The Winter 2024 ZipsGuide to Shopping Small and Local in Downtown Akron

ZIPSGUIDE CONTRIBUTORS

Contributors to ZipsGuide are students in a Public Relations Writing or News Writing course with Professor Cajigas.

Odeliz Beltran

Jaelyn Clinkscales

Olivia Ellis

Natalie Feaser

Audrey Fleck

Emma Garee

Divine Godspower-Odiong

Gabby Griffiths

George Henderson

Allison Henry

Kayla Herrington

Amore Hill

Elizabeth Lattime

Zach Lininger

David Penta

Kiana Pettiford

Zackary Storms

Nicole Zylka

EDITOR & LAYOUT: Julie A Cajigas

EDITOR’S NOTE

For our third edition ZipsGuide gifting guide, we have changed the name to the “Winter 2024” guide. Though we talk about the holidays quite a bit throughout, the new title is intended to remind us that gifting doesn’t stop when we reach January 2. Birthdays, anniversaries, milestones and celebrations happen all throughout the year, and this guide can be used and enjoyed well past the holidays.

The ZipsGuide students worked extremely hard to put this guide together. Many of them were simultaneously working on the ZipsGuide “Made in the 330 Monday” Holiday Market, which was a great success in its first year.

I want to take this opportunity to let them know that I am proud of them and to congratulate them on their writing in this edition, which serves as a culminating experience for the semester.

I would also like to thank Dominic Caruso and Downtown Akron Partnership, our community partner and The University of Akron EXL Center, who supports the ZipsGuide Project.

If you would like to learn more about ZipsGuide, please visit us at www.ZipsGuide.com, or follow us on Instagram.

We hope that this guide connects you with special, one-of-a-kind, locally produced gifts. When you shop local, you put your hard earned dollars back into our community.

Thank you for reading and for shopping local in downtown Akron,

Professor Julie A Cajigas ZipsGuide Editor

Students from the PR Writing coures on a ZipsGuide field trip to Northside Marketplace.

Buy a Gift Receive a Gift Give a Gift At Summit Artspace

This holiday season, consider gifting art from a working artist in the community, receive the gift of their creative spirit, and gift them the resources to grow their craft.

By Beth Lattime

“I am not alone.”

These words stuck in my chest.

They are the words of Rob Greer, a turnkey artist with experience as a Christian hip hop artist, photographer, videographer, and writer, who has found a community of like-minded artists.

Greer holds studio space on the third floor of Summit Artspace.

According to the Summit Artspace website, its mission is to connect artists and artist-serving organizations to the community and to the resources they need to thrive professionally, creatively, and financially.

Greer had long struggled with which one of his artistic ventures to focus on. Because of the support he receives at Summit Art Space, he now realizes that he doesn’t have to choose.

“I used to believe I had to pick one of these things,” he said of his variety of artistic interests, “and got overwhelmed with trying to pick one thing to focus on artistically.”

“I am all these things and that is what makes it (Summit Artspace) great for me,” he said.

Summit Artspace serves as an invaluable resource for artists like Greer.

Above: Natalie Patrick, Director of Artist Services and Rob Greer, a studio artist at Summit Artspace, standing in front of Greer's custom made merchandise.

Right: Entering Summit Artspace.

Photos by Beth Lattime

The downtown hub for local artists, art lovers and the community is just a short walk from The University of Akron campus and many downtown destinations. Located at 140 E. Market St. in Akron, admission is free to the public on Fridays from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The community is a vital resource for the artists of Summit Artspace, supporting them through membership donations and by purchasing work from individual artists.

The support isn’t just monetary though.

Summit Art Space Executive Director, Heather Meeker, recalls a memorable moment when a group of fourth graders came into Summit Artspace for a field trip.

One boy spoke up during the visit, saying artists “need someone to tell them they are doing a good job.”

This resonated with Meeker, who often mentors newer artists in her role.

“I often tell emerging artists that there is no right formula for how an artist should create their practice or their business,” she said.

“In fact, every artist has a custom job. How an artist pulls resources for their practice comes from inside them and from their practice,” Meeker said. “For me, so often emerging artists think there is a right or wrong way to do this when really the formula is unique to them.”

By helping artists find the financial support and resources to focus on their work, the organization is advancing the local art scene.

“Summit Artspace wants to be the resource that takes new artists and experienced artists under its wings to grow into whatever that individual wants,” Natalie Patrick, a fiber artist and Director of Artist Services, said.

How does Summit Artspace achieve its mission?

The space is designed to connect art lovers with working artists.

Visitors can observe the artists’ process, buy artwork from them on the spot and ask questions to learn more about the artist and their work.

The artwork on display at Summit Artspace is also the work of its resident artists.

“About 99% of the things you see

in the building are by living artists,” Antonio Rion, development and education coordinator at Summit Art Space, said.

He explained that Summit is not a collecting organization, meaning, they aren’t in the interested in building a collection of artworks by famous or deceased artists. Instead, they are focused on giving active, working artists a platform.

For Rion, the collaborative energy is the secret sauce. “Everyone in the building is here to help each other,” he said.

According to Rion, when you visit, it is very likely that you will connect on a deeper level with artists creating right in front of you.

“I think there is something special about having a piece of artwork from someone that you know and have talked to,” Rion said. “It takes enjoying the local art scene to a whole new level.”

When you purchase art from a working artist, according to Heather Meeker, there is a transaction beyond the exchange of goods and payment.

Meeker described the experience of buying local art through the lens of a book she recently read,

“Even if we have paid a fee at the door of the museum or concert hall, when we are touched by a work of art something comes to us which has nothing to do with the price...”

-Lewis Hyde

“The Gift: How the Creative Spirit Transforms the World,” by Lewis Hyde.

The book describes the exchange that happens between the artist and the art lover.

“The art that matters to us– which moves the heart, or revives the soul, or delights the senses, or offers courage for living, however we choose to describe the experience– that work is received by us as a gift is received. Even if we have paid a fee at the door of the museum or concert hall, when we are touched by a work of art something comes to us which has nothing to do with the price. I went to see a landscape painter’s works, and that evening, walking among pine trees near my home, I could see the shapes and colors I had not seen the day before. The spirit of an artist’s gifts can wake our own. Our sense of harmony can hear the harmonies that Mozart heard. We may not have the power to profess our gifts as the artist does, and yet we come to recognize, and in a sense to receive the endowments of our being through the agency of his/her creation. We feel fortunate, even redeemed: the gift revives the soul. When we are moved by art, we are grateful that the artist

lived, thankful that she labored in the service of her gifts.” – Lewis Hyde “The Gift: How the Creative Spirit Transforms the World.”

Meeker explained that the artists working in Summit Artspace are giving of themselves and beyond themselves which is an amazing opportunity for someone to experience that truly can’t be quantified.

Former art teacher for 22 years, Micah Kraus, describes his professional journey as one where his creativity did not have the right platform for growth.

He realized that he loved teaching but was neglecting his own growth as an artist and needed to prioritize his goals. Summit offered him the opportunity to focus on that growth.

To truly thrive, Summit Artspace needs the community to grow and prosper.

According to Kraus, it has been hard to market it to the city. He says he feels it’s because “Akron is a place of best kept secrets.”

Summit Artspace has evolved from a space that once frustrated him due to what he describes

Left: Mixed media sculpture in Summit Artspace.

Right: Additional works of art seen in Summit Artspace in December 2024.

Photos by Beth Lattime

as inconsistencies in the quality of art and the type of work that was showcased, to an invaluable resource.

The reason?

The administrative team that came in over the past four years has, “raised the bar of quality from their hard work development. (The focus shifted to) train the emergent artist professional which reshaped the organization into an invaluable resource for artists in the community,” Kraus said.

“Create, collaborate when possible, and as authentically as possible, and finally, serve,” Kraus said. This is the creed he now lives by.

He longed for the ability to be able to showcase his work and be taken seriously as an artist.

Kraus has recently been appointed to the board of Summit Artspace and is looking to make the organization a “non-negotiable” for working artists. He wants artists to see it as a space they need to be in if they want to be considered a high-level artist.

He believes that currently there is no other organization in Summit County that pulls the art world together in such a way that helps artists showcase their work, advance and grow.

“If no one is claiming that space, we can stick a flagpole in and claim that space,” Kraus said.

He believes that Summit Artspace is in a great position to offer Akron artists an organization to work collaboratively and be supported no matter where professionals are at in their journey as an artist.

What’s it like visiting Summit Art Space as a person interested in art?

The space is hip and fresh. Unlike visiting a museum, visitors are invited into the artist’s process for an immersive experience.

The artists one encounters at Summit Artspace either rent studio space or are “resident artists” at

Summit, who are supported both financially and with creative studio space to be part of its current exhibits.

Summit Artspace is a space for everyone.

Three years ago, Summit forged a partnership with the Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board (Summit DD) to ensure that the immersive art experience was accessible to all members of the community.

For Meeker, this is key. She works hard to ensure that the space is, “not just ADA compliant, but that it is truly accessible for all,” she said.

The leadership has committed to

a personal audit to ensure they are fully inclusive. To Summit Artspace, fully inclusive means they have considered every possible way to bring art experiences to everyone in the most fulling way possible.

