Live Life Outdoors

Penguin City Brewing Co.

“Tough times don’t last. Tough cities do.” That is the Youngstown-loving motto painted on the metal exterior wall of this 32,000-square-foot warehouse along Fed- eral Street at the east end of downtown. In July 2022, it became the new location for Penguin City Brewing Co. The property — a former steel mill supply factory that sat vacant for several years — is a much bigger venue than the brewery’s original location at the former B&O railroad depot on the other side of downtown Youngstown.

“We went from 10 barrels to 20 barrels [of production],” says Aspasia Lyras, one of the brewery’s owners. “We wanted to create a brewing company that represented the history, pride and people of our area, and we wanted to make our mark in the beer industry in Ohio and beyond.”

Penguin City, which has been a Youngstown favorite since 2018, routinely has a selection of about 10 beers on tap, ranging from year-round staples like Penguin City Lite and Penguin City Golden Ale to seasonal favorites like the brewery’s Oktoberfest Bier and Winter Warmer. Penguin City does not have a kitchen, but food trucks are on-site daily. Favorites include TortA’Mo, which serves Mexicanstyle sandwiches, and Cheezelouize, which offers comfort favorites like mac and cheese. The brewery is family friendly and welcomes dogs both inside and outside.

“A lot of people are surprised by just the size of [the place],” Lyras says. “They don’t realize how big it is until they actually walk in.” 460 E. Federal St., Youngstown 44503, 330/755-0709, penguincity.beer

DeBartolo Commons at Southern Park Mall

Southern Park Mall in Boardman added several new businesses to its lineup within the past two years, thanks to a $30 million redevelopment project. Additions include new restaurants and entertainment options, but DeBartolo Commons, a 4-acre outdoor venue that includes a sports field and green space for festivals and public recreation, is something entirely different.

Unless a group has the space booked, visitors can play a spontaneous soccer or baseball game at the commons, which also has enough room to host summer concerts and food trucks. The holiday season will bring festive events and an ice-skating rink.

“It’s an outdoor community hangout,” says Linda Macala, executive director of the Mahoning County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Inside the mall, visitors can view the DeBartolo Commons Legacy Exhibit, which celebrates the life of namesake Edward J. DeBartolo. A Youngstown native, DeBartolo came from humble beginnings and studied engineering at the University of Notre Dame and served in the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II. DeBartolo had a passion for construction and was a pioneer of the shopping mall. He also owned sports teams, including the San Francisco 49ers. The Legacy Exhibit tells the story of DeBartolo’s life.

DeBartolo Commons is part of a larger expansion of the southern end of the mall, which is also home to The Bunker, an indoor space to learn and play golf; and Steel Valley Brew Works, a large lounge that boasts a fun atmosphere for socializing with friends while enjoying indoor games alongside food, beer, cocktails and coffee. 7401 Market St., Boardman 44512, 330/7584512, debartolocommons.com