to up-and-coming women- and minority-owned businesses that want to establish a local presence. The new, expanded headquarters will allow GPD to take more employees and interns under its wing and help more Ohio-based startups, making our local community a place people want to stay. “We purchased the building to show our commitment to the city of Akron and the communities that it serves by making it our headquarters for years to come,” Kotecki says, “We are renovating the buildings and the property to be an anchor business that we all can be proud of on the south end of the downtown district.” gpdgroup.com
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11 BEST THINGS ABOUT LIVING IN DOWNTOWN AKRON THE CANAL photos top to bottom, left to right by Matt Fox, Jose Rodriguez, city of Akron, Matt Fox, pet and bus photos by Talia Hodge and Jack Haines
The historic Ohio & Erie Canal runs right through downtown, flanked by the 101-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail — ideal for evening walks, morning runs, long bike rides and quiet moments by the water.
THE CULTURE Downtown is home to a vibrant arts and culture scene, fed by the Akron Civic Theatre, Akron Symphony Orchestra, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, the Nightlight cinema and celebrations like Akron Pride Festival, the Downtown Akron Sakura Festival, Akron Latin Festival and more.
THE DIGS Attractive living options abound in downtown Akron, from luxury spaces in renovated historic buildings to hip, modern apartments with a range of amenities. The choices continue to grow for people of all walks of life who want to live downtown.
THE FOOD There are more than 50 places to grab a bite or sip, with creative fare from around the world, for any taste or occasion.
THE FREE ACTIVITIES Walking tours, film screenings, live concerts, line dancing 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.
THE KNOWLEDGE The University of Akron is a world leader in polymer science and plastics engineering — plus, it offers 200-plus degree programs to help set students up for future success. Downtown is also home to the main Akron-Summit County Public Library, offering 2.4 million items and resources, along
with opportunities for lifelong learning every day.
THE MUSEUMS & GALLERIES Inspiration and creativity are downtown’s superpowers. The Akron Art Museum, Summit Artspace and Akron Soul Train present engaging exhibitions year-round. Curated Storefront brings fascinating art directly to shop windows. Kids and families can enjoy plentiful fun and discovery at the Akron Children’s Museum, and you can get a closer look at history at the Akron History Center, the National Museum of Psychology and Hower House Museum, all within walking distance of each other.
THE MUSIC Not many cities have a whole sound named after them! The Akron Sound continues to influence the artists of today. Downtown’s many music venues are endlessly hopping with energetic, varied and unforgettable performances.
THE PARKS Experience the best of urban living and the natural world with downtown’s close proximity and connection to both the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Summit Metro Parks.
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 TRANSIT 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.
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by CARLINA KRAJNIK and photo by BEN WISINSKI
City Living Amanda Martin enjoys downtown living at the Vine on Main — and being close to her work. Raised in rural Ashland County, Ohio, Amanda Martin was used to living a quieter country lifestyle before pursuing nursing school in Southern Ohio — and later moving to Cleveland and then Alliance. Working as a nurse at Akron Children’s hospital for four years, she commuted 45 minutes to her job before deciding to search for a more local place to live. Her sister suggested looking in downtown Akron. “I’m like, You know, that actually sounds like fun. And then it’s really close to work,” Martin recalls. She is now in graduate school at Kent State University, where she's studying to become a family nurse practitioner. She toured the Vine on Main, loved features like the in-unit washer and dryer and moved in during September 2025. She now enjoys downtown life and its energy, walking to her 12-hour shifts at the hospital, taking her dog, Lila, on strolls on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and hanging out with her cat, Finn.
Q & A
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF DOWNTOWN? Amanda Martin: I really am enjoying living downtown. … In September, it’ll be a year. … I ended up getting a dog in February, and I’ve explored so much more since I’ve had her, because we go on walks and we walk down to Lock 3, and we go down to Barley House. … We walk all over the place. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE ATMOSPHERE OF DOWNTOWN? AM: There's good energy here — when I take my dog on walks, there are people all over, and it's generally a positive atmosphere. When we pass by, people are friendly, they say, Hi, even though I've never met them. WHAT IS A FAVORITE LOCAL SPOT YOU LIKE TO VISIT? AM: I’ve been to Perfect Pour, which is really close to my apartment, and they’re really cute. I like their food!
VINE ON MAIN
Living Spaces: One to three-bedroom apartments for rent // Amenities: Walk-in closets, business center, lounge, on-site retail, fitness center, yoga studio, bike storage, in-unit washer and dryer and more 22 E. Exchange St., Akron, 234-271-2172
Amanda Martin
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The Goodrich in Downtown Akron Studio, 1 + 2 Bedroom Luxury Apartments thegoodrich.com living@thegoodrich.com
330-607-9617 Sophistication, style, and comfort collide to bring you the ultimate living experience.
About Downtown Akron Partnership: DAP’s mission is to build and promote a vibrant and valuable downtown Akron that is welcoming to all. Follow DAP for information about all things downtown Akron, from programs and events to business development and ambassador services. downtownakron.com
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DAP DOWNTOWN AKRON PARTNERSHIP
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ROBIN ROHRICH
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL
Trust the local expert, because in today’s market, experience matters! Let’s make your next move a success! Robin Rohrich I 330-696-4179 I rrohrich@gmail.com
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SIMON & SALHANY REALTY
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