My advice?

Be ready to have your mind blown by the creativity that you will see.

Then, be ready to return for more events and to simply enjoy this living work of art that is constantly changing due to the many artists occupying this creative space in downtown Akron.

For more information about Summit Artspace, you can find them on Instagram and Facebook.

GIFTING theBookworm

Downtown Akron offers an incredible indie book scene with a variety of shops and

Give an Adventure, a Mystery, a Romance, an Escape – Gift a Book

If you aren’t familiar with the downtown Akron book scene, you might be surprised to learn that it has a strong network of small, local book sellers and shops. At a time when small bookstores seem to have disappeared, downtown Akron could be a shopping destination for those who appreciate curated, intentional book collections and clerks with wisdom to share.

To help us better understand what readers want, we decided to interview our resident ZipsGuide bibliophile and intern, Elizabeth Lattime.

“Reading is an escape from the stresses of day-to-day life and gives you an opportunity to basically delve into a new thought process that is not stressful and a whole lot more fun,” Lattime, a longtime reader and self-proclaimed bookworm, said.

For Lattime, watching TV or a movie takes the creativity out of experiencing story. If you’ve ever watched a movie and then read the book, you may have experienced that your mind no longer had the option to paint its own images. Those carefully crafted words from the author are living fantasies that the reader has a part in creating. The world in the book becomes a collaboration between the writer and the reader.

“You’re making it happen on a much higher, much more personal level — you don’t have anything visually other than your creative mind and the other’s words,” Lattime said.

Life can be quite hectic, and sometimes it is necessary to take breaks and have an escape from reality. Lattime finds a feeling of control in the silence of reading.

“So much of my life lacks that control that a book can automatically give,” she said. Lattime shares the sentiment of

many a book lover. “Give me a book and leave me to it. I am a happy person,” she said.

What’s the biggest problem you have when book shopping? Does the service feel impersonal? Are the books unremarkable?

When asked what her biggest problem with book buying was, bookworm Beth Lattime considers, “Is this worth the money I will spend on it?”

She assesses the life span of the book and whether it will be lendable or if it will have more of a shelf life than the traditional start to end.

During the shopping experience, Lattime likes to shop in person and buy books based on an eye-catching cover or title. She likes it when the booksellers are polite and willing to help if someone has questions.

“I feel like there are a lot of books when you go into a traditional bookstore,” said Lattime. “So, you need that help just to navigate.”

In general, and when buying books, Lattime likes to shop locally. Lattime is a fan of banned literature and LGBTQ+ books, which she feels are more readily available at local bookstores than on the big box bookshelves.

“I like controversial books, and I feel like the local bookstores, if they’re gonna catch my attention, that may be how,” she said.

Additionally, Lattime likes to support local commerce, because of the feeling of knowing that you’re spending money that will directly benefit the owner.

“I feel like the local vendors have more of a contribution to their merchandise whether it’s books or jewelry,” she said. “They become that expert.”

She compares this to shoe shopping at Dicks and a local shoe store. Pointing out that the owners will likely have more knowledge about shoes than an employee at a big chain.

“I feel like if you’re in a local

bookstore there’s going to be somebody that has more of a vested interest in the type of person that you are potentially or what type of reader you are, then make recommendations for you,” she said. When you gift a book, you are gifting adventure, creativity, magic, mystery, romance, reflection and more to the bibliophile in your life. That’s not to say that gifting books is easy. In fact, it can be a big challenge if you’re not sure what your literature lover likes to read.

We’ve compiled A ZipsGuide to shopping books that includes our tips and the stories behind some of downtown Akron’s most beloved booksellers.

Now, for those tips…

1. Think outside the genre

Ever heard the phrase think outside the box? The same can apply to choosing your next favorite read. We all love to stay in our comfort zone, but sometimes going beyond that can help us find a truly great read. This is true when purchasing a book for someone else as well. In fact, by purchasing something for them that they would never purchase for themselves, you could be opening a whole new world of stories to them.

2. Read the reviews

Reading the reviews online of a book is no different than reading the reviews from an Amazon product online. We want to hear nothing but great things, before spending money. If the book has been praised with descriptive paragraphs and a rating of 4+ stars, you know you’re in for a real treat.

3.

Don’t let popularity pressure you

The New York Times doesn’t always know best. Instead of choosing what is on the list or what’s trending on BookTok, choose

based on trusted recommendations from friends. Or choose based on what you know your friend has enjoyed in the past.

Get to know the books already in their collection

Your favorite book can ultimately lead to your next favorite author. If they enjoyed one book in an author’s collection, you might want to give them other books they’ve written to explore. An author’s repertoire can be your recipient’s next adventure.

4. Shop local to ask the experts

Local book shops carefully curate their selections and get to know their offerings so they can give expert recommendations. You may know what your book-loving friend reads, but not what other authors or series might be similar. By shopping small and local, you are more likely to encounter a true expert who can guide you to the perfect gift. The experts (almost) always know best.

5. If all else fails, try a gift card

Don’t know a person’s favorite genre or if they read the book already? Book lovers do tend to read a lot of books, including those checked out from the library and returned, so even a gander at their home library won’t tell you if they’ve read a book. You can’t go wrong with a gift card that is offered by many of the businesses we talk about below. Don’t be afraid that your gift will seem impersonal, since you’re giving a book lover the ability to buy all the books they want.

Here are some of our favorite small, local book shops in downtown Akron, where you can shop for your bookworm this holiday season:

Trust Books

By Kayla Herrington

Imagine perusing a farmer’s stand—but instead of fresh strawberries and grapefruits, it’s the endless options of literature. Possibilities that would make the bookworm itch with excitement, in a cozy, secluded area away from prying eyes.

A place filled with no Wi-Fi to help escape from the reality we are trying so desperately to leave, as we read the words on a page. Michael Owens and his wife Jodie had a dream of a farmer’s stand bookstore. That dream became reality as they opened Trust Books in downtown Akron’s Northside District. The idea was to trust that people would do the right thing in the grand scheme of things.

“Readers don’t steal, and thieves don’t read,” Michael Owens said, in a matter-of-fact tone when asked about the honors-system at Trust Books. When you enter the basement book shop, there is no one to greet you at the door, only a quiet, expansive room full of a curated collection of books, a kitchen where a radio is often softly playing, and the fridge is stocked with drinks for sale.

In the center of the shop is a large, antique, wooden till. In its

open drawers is enough petty cash to facilitate a day of sales. The sign near the till asks customers to pay for their books either in the till or using Venmo, and then to write down the name and price of the book in a little journal that serves as an inventory system.

That open register filled with money, and trusting a person’s love of knowledge and reading is enough to keep Michael and Jodie’s dream alive. “We are betting, that a huge percentage of the population, with trust extending to them, don’t wanna dissipate the good will in a world that is void of it,” Michael Owens said.

According to Owens, they have only been ripped off 3 times in the 6 years that Trust Books has been open. The system has clearly worked. Owens must be right about thieves and readers.

The shelves of Trust Books are stacked with at least 300 to 400 of what the couple and their associate Jess Alloggia consider “good books.” These form a curated collection that has the classics that any fan of literature would be sure to love, along with some wild cards.

“We’ve got a lot of Kerouac, Vaughan…the classics,” Alloggia said.

Alloggia, a librarian turned fulltime Trust Books associate has been praised highly by Michael Owens, as he turns to her for help when it comes to carefully picking the books that are displayed onto the shelves. They trust her instincts to find the perfect book that someone would enjoy.

While you can purchase and wrap a book for your literature loving loved one at Trust Books, we suggest giving them a “book buying trip” to Trust instead. After the holidays are over, they can trade in their book buying trip voucher, and you can introduce them to the cozy reading nooks, tables and seating inside Trust Books. If either of you play guitar, you can pick up the one leaning against a small seating area and have an impromptu acoustic jam session.

Perhaps the real gift, though, will be exploring the stacks with them and listening to them talk about why they love books and what books they love. It’s not every day that a book worm gets to wax poetic on literature with a friend.

Just make sure you pay up!

Trust Books (@trustbooks) is located at 106 N Main St. in Akron.

The University of Akron Press

By Kayla Herrington

Ever wondered about Akron’s rich history? Are you curious about the story behind Goodyear, or about the Cummings Center? The University of Akron Press is a history buff’s guide to all things local in our city, state and region. The press holds a collection of books by local authors categorized into genres of history, psychology, culture, and more to gain an in-depth understanding of knowledge and learning.

A quaint, small building tucked away on campus, one might not notice the home of the UA press, a little red brick building just beyond the north side of campus. A wellestablished, local publisher that prints about 10 books a year, the UA press collection is curated by university faculty.

Professor at The University of Akron and director of The UA Press, Jon Miller emphasized that the editorial board is looking to continuously build on knowledge. “You are always looking for books that build on the books you published before,” Miller said. He described their publishing selection process almost like a series of books that would be sit beside each other on a bookshelf. “You just try to disseminate the

knowledge,” Miller said.

The idea of giving someone the gift of knowledge is a powerful thing. When that knowledge allows a person to better understand their own community and place in the world, it’s even more powerful.

What could be better than snuggling up next to the fire on a cold winter eve with a book about the history of the places we work, play and live day in and day out? For a local history buff – nothing.

Find UA Press (@uakronpress) at 100 Lincoln St., Suite 120 in Akron and at their stand in Northside Marketplace at 21 Furnace St. in

Previous page: The Trust Books register and sign. This page: Photos of The University of Akron Press Shop at 100 Lincoln St.

Photos by Kayla Herrington

Cozy Corner Books

By Kayla Herrington

Akron.

Don’t judge a book by its cover. Right?

Bookshelves are stacked high with endless stories and adventures; however, a great one can be easily overlooked if its cover doesn’t appeal to the prospective reader. Try as we might, we’re all human, and we all tend to judge books by their cover, especially at the book

Cozy Corner Books makes the “don’t judge a book by its cover” warning unnecessary by sending customers on a blind date with their

Each book is wrapped up like a perfect Christmas present with only the genre, the first line, a few details, and a rating written on its tag. Cozy Corner Books calls this a blind date with a book. These make a perfect gift for someone who loves to read and who enjoys being

In addition to the blind date books themselves, Cozy Corner offers bundles and subscriptions. There are many options for gifting one of their blind dates. Not only do their bundles come with a wrapped book, but also with various goodies, such as a bookmark, stickers, tea, a notebook, and more.

Cozy Corner takes away the worry of judging a book by its cover, allowing anyone to uncover their next great adventure in literature both literally and figuratively. When you’re shopping for your loved one’s next reading adventure, give a blind date with a book a chance. Find Cozy Corner Books at 21 Furnace St. in Akron, or on their website: cozycornerbookboxes.com.

By Amore Hill

“I want to put books in the hands of everyone I possibly can,” Bobbi Philson, a volunteer said.

When stepping inside Akron’s Main Library and taking in the glorious array of books, one might miss the adjacent Library Shop at Main, tucked away in a cozy, little corner. The shop is a volunteerrun used books store that sells affordable books, DVDs, CDs, and office supplies with prices typically ranging from 50 cents to three dollars.

The shop was founded by Friends of Main Library in 2005.

According to Philson, stock is constantly rotating so there is always a fresh selection available. Other volunteers sift through book donations and bring only the best to the shop.

For those who have a diverse book taste, the shop provides a myriad of genres including mystery, fiction, non-fiction, African American lit, and children’s books. Also, books for those who are interested in specialized fields like crafts, cooking, and needlework.

The prices are low and it’s within walking distance for those who work in downtown or attend UA, so it’s a great place to find a unique, possibly antique present for book lovers.

Currently, people from all walks of life visit the store. Philson says that the usual patrons of the shop are employees of the library, unhoused individuals, and parents who come in with their children to look at the selection.

The Library Shop can be found on the second floor of the Akron Summit County Library at 60 S High St. in Akron. It can also be found through their Instagram and Facebook accounts.

LIBRARY SHOP AT MAIN

Elizabeth’s Bookshop & Writing Center

By Amore Hill

Surprisingly, our resident bookworm Beth Lattime has never been to Elizabeth’s Bookshop and Writing Centre. Elizabeth’s Bookshop and Writing Centre commonly referred to as Elizabeth’s is a bookstore that has a curated selection of works by queer and POC authors.

Based on Lattime’s self-described taste in books, it seems like the perfect place for her to find her next read.

Rachel Cargle, an Akron native, founded Elizabeth’s. She is a writer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and activist whose ideology consists of challenging the oppressive structures of society and reframing them for today’s world.

It was with this ideology in mind that she founded Elizabeth’s Bookshop, a space that features BIPOC and queer authors, putting

the spotlight on the voices of those who have been historically sidelined and ignored.

Elizabeth’s is also a writing center and allows for new writers to learn and revise their work. The writing center serves as a safe place for the community to converge and learn to share their own voices.

Cargle wanted Elizabeth’s to be a source of economic prosperity into an Akron community, so the shop features select items from other Akron-area businesses as well.

Books can be purchased in person or online through Bookshop.org. Visit Elizabeth’s and purchase a gift, or better yet, purchase a gift card so your recipient can experience a bookstore that celebrates diverse voices and offers selections you won’t find anywhere else. Elizabeth’s is located inside the Well CDC at 647 E Market St. @ElizabethsofAkron

The House on the Cerulean Sea by TJ Clone

A whimsical fantasy book that includes a queer love story and finding family in unexpected places. A wild adventure that will surely keep you on your toes with magical creatures and a heartwarming story of finding where you truly belong.

TJ Clone, part of the LGTBQ+ community, is known for writing fantasy books that focus on queer characters. He provides accurate and positive representation for the community in his books. “The way that he weaves together The House on the Cerulean Sea, it’s so deeply thought through that when you think about the message of social

By Amore Hill

Are you book shopping for a bookworm who seems to have every popular book you can think of? Are you in Akron looking for unique book finds?

Banned Books Box sells banned or challenged literature to fight against the ongoing issue of censorship inside the U.S.

Books in the U.S. get banned based on complaints about content. Book banning in schools and prisons has risen exponentially. During the 2023-2024 school year, PEN America recorded 10,046 instances of book bans.

Ariel Hakim founded Banned Books Box in 2021, after hearing about increasing instances of book banning in schools. Hakim experienced a major lift shift after adopting two children, so she left her job at the library and started Banned Books Box from her home.

“These people [who are banning books] have not had the experience of reading a book and thinking wow somebody gets me,” Hakim said.

Hakim shared that the recent election has increased her feeling that what she is doing is necessary and important.

Some challenges Hakim faced when starting a business from scratch was suddenly needing to

become a jack of all trades. For instance, she had little experience starting social media, designing a website, or setting up wholesale accounts with publishers.

Despite these challenges, Hakim was fueled by her desire for others to see themselves in books.

“I’m doing a service of curating banned books for people who will read them and pass them on,” Hakim said. “It’s just part of doing that good in the world.”

Before this business, Hakim ventured down many different career paths ranging from a news reporter to a church sectary and a movie theater janitor in Tucson, Arizona.

“I floated around a lot in my 20s before I got married,” Hakim said. “I wanted a lot of different experiences and pursued a lot of careers.”

It wasn’t until she started working as a library reference associate that she felt like she found her place. She currently is in her first semester of her master’s in library science and hopes to become a librarian.

Oftentimes books that are being banned are from queer or POC authors. The question arises as to whether these books should be read by individuals interested in learning about marginalized communities or if these books are

meant only to be read by members of these communities?

Hakim thinks reading books about other people’s experiences is useful.

“Books and reading about experiences that aren’t yours can cause a person to feel empathy for experiences that aren’t theirs,” she said.

All in all, these books can be gifted for people interested in banned literature and exposing themselves to different perspectives or to people who want to see themselves in books.

At Banned Books Box, there are several ways to gift banned literature.

As the name implies, at its heart Banned Books Box is a subscription service where books come in a box that contains one or two books and corresponding book accessories. For a gift that gives year-round, consider an annual subscription to Banned Books Box, or gift a few months of the subscription. Add a gift message to the subscription to personalize it.

These books can also be purchased as single boxes for those who aren’t ready to commit or are looking for a one-time gift. This option features a Books Banned in a Prison Box, a Mystery Box, and boxes dedicated to certain banned books.

The book accessories include anything that can elevate the reading experience. Hakim slips in items like candles, pens, reading logs and bookmarks. She finds her accessories by looking on Etsy and through other small businesses that make adorable book-related things.

If you just wanted to give the gift of a single book or bookish accessory, her brick-and-mortar spot in Northside Marketplace is filled with options.

Banned Books Box can be gifted online through bannedbooksbox. com or purchased at Northside Marketplace at 21 S Furnace Street. @bannedbooksbox

Beyond the Books

Book-ish Gifts for the Book Lover on Your List This Holiday Season

By Gabby Griffiths

We all have that bookworm friend who devours novel after novel (or non-fiction), but whose taste in books eludes us. If you are looking for a gift for a book lover that isn’t actually a book, look no further than downtown Akron’s Northside District.

1. Clutch That Book

Northside Cellar offers a classic book-themed clutch that allows your book loving recipient to signal their interest in chatting about the literary by wearing it. Sold in titles like Wuthering Heights, Winnie-thePooh, and The Great Gatsby, these stylish accessories make a great gift for any bibliophile. One Northside Cellar customer said, “I have a friend who just loves the Wizard of Oz, so when I saw the book purse at Northside Cellar, I knew it was going to be just the right gift.” Priced at $24.99, these book-themed clutches offer both function and flair.

2. Liven Their Library

For something very personal, visit Banned Books Box in Northside Marketplace. This shop is known for its curated selection of literaryinspired products, making it the perfect destination for anyone seeking a meaningful gift for a reader. One standout offering is their personal library gift set, priced at just $12.99. This set is ideal for organizing and preserving a cherished book collection, featuring elegant bookplates, library cards, and personalized book labels that make each book feel truly special. It’s the

perfect gift for someone who loves to catalog and curate their collection in style.

3. Reflect and Review

Another great find was the book review notebook, priced at $7.99. This notebook provides readers with a place to reflect on and record their thoughts

about the books they read. With sections for rating books, jotting down favorite quotes, and tracking progress, this notebook serves as a tool for anyone passionate about literature. Together, these gifts offer a personal touch that not only enhances a reader's experience but also encourages them to preserve and reflect on the books that they have read.

4. Book-ish Bundles

Cozy Corner Books gives preloved books a second life, but beyond the books, Cozy specializes in book-ish bundles. Priced at $20, these wrapped bundles are a great way to share the joy of reading while also supporting sustainability by keeping books out of landfills. The bundle includes goodies to accompany the book, including a hand-stamped notebook, pen, a sticker, tea, and bookmark. Cozy Corner also offers a young reader bundle with hot chocolate, a bookmark, stickers, a fidget toy, mini erasers, gummy worms and a small coloring book with crayons. Buy one of their bundles, or grab a few bookish items a la carte from their Northside Marketplace shop to make your own.

Whether it's a wallet, a notebook, or a wrapped surprise, these gifts are sure to delight any book lover on your list. If you have book lovers in your life, follow @northsidemarketplace, @northsidecellar, @bannedbooksbox and @cozy.corner.books for great gift ideas.

Photos by Gabby Griffiths

Getting into the wine industry isn’t exactly a walk in the park. A new kid on the block must learn about the grapes, fermentation, bottling and corking. But that’s not all.

There are the challenges of differentiating yourself from other local brands and competing with large national brands with word of mouth and top retail placements.

Zahra Finley embraced the challenges head-on, with tenacity and creativity.

“Persistence and innovation have…been key to overcoming hurdles along the way,” said Finley.

After 20 years in corporate operations and as the current director of compliance for a

healthcare law firm, Finley is already an expert at operating a business.

With such a strong operations background, the entrepreneurial pull makes sense, but why wine?

It all started with a gift.

Eight years ago, Finley’s husband gifted her a wine making class. It was something like love at first sight. “I fell in love with wine and wine culture,” she said.

She calls wine a passion-projectturned-hobby-turned-business.

“After the pandemic I decided that as a wife, mother and grandmother, I wanted to do something for myself,” Finley said.

Three years ago, Zesty Compass was born.

“I wanted to build a brand that

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK:

Zesty Compass

brings people together, one that resonates with the way I live life, with zest,” she said.

The zest theme appears in many areas of the wine business, starting with the name. The name, Zesty Compass, comes from Finley’s goal to provide a zesty experience for her customers.

For Finley, Zesty represents the feeling she wants her products to bring to people and Compass represents travel and adventure. Finley wants her customers to bring these concepts together to live their best (er, zest?) lives. Thus, the business adopted two taglines: ‘Live Your Zest Life!’ and ‘Cheers to Living Your Zest Life’.

True to her background, Finley started big - Zesty Compass is more than just the wine collection.

“We are a wine company; we are a wine brand – we started with our Zesty Compass Wine Collection and have added our North Star Sparkling Collection. We are also a distribution company, an importer and exporter and a bottling company as well,” she said.

In addition to the many facets of wine that Finley has incorporated into her venture, she is also dipping her toe into the aromatherapy industry.

In the center of the display at Northside, between the Zesty Compass Collection and the North Star Sparkling Brut Collection is the ZC Aromas Collection. Featuring diffusers and candles, the scents aren’t a complete departure from the wine.

“They heighten the wine tasting experience, open up your senses and give you a different experience with each wine,” Finley said.

Finley finds success comes directly from making a strong connection with her customers.

She builds these connections through brand events and wine tastings.

Finley believes in listening to

her customers and uses their suggestions to continue innovate with her various wine blends and collections.

The draw of Akron’s Northside Marketplace for Finley was the ability to get her collections and her story in front of new customers.

“The location also allows us to share our story with both local shoppers and visitors from around Ohio, further building our community presence,” Finley said.

Zesty Compass is available in multiple locations, including its main building at 7537 Mentor Ave, Mentor, Ohio. They currently ship their products to 40 states, and they’re still growing.

Giving the ‘Zest’ Gift

This holiday season, the Zesty Compass offers a variety of items that make perfect gifts, including their signature wines. Wine can certainly be wrapped under the tree, but it also makes a fantastic gift for the host or hostess of a holiday party. And, with local roots and a great story, gifting Zesty can spark a fun conversation about shopping local, finding your passion, or wines themselves.

Finley highly recommends the North Star Sparkling Brut for holiday gifting. This dessert wine pairs wonderfully with holiday treats.

Aren’t sure your recipient drinks wine? Then, tap into the ZC Aromas collection and bring a candle or diffuser to pamper them. Again, they make great conversation pieces when you mention that the scents are non-toxic and eco-friendly.

For something extra special, order a custom gift box from Zesty Compass. These boxes can be filled with items from both the wine and aroma collections, allowing you to select their favorite white, red or blush and pair it with a complementary scent. ZC also offers t-shirts, tote bags, and wine glasses.

Who knows, maybe the person

receiving your gift will find inspiration to turn their passionproject or hobby into something more after hearing Finley’s story. And they will definitely enjoy some delicious wine.

To learn more about holiday and seasonal offerings, follow the Zesty Compass Instagram.

(Left spread): Zahra Finley the day she set up her shop in Northside Marketplace.

Photo by Julie Cajigas. All other photos courtesy of Zesty Compass.

Support a Family on a Mission by Purchasing Your Gifts from Designs by Scamper

Jim and Jenny Penny offer a wide range of affordable gifts to bring joy to pets, kids and adults alike in their Northside Marketplace shop.

By Zach Lininger

What do you do when you fight hard for your dreams and life just doesn’t work out? You take the age old saying of “Try, try again,” dust yourself off, and keep on fighting.

But what happens then though if life still doesn’t work out?

That’s where the entrepreneurial story of Jim and Jenny Penny, owners of Designs by Scamper (@ designsbyscamper), begins.

The two always dreamed of a family, but, after years of trying, they learned they were unable to conceive a child. Determined to make their dreams a reality, the couple turned to adoption.

Unfortunately, they quickly realized the high cost of adoption.

Unable to find the tens of thousands of dollars necessary for adoption, the couple chose to take fate into their own hands.

“We’ve just always been kind of handy and like making things,” Jenny

Penny said. “Before we started the business, we would make gifts for family and friends for holidays and stuff around the house.”

The couple channeled their creative energy and hand skills into a new business: Designs By Scamper, with the initial goal of raising money to facilitate their dream.

Designs by Scamper sells its variety of goods online and instore at Northside Marketplace at 21 Furnace St. in Akron. Northside Marketplace has been home for the Pennys since July 2024 after Jenny Morrison, owner of 224 Creations (also located in Northside) and other vendors recommended that they move into one of the available spaces.

Since going live in 2022, Designs by Scamper has been a business fueled not just by a love for crafting and a desire to adopt, but also by

the Penny’s love for animals.

Designs by Scamper is named after the couple’s dog, Scamper, who died of cancer in 2015. In addition, all of the business’ product departments are named after each of their other animals, each with stories behind them. The departments include Finn’s Kitchen, Ollie’s Toybox, Benji’s Bandanas, Ruger’s Rustic Creations, Summer’s Suncatchers, and Tucker’s Treasures.

“We’ve just had a real good passion for animals, both of us, so it just seemed fitting with the business being named after one of the dogs, let’s just continue it,” Jim Penny said.

While Summer’s Suncatchers came from a creative use of alliteration, Finn’s Kitchen exemplifies their dog Finn’s love for the kitchen. Finn can always be found perched on a rug in the kitchen, watching the couple cook.

Other departments such as Ollie’s Toybox illustrate their dog Ollie’s love for toys and Ruger Rustic Creations illustrate their late dog, who loved to be outside.

All together, these product lines create a unique variety of items for consumers to purchase.

If you visit their Northside shop regularly, it becomes clear that the Penny pet parents are constantly coming up with new ideas. There’s always a new critter, fidget toy or pet product popping up.

Some of those items include their fan-favorite suncatchers and their wooden illusion images, which are handmade and cut using a 3D printer and a laser.

Other items include 3D printed toys, bandanas for dogs, hats, hand towels, and much more.

The best part about Designs by Scamper is how cost-effective their products are. With items ranging from $3-$60, there’s something for every budget.

In addition to their wide variety of current products, there are new projects in the works. Some of those projects include new suncatchers with themes to appeal to Bigfoot, Yeti, and Loch Ness

Monster fans, 3D printed wind-up toys, and potentially even stuffed animals.

All in all, Designs by Scamper has helped the Pennys inch closer to their goal of adoption.

At this point, the couple has earned enough money to adopt. Now they are waiting to find the right match.

In the meantime, the Pennys are putting their focus into furthering their business and have even shifted their original goal beyond adoption.

“Even though this business, the main purpose of it was to get matched with a baby, once we have our child, we’re still going to continue this business because we love it that much,” Jenny Penny said.

‘We enjoy creating things, we enjoy seeing the happiness of people buying something and saying, ‘This is gonna make an awesome gift!’ It makes you feel good to be able to put joy into someone else’s life,”’ she said.

So, to answer the question I asked in the beginning of this story, “What do you do when you fight hard for your dreams and life just doesn’t work out?” The answer is: you never give up.

‘We enjoy creating things, we enjoy seeing the happiness of people buying something and saying, ‘This is gonna make an awesome gift!’ It makes you feel good to be able to put joy into someone else’s life,”’ Jenny Penny said.

Design By Scamper owners Jenny and Jim Penny and other Design by Scamper photos by Zach Lininger.

GEEK Culture

Featuring: Rubber City Comics

Green Dragon Inn

Full Grip Games

From Recipes

By Odeliz Beltran, Zackary Storms and George Henderson

Photos by Zackary Storms, Odeliz Beltran and Julie Cajigas

Geek Out in Downtown Akron this Holiday Season

If someone on your list collects Magic the Gathering cards, attends Comic Con or considers themselves a Dungeon Master, you’re in luck. Downtown Akron has a thriving geek culture scene with spaces where those who enjoy everything from comics to cosplay. Of course one can visit the shops and pick up board games, trading cards, comics and more, but the real magic of downtown Akron’s geek culture scene is the community and unique experiences it offers. Think outside the box (or gift bag)

and purchase a gift card for a special date night, fund their tournament play, or plan to attend an annual event together.

ZipsGuide writers Odeliz Beltran, Zackary Storms and George Henderson met the teams behind Akron’s geek culture movement and discovered downtown neighbors, filled with the rust belt resilience and a passion for creating community, rolling up their sleeves to ensure that there is always a place for geek culture enthusiasts to find their people in the 330.

RUBBER CITY COMICS

By Odeliz Beltran

Sometimes you’re in the right place at the right time.

That was true for Jason Miller, owner of Magic City Comics in Barberton, when he was approached by the former manager of Rubber City Comics, a downtown Akron staple.

“The manager at the time knew I had a store, and he said, ‘Hey, do you want to sit down with Scott? Because we’re going to close Rubber City Comics (@ rubbercitycomics), unless you want to save it.’ So we sat down, worked out a deal, and there it is,” Miller said.

The Scott from the story is Scott Malensek, the former owner of Rubber City Comics. He had kept the store running despite not being a fan of comics himself.

“Scott had put the shop in the back of his restaurant just to keep it open,” Miller said. “For the same reason Scott took it over, I took

it over. I didn’t want to see it go away,” he said.

Though he draws that parallel to the former owner, Miller is a fan.

The decision to preserve the store’s longstanding history was easy for Miller, who gew up immersed in comics. He felt a deep connection to the medium, and the idea of losing a local comic story was something he couldn’t accept.

“Next year, Rubber City Comics will be 50 years old,” Miller said. “It’s never been closed in all that time.”

The longevity was part of what gave him the confidence to step in and rescue the shop.

Both of Miller’s shops are built to be inviting.

As soon as visitors step into the Barberton store, they are greeted by holiday-themed Funko Pop figures at the entrance, setting a festive tone for the shopping experience. Meanwhile, Rubber City Comics offers a cozy retreat for comic lovers. Near the entrance, a

comfortable reading nook invites customers to relax, enjoy a comic, and even watch TV, making it a welcoming place for visitors of all ages.

Since stepping in as owner, Rubber City Comics has evolved in exciting ways. Miller shared that the comic book market itself has seen many changes, with COVID-19 marking a turning point.

“When Ohio shut down in 2020, we switched gears to doing Facebook Live sales three to five times a week,” he explained. “It’s still a good piece of the business today—we do live feeds on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m.”

These live feeds have become a core part of Rubber City Comics' routine, allowing fans to engage with the shop even from home. On Monday nights, the streams focus on Keys and Back Issues, while Wednesdays showcase the week’s Current Issues, Ratios, Sets,

Photos by Odeliz Beltran

and more. Fans can tune in to the live show for a chance to snag exclusive comics and collectibles and enjoy the laughs and chats about the latest storylines within the community.

Miller has also noticed a resurgence in interest in comics, especially those with popular storylines.

“People are jumping back into comics with the Absolute storylines and a lot of great indie stuff,” he said. “We’ve been picking up more subscribers as well, and right now we’re at about 192 subscribers.”

As the holiday season approaches, Rubber City Comics is buzzing with excitement, from new releases to rare finds that fill the shelves.

For many Akron locals, Rubber City Comics isn’t just a place to shop but a place to reconnect with friends, explore new comics, and get lost in a world of graphic stories and collectibles. Miller has brought his own twist, but preserved the longstanding meetup atmosphere.

Miller takes it a step further, envisioning it as a community hub.

The shop has hosted various events over the years, from comic release parties to its involvement with Akron Comic Con.

“We work with Downtown Akron Partnership and Northside

Marketplace to do as many events as we can,” Miller said. “Acquiring Akron Comic Con was another awesome thing—it was going to disappear, and we were able to save it and take it to the next level.”

For Miller, building that sense of community is one of the most rewarding parts of running the store.

Of course, running a comic store comes with its own set of challenges too, and Miller has faced them head-on.

“The economy is definitely a challenge,” Miller said. “There’s also the sheer number of comic book dealers in Northeast Ohio—it’s probably the most saturated area in the country. You can go two miles, and there’s another store.”

Rather than allowing the challenges to overwhelm him, Miller has learned to take things one step at a time. “Every day is different,” he said.

As the holiday season approaches, Rubber City Comics is ready to help fans find the perfect gifts. “I’ll be honest, I haven’t had my hand on the pulse of what the hot toy is this year—it’s tough to say,” Miller said. “But graphic novels and storylines like Invincible are definitely popular right now.”

Unlike many stores that participate in Black Friday sales,

Rubber City Comics opts for Small Business Saturday, offering exclusive deals to support local commerce. During the holiday season, they also offer gift cards, allowing customers to give the gift of comics to friends and family.

Another important part of the holiday season for Miller is the practice of spreading kindness and giving back.

“If I see a kid looking at their first comic, I’ll just give it to them,” he said. “If a kid needs a book, we take it over,” he said of Rubber City Comics’ efforts to support Akron Children’s Hospital.

Miller believes these small acts of kindness leave a lasting impression. “It’s better to see someone smile. That’s what they’ll remember.”

Through his dedication to both stores and his commitment to adapting to the changing market, Jason Miller has created a lasting legacy in the Akron and Barberton’s comic scene.

Rubber City Comics continues to be a cornerstone of downtown where fans can explore their passion for comics.Whether through its inventory, events, or welcoming atmosphere, the store continues to bring joy to new and seasoned comic book fans alike.

Give the Gift of GAMING

WITH DOWNTOWN AKRON’S FULL GRIP GAMES AND GREEN DRAGON INN

By Zackary Storms

Focused on tabletop games like Dungeons and Dragons, and trading card games like Magic The Gathering and Pokemon, Full Grip offers gifts for gaming fans of all ages, while Green Dragon Inn offers an immersive gaming space with themed food and beverage.

Walking through a card convention in Cincinatti, Ohio, the manager of downtown Akron’s Full Grip Games (@fullgripgamesofficial) caught sight of a fellow card gaming fan. His unique style and presentation called out to Aaron Stanley immediately.

“I saw him in his pajamas and green mohawk, and I said to myself: that’s a man I want to work for,” he said.

The man in question was Jameson Reeves, an Akron native who had moved to Chicago to follow his dream to work in the card gaming industry and had recently circled back home for his next venture: Full

Grip Games.

Opened in Downtown Akron in 2016, Full Grip Games is a destination for fans of all things tabletop and trading card games. Located at 121 E. Market St., the shop has made a name for itself with its wide selection of games, friendly atmosphere, and events that bring together a diverse group of individuals, from casual players to seasoned competitors.

Stanley and Reeves did connect at the card event and Stanely became the manager at Full Grip Games. The pair have been growing the shop by creating a space where everyone from teenagers to

professionals can come together to enjoy gaming in its many forms.

The store hosts events for players of all skill levels, whether it's Friday Night Magic or local tournaments for Pokémon and other popular trading card games making it a vital meeting place for Akron's gaming community.

“We hold lots of events for people to hangout and enjoy similar hobbies,” Reeves said.

In fact, the shop hosts events every day of the week. People interested in joining a game or tournament can visit the website to see which days their game of choice is played.

If you have someone in your life who enjoys table top or trading card-based games, but you aren’t confident about what they have and want, a gift card to Full Grip allows them to go in and select the perfect item. You can also purchase them a gift card to use for tournament play to cover their entry fees, which are commonly $10 per session, but can vary.

Full Grip also has a wide variety of items in store for those who are confident that they know what their recipient would like this holiday season. The shop features trading card singles, boxed sets, booster packs, table top gaming accessories, apparel and board games.

Reeves didn’t stop with the Full Grip Games Space. In March 2023, Reeves cut the ribbon on The Green Dragon Inn, a medieval-themed board game bar and café also in downtown at 115 East Market St. The space is connected with the Full Grip Games shop, and Reeves is looking to continue expanding with more card playing areas in 2025.

“Where Nobles Unite for Board Game Bliss,” is the inn’s tagline on its website. With a selection of more than 800 board games,

visitors can find something that fits their niche.

A gift card to The Green Dragon Inn is a unique gift for people who enjoy adventurous date nights, board games, medieval festivals or just the opportunity to escape reality for a little while.

“We saw a void in the community, we wanted to fill that void in a way we felt was right keeping it as thematic as possible, with that hint of modernness to keep its attractiveness,” Riky Borroto, the general manager of Green Dragon Inn, said.

The idea for the inn came from Reeves.

“Jameson told me he’s always wanted to have a restaurant ever since he was a kid, and he saw the opportunity to do something unique and fun and made it happen,” Borroto said.

The inn takes it’s name from the Green Dragon Inn from the Lord of The Rings Trilogy.

The Green Dragon Inn is a great place for those who want to just connect and get away from everything. This place gives people a chance to leave the regular world behind and enjoy playing games

with friends in a cozy, medieval atmosphere.

If you’re wondering if they stick to the theme throughout their food and beverage, the answer is, you bet they do.

The inn has a wide range of cocktails, mocktails, mead and over 130 beers to choose from, including 10 draft beers along with their own called the brownest ale.

“Because we are named after a place in the Lord of the Rings, there is a song in the movie about the Green Dragon Inn having the brownest ale,” Borroto said.

Of course, with that many beers, you need food to keep you steady. Most if not all of the ingredients for the Green Dragon Inn menu are locally sourced and come fresh. Borroto takes pride in the menu they have created.

“My personal favorites when it comes to the food we offer are the variety of sandwiches we offer, my personal favorite is ‘The Other Cuban,” Borroto said.

‘The Other Cuban’ features garlic and mojo marinated pork, house made chimi and lime aioli, gruyere cheese and sweet plaintains.

The menu looks like an ancient

text and the theme game is strong with sleep draughts and elixirs mixed by the apothecary.

For those who visit for the first time, it can be overwhelming.

“My recommendation would be take a look around and just see what you can find,” Borroto said. “There are a lot of hidden things and decorations that give the place the uniqueness, for example there’s a 3d printed little ducky that’s just above the bar with the Rock’s head on it,” he said.

Borroto suggests that guests don’t worry about their skill level or ability, and just select games that appeal to them, because just wanting to play should be enough.

“I’ve been collecting board games since 2013 with over 200 board games in my collection, whereas here we have over 800,” said

Borroto.

Guests won’t be left alone standing before that towering list of games.

“The staff will be able to curate what kind of game you and your party can play based on interests, group size, skill-level, basically a little bit of everything,” Borroto said.

For those looking for a unique space to have a party or gathering, the inn boasts two private rooms: The Library, which seats 24 for a game tourney or The Dungeon, perfect for an intimate gathering of a dozen of your friends to play your favorite table-top game.

The inn has also been expanding its events and gatherings. “We recently just held a Shrek themed Halloween party at the Green Dragon Inn, where around 300 people turned up, and it was very

cool to see everyone in costume and come out and just connect with one another,” Borroto said.

In December, the inn is holding its second annual elf party on Dec. 14. “People can come and dress up as any type of mythical elf from Lord of the Rings to Santa’s elves, which should be a lot of fun,” he said.

In addition to gift cards, the inn also offers tokens in the form of hoodies, t-shirts, tank tops and other small merch.

If you have someone on your gift list who loves geek culture, Reeves, Stanley, Borroto and their respective staff teams have created a magical place in downtown Akron. Visit yourself and pick up a gift they won’t forget.

FromRecipes: The Perfect Blend of Spices and Adventure

By George Henderson

Plenty of fantasy stories generate pop culture spin offs. The more popular the story, the more spinoffs and products they inspire: languages, fan fiction, encyclopedias, apparel, even action figures.

FromRecipes, a newly opened spice shop in downtown Akron’s Northside Marketplace, turns that model on its head. They started with recipes, and from recipes (see what they did there?) came something bigger.

“We talked about doing a cookbook, and when we were writing all of the recipes, we started writing a lot of spice recipes,” Stephen Bergeron, one of the FromRecipes creators said.

Those spice recipes inspired the trio of creators to turn their cookbook idea into something more.

Steven Bergeron, Tim Bergeron and Trevor Clayton’s recipe book took on a life of its own.

Inspired by tabletop role playing games (TTRPGs) and their love of the fantasy genre, the trio integrated the world of the fantasyfilled, role-playing video game Dark Souls when naming their spices. Eventually, their plan grew into

a bigger one – a graphic novel. Instead of taking their spices from the original property, they wanted to build the world around them.

“We decided we were going to make our own comic book so that people could experience the world that we created through spice blends and recipes,” Steven Bergeron explained.

While they faced challenges, such as copyright issues from Sony to use their characters and concepts, FromRecipes is taking shape on Patreon, a paid platform where customers can subscribe to receive chapters of their story as they are written.

Taking a step inside of this world, the ideal customer experience is to see the spices for more than just face value and experience the stories behind them.

Their names and descriptions help customers enter the fantasy.

The “Dragon Oil” spice blend reads “…The flames lingered, both on the ground and her tongue. The Aspirants first flame…”

On “Aldermore Aflame” it reads “When The Cleric arrived… the district was already aflame…”

For FromRecipes, the spices and the stories are inextricably linked.

“Everything has a little bit of lore, because we want people to see

when you pick up a spice blend, you have a way to also experience a story, not just food,” Bergeron said.

The graphic novel is being released page by page, bringing back the pre-binge-watch experience of following a story over time.

In the world of fantasy and spices, there too are great gifting opportunities.

The holiday season gift box from FromRecipes, contains six spice blends, as well as 50% off for a 90day subscription to their Patreon, where interested readers can follow the story and see behind the scenes, as well as 15% off the next online purchase.

A more personalized option is to customize a spice blend label, personalizing the experience for the recipient with a picture or a character. Those interested in a custom label should reach out to the trio on their website Preparetodine.shop.

This holiday season, visit FromRecipes LLC, located at Northside Marketplace at 21 Furnace St, Akron, visit their website here, or follow them on Instagram. Follow the story of the cleric by subscribing to “Prepare to Dine,” the FromRecipes Patreon page.

Gift an Exclamation! Point for Their Outfit with Bizzy Beads Boutique

By Allison Henry

“I'm not just like, here's a pair of red earrings,” Kimberley Camp, owner of Bizzy Beads Boutique in Northside Marketplace, said. “I want it to be like a conversation starter. Like somebody's running up to you like, ‘where did you get s'mores earrings? What is going on?’”

When speaking with Camp about her jewelry business, the passion just bubbles over. Earrings in her downtown Akron shop (when they aren’t sold out) include pizza, hot dogs, tacos, ice cream cones, donuts – my personal favorite – s’mores –and many non-food items as well.

It’s not just about attracting attention. Camp recognizes the business value in creating standout accessories. When the wearer shares that the pieces are from Bizzy Beads, Camp does a happy dance because …“I’ll have another shot” - another shot at converting a fan into a customer.

“I wanted to do something that I'm passionate about,” Camp said. What inspired her business? She has two stories about the path that led to her jewelry success, and both center around her mom.

“I have had a love of accessories since I was younger,” she said. “I

always blame my mom, because I’ve been a shoe fanatic. So, I have like 300 pairs of shoes.” From shoes to jewelry, she knew that accessories were in her future.

After high school, college life at The University of Akron filled Camp’s schedule, but after graduation, she suddenly realized just how much time she had spent in school day in and day out. She found herself with time for a hobby.

In addition to sharing her newfound boredom, Camp had also mentioned to her mommy - yes, she still calls her mommy - that she couldn’t find any jewelry to match her outfits. Her mom gave her some beads and other items she had purchased to make bracelets, but hadn’t used.

Camp was hooked.

She had found her passion. “Everybody should have a passion. Life is too short. So, take the scenic route,” she said.

As her hobby grew, it was her husband that gave her the idea to start a business with the jewelry that she was creating. Thus, Bizzy Beads was born.

Why Bizzy?

Camp wanted the name to mean something special.

“My maiden name is Bizzell, and I did change my name when I got married. So, I just wanted to keep a piece [of my maiden name] with me,” she said.

She shortened Bizzell to Bizzy and added Beads Boutique after that.

“It's very catchy,” Camp said. “And, it's kind of a play on a ‘busy bee.’ I’m busy all the time. Because when I tell you I don't sleep, I mean that.”

For Camp, accessories are a foolproof way to gift fashion.

“I'm an accessories person, because I always say they always fit, and you lose weight, gain weight, but my earrings always look fabulous,” she said.

In addition to the statement earrings, she also makes necklaces and bracelets by hand using beads, resin, and polymer clay.

“I do have a favorite medium,” Camp said, “which is the polymer clay.”

Why is it her favorite?

“Just because I can literally make anything,” she said. “I can make a pair of earrings that are exactly how I want them, and nobody else has them.”

Many people might think of polymer clay with the earrings, but

“I want it to be like a conversation starter. Like somebody's running up to you like, ‘where did you get s'mores earrings? What is going on?’”

Camp also uses the medium to make beads her customers can’t find anywhere else.

“I can make handmade beads that are one of a kind, because I can put the colors together,” she said. “The color scheme is unique. It's whatever the clay does that day. So, you have a unique item.”

Being unique is what Camp is all about.

“I admire people who stand in their uniqueness and say, I don't care what you say, or you say, or your little group of girls,” she said. “I'm going to be me.”

If you can’t find the perfect gift in her Northside Marketplace boutique space, Camp can do a custom creation (though, it does take time, so you need to plan ahead).

The most challenging custom item she has attempted was a pair of earrings that looked like pineapples. She admits that they didn’t turn out like she wanted them to.

“But I had fun trying. That’s the beauty of art. Just try it, if it doesn’t work out, that’s okay.”

Another unique request that Camp got was for half of an everything bagel with cream cheese on top. The customer ended up loving the bagel and schmear earrings.

Camp works hard on every piece of jewelry she makes.

“There’s absolutely a piece of me in every one of these,” she said.

Camp’s first retail space was in Northside Marketplace, and it’s still her flagship operation today. She has expanded to have two other stands at Made Cleveland in Cleveland Heights, and Alley Cats Marketplace in New Philadelphia. She also has her own website, and Etsy shop.

can offer jobs for everybody else. You know, help other people. That's why I really want to do it,” she said. “I want to.. give people a place to wake up and say, ‘I can't wait to go to work.’”

Camp is also motivated by the idea of leaving the 9 to 5 behind so she can spend more time with family. She wants to be able to enjoy time with her nephew.

“I mean, let's face it, nobody wants to go to work,” Camp said. “But if you must go, make it a nice place to go.”

Her future employees out there are just waiting for her to expand. In the meantime, Camp has her focus trained on creating a special experience for her customers.

“I want to be the exclamation point for your outfit.” Camp said. “So you put on your new outfit, you know, everything's looking great. And then you put on a perfect pair of earrings, or you put on a perfect necklace, and it just fits your outfit.”

Camp’s passion can bring you some winning gifts this holiday season. Stop in to visit her at one of her three locations, or shop online. Keep up with Camp on Instagram for restock and holiday deal information.

-Kimberley Camp

Making her business her primary focus is what Camp truly hopes to accomplish. But even more than that, she wants to help people and offer flexible jobs to those who might need it.

“I want to get to a point where I

Ms. Takes By the Lake Offers Lake Erie Beach Glass Jewelry and Gifts in Downtown Akron

By David Penta

Julie Cajigas balances multiple roles in her life: she's the editor of ZipsGuide, a professor of practice at The University of Akron, a mother of four, and now, a professional jewelry maker with a marketplace mix cube at Northside Marketplace in downtown Akron.

It was an interaction with her daughter, Hazel, that led to her unexpected artistic journey.

Hazel had found a piece of sea glass jewelry in her mom’s jewelry box and asked if it was possible to find glass on Lake Erie.

“I had no idea, and I found very little information on the internet,” she said.

It was a blog by The Dainty Squid where she finally found good intel on where to find beach glass.

Hazel refused to let up on asking to go once she knew the glass was there.

“I took her, and immediately we were both like, ‘oh we’re gonna do this like every day forever,’” Cajigas said.

Cajigas talks on her website about

being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, and how hunting for beach glass has become a source of peace and satisfaction because treasure hunting offers the ADHD brain little bursts of much needed dopamine.

Glass started multiplying in the house shortly after their very first “beach glassing” trip, but at first, it stayed in special collections the two of them kept for themselves.

Cajigas wanted to give her glass collection purpose.

“It made me sad that these beautiful treasures I had found were just stacked in jars not being enjoyed.”

She started by attempting to make her first necklace for herself early in 2024.

“It was awful… it looked like it got chewed up in the lawn mower," Cajigas said, laughing.

Even though she wasn’t able to pick up the craft and run with it, she chose to not give up.

"I tried again, and again, and again, and eventually, I made something that wasn’t horrible.”

The actual process and technique took her time to figure out and get

it to a place she felt proud of, just for herself.

It wasn’t until she started wearing her handcrafted necklaces out in public that others started asking if she sold any of her jewelry, and thus, the jewelry line by Ms. Takes By The Lake was born.

The website Ms. Takes By the Lake itself came first. Cajigas teaching public relations and news writing at the university and advises The Buchtelite, UA’s student paper.

As she worked with the first ZipsGuide class on their feature stories, she missed writing.

“I was a trade journalist and contract writer in my early career,” she said. “I love to write, and to be honest, I was a little bit jealous watching the students tell these fantastic stories.”

The name came from an insult she remembered from childhood.

“People used to call Cleveland the mistake by the lake,” Cajigas said.

The saying resonated with her because she loves Cleveland and relates to the idea that something beautiful is also going to be filled with mistakes and challenges.

Editor’s Note: I had to be convinced to allow David Penta to cover my own business for the guide. I am very grateful for the wonderful job he did.

“Sometimes, we’re all those two little birds huddled under the leaf during a storm.”

On her site, the about page describes the vulnerability she infuses in her writing.

Though she intended the site to talk about more than the lake, her dabbling into jewelry making was turning into something more.

“I found something I was good at and found a group of mentors that could help me turn it into a little bit more than just a hobby,” she said. It was the business owners she interacted with at Northside Marketplace and in downtown Akron through ZipsGuide that pushed her to share her art.

After beginning to offer her jewelry online, Cajigas responded to requests from friends by making handmade art prints that reflect the themes of connection and the beauty of relationships.

The art prints feature beach glassing references, like "Good friends are like beach glass—rare and lucky to have,” and other messages like “Together, we can weather any storm.”

For Cajigas, creating art that expresses genuine feeling is important.

“I spend a lot of time figuring out what inspirational words fit with my artwork and designing the printed backgrounds for the glass,” Cajigas

said. “There’s plenty of saccharine sweet messaging out there, but I like to focus on messages that are real life. Sometimes, we’re all those two little birds huddled under the leaf during a storm.”

Ms. Takes By the Lake isn’t just a platform to sell her jewelry, it’s also a place for Cajigas to share insights into her journey collecting glass. You can take the teacher out of the classroom, but she’s still a teacher.

Cajigas authored an extremely detailed guide on where and how to start beach glassing yourself, which is a bit of a beach glass faux pas according to some glassers.

“You’re not supposed to tell people where you find your glass,” Cajigas said. “People are super secretive about their spots, and very concerned that somehow the lake will run out of glass.”

For Cajigas, beach glass carries with it its own story that deserves to be shared with new hobbyists out there, even if that means less glass for her to find.

“I don’t need all the glass I have,” she says. “Plus, the rarer it is, the more fun it is to find.”

Her guide is a place for others to learn about local beaches and the methods she uses to find glass, from how to best prepare for beach glassing visits year-round to what

(Above): Beach glass art print by Cajigas.

(Right): One day’s collection of glass from Sims Park in Euclid, Ohio.

(Far Right): The Lake Erie seiche on Dec 5, 2024.

Photos by Julie Cajigas

tools to use when digging for glass.

Recently, Cajigas has taken beach glass ed a step further, having officially offered her first class to teach about beach glass in Lake Erie and where students got to create their own beach glass art print.

Cajigas has also become interested in Lake Erie fossils and has begun to craft jewelry with fossils she has found on her beach expeditions.

“Of course I love the glass,” she said, “but fossils are part of the natural history of our world, and to me that makes them so special.”

On December 4, Cajigas drove out to Toledo to experience the Lake Erie seiche. Her Instagram documented the emptied western basin of Lake Erie at sunrise and followed the seiche back to Cleveland.

She also hunts for beach glass during the dead of winter.

“There’s an endless variety of things to experience and appreciate at the lake,” she said. “I look forward to enjoying it through the seasons of my life.”

With the holiday season around the corner, anyone can gift one of Cajigas’ pieces or art prints by visiting her shop online or by visiting her cube at Northside Marketplace at 21 Furnace St.

For Cajigas, turning a walk with her daughter along Lake Erie into a creative outlet has been a surprising adventure. She continues to find inspiration in glass others overlook, proving that sometimes the most beautiful things come from unexpected places.

(Top): Cajigas at the Lake Erie seiche on 12/5/24 in -10 degree wind chills and a wire wrapped pendant with cobalt and green beach glass.

(Center Top): Wire wrapped green beach glass and a filled locket.

(Center Bottom): Cajigas with her make-and-take craft class at Northside Marketplace.

(Bottom): Ms. Takes By the Lake website header. The person picking glass is Cajigas’ daughter Hazel.

Photos by Julie Cajigas

Marketplace Mix Cubes Offer Makers an Affordable Brick & Mortar Option for their Businesses

Have you been to Northside Marketplace yet? If not, you are missing out. The space in downtown Akron’s Northside District is filled with the creations of hundreds of different makers. Julie Cajigas found her first brick and mortar retail opportunity at Northside in the Marketplace Mix Cubes.

These cubes, located at the entrance of Northside rent for $25 per month, and allow artisans and makers who are just starting out to

have a physical retail space for their products.

“It has been wonderful having my jewelry in a Market Place Mix Cube,” Cajigas said. “Northside makes it so easy to track my inventory and sales. They also handle the sales tax for my items, which makes my life a lot easier.”

As a vendor in the space, Cajigas has also been able to participate in sales events like Small Business Saturday and has been invited to

offer make-and-take craft nights in the space.

She recommends checking out the Marketplace Mix Cubes when you visit. “I like to check them out every time I go in to see what’s new and what inventory the makers have added,” shes said. For more information about renting a space in Northside, visit www. northsidemarketplace.com.

By Emma Garee & Olivia Ellis

Olivia: “On my first Christmas in 2004, my father gifted my mother a picture frame with our newly complete family picture and a diamond necklace inside.

Nearly twenty years after being given the gift, and after the passing of my father just a few years before, our two silver lab puppies chewed up the picture frame, leaving it ruined. My mother was absolutely devastated as it was her favorite Christmas gift she had ever received. It was upsetting for us both, but we accepted the loss of the special picture frame.

One day while thrifting at a local Goodwill last winter, I was looking through the picture frames when I spotted the exact frame my father had gifted my mother twenty years ago in perfect condition. I stood in the aisle in shock and knew I had just found the perfect gift to give to my mom for Christmas.”

Shopping secondhand at thrift stores, consignment stores, and vintage stores not only helps contribute to sustainability, but it is a more budget conscious way to find unique gifts for your friends and family this holiday season.

Downtown Akron has two incredible spots for secondhand gifting, Northside Cellar and Modern Traditions Co. Both curated secondhand stores have a wide variety of selections to appeal to all, making them great places to look for all your gift giving needs. While traditional stores have hundreds of the same items in all different sizes, secondhand stores rarely have more than one of each item, which can make thrifting both an exciting adventure and a major challenge – that’s why you need a good plan going in.

As experienced thrifters, here are our tips for making the most of your time thrifting in and around Downtown Akron:

Tip 1: Know Your Resale Niche

Before creating a plan on how to navigate the secondhand store of your choice, you should distinguish whether the store is a thrift store, consignment store, or vintage store. We’ve separated them into two groups: curated and not curated.

Not Curated

A thrift store, like Goodwill or Village Discount Outlet, is not a curated store, meaning the store is purely made up from random charitable donations of items. Because they are not selective with the donations they accept, you will have to do some digging. While thrift stores are generally the lowest in price, it does come at a cost of your time. As a rule of thumb, the lower the prices, the more time you will have to search for the interesting items you want to find. If you lack the time or patience to truly search, more curated stores take away the burden of finding those interesting pieces by having a very refined selection in store.

Curated

When a buyer or retail store curates a collection, pricing will reflect the time the store has put into sourcing those items, but the quality of the items at these prices is often better than what can be bought new.

There are several kinds of stores that fall under the curated resale umbrella.

Consignment stores, like Plato's Closet, or Uptown Cheapskates, resell items on behalf of the owner, who is then paid a percentage of the selling price. Consignment stores aim to curate a collection of lightly worn modern clothing, with a focus on current trends.

Vintage stores typically have a narrower focus, sometimes only selling a curated collection of vintage items from a singular decade. Modern Traditions Co for instance, is a vintage clothing

store, meaning they have a curated collection of clothing 30 years and older.

Consignment stores fall roughly somewhere in between, they are not quite as curated as a vintage store, but they have guidelines as to what they will accept to sell in their stores, meaning you will still have to search a little, but the prices generally fall somewhere between thrift and vintage stores.

Not every secondhand store falls directly into one category. Oftentimes, stores will have both consignment and vintage sections. Northside Cellar sells secondhand consignment but also has a curated vintage section that is hand-picked by the owner, Wendy Geonis. To keep the store up to date, she also incorporates new products from boutiques. This allows for Northside Cellar to have a unique blend of pieces from vintage to contemporary.

Emma: “I work at Uptown Cheapskate, which is a resale store in Canton, Ohio. It’s not quite the same as consignment, we buy and sell clothes the same day for cash or store credit. We take things within the past two years to keep everything up to date and sell well for the store.

Uptown Cheapskate does have a vintage section for all our vintage lovers. We take men’s and women’s clothes, accessories, and purses, depending on the condition.

I enjoy working there because you can see what type of style different people have, what sells and what doesn’t, and you meet tons of different people with a love of fashion. All the fashion stories and finds from all the people I have met is part of why I love to shop second hand.”

Tip 2: Narrow Your Focus

Now that you have an idea of what kind of store you are visiting, you will want to come up with a rough idea of things to look out for when going to the store.

When looking for quality clothes look for:

• Natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool, cashmere, leather, or suede

• Any corduroy, denim, or velvet pieces that are thick and have weight to them

• Good construction, such as consistent and strong stitching along hems

• High quality brands like Free People, Anthropologie, Madewell, Ralph Lauren, J.Crew, etc.

Olivia: “I like to create lists and mood boards before going shopping so I have a rough guide of items to look for, colors to catch my eye, or certain fabrics you may want. Although narrowing your focus will help you start out, don’t let the guide overrule a cool find, sometimes the best finds are the ones that find you.”

Tip 3: Measure Up the Recipient

Clothing can be intimidating to shop for secondhand, not only for yourself but especially while shopping for someone else. Often, the clothing has been washed, dried, and worn, meaning the size of the garment may be larger or smaller than what you would expect from the size on the tag.

When asked about tips, the owner of Modern Traditions Co, Aaron Gascon, suggested that if you're planning to thrift your gifts for the holiday season, it is crucial to ask for the recipient’s sizes before you get started.

When shopping for clothes for others, it is most forgiving to shop for shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, or dresses. Generally, look at your typical size, one size below and one size above, and when looking at vintage clothing, look two to four sizes bigger than the modern size.

Tip 4: Help them Accessorize

If clothes are still intimidating, accessories are always easy to thrift.

Scarves, purses, wallets, jewelry, hats, etc. are all great options for gifts. The owner of the Northside Cellar, Wendy Geonis highlighted their selection of earrings for holiday shopping.

“We have lots of earrings, every price range, every style, so many fun earrings because earrings always fit,” Geonis said.

Geonis also went on to highlight one of her favorite items in the store, which were wristlet wallets designed to look like the covers of popular books like Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, and Winnie the Pooh.

Emma: “I love the idea of adding accessories to personalize your outfits. Finding secondhand accessories is always exciting because most of the time you can pair your findings with so many different outfits. This holiday season I am on the lookout to gift accessories for my friends and family.”

Tip 5: Skip the Clothing Altogether

Outside of apparel, you can pretty much find anything secondhand. For any music media lovers, shop for their favorite artists on CDs, books or vinyl records. Beware when buying any electronics, DVDs, CDs, vinyl records, as these items typically run the greatest risk for being broken.

The housewares section is full of potential. For people that love to host, there are always good finds in the glassware section, from sets of interesting drinking glasses to serving bowls. There is typically a large selection of small bowls or plates that can be gifted as a trinket dish or ring holder.

Olivia: “Last holiday season, my friends and I decided to do a ‘Thriftmas’ gift exchange. Since we are all busy with school, we found it easier to use an online gift exchange generator in our group chat so we could know who we were shopping

without having to find a time for all of us to meet.

Once I knew who I was shopping for, I headed out to my local thrift store. My friend Bayleigh loves to travel, especially to national parks, so I was looking for either a cute crew neck or hat from a national park.

Even with an idea in my mind about what she would like, when I was looking around the store, I felt like nothing was really matching her vibe. Then, I went down a random toy aisle and spotted a stuffed potted plant with a cute smile on it.

I had stumbled upon a rare pink Amuseable Hyacinth Jellycat, a trendy stuffed animal brand. In that moment I just knew the thrift gods just helped me find the perfect gift for Bayleigh. When we exchanged gifts, she absolutely adored the Jellycat. Just another one of those moments where deviating from my thrifting plan helped me get a better gift than I originally planned.”

Tip 6: Gift a Thrift Card

When in doubt, gift cards are a great option. Here in Downtown Akron, both Northside Cellar and Modern Traditions Co have gift cards available to purchase.

Emma: “If you aren’t confident that you can find something your friend or family would love, you can never go wrong with giving a gift card. That way you can still give the gift of thrifting this holiday season and they can pick something out they will adore.”

Tip 7: Dive in, the Water’s Fine

At the end of the day, the best way to shop secondhand is to just go out there and do it. But once you get started, you might get addicted - don’t say we didn’t warn you.

If you are giving the gift of thrift this holiday season, shop downtown at: Modern Traditions Co. and Northside Cellar, or follow them on Instagram @moderntradtionsco and @northsidecellar.

Graduating UA Senior Alyssa Alexsonshk found the vintage dress of her dreams at Northside Cellar. The 1930s black, vintage a-line, anklelength dress evoked Audrey Hepburn when Alexsonshk first tried it on, so she had to take make the vision a reality.

What will you find at Northside Cellar? The line-up changes daily, so you never know! What you can be sure of is that owner Wendy Geonis curates an outstanding collection.

Shop Vintage @RBVretro

Give the gift of nostalgia, charm and a piece of the past.

By Kiana Pettiford

In a world where fast fashion often dominates, vintage is becoming more than just a trend. It’s a way to connect with the past, preserve memories, and make sustainable choices.

The appeal of vintage is deeply personal for Kitty Branham, owner of RBVretro.

Growing up in a family with limited resources, she was often gifted second-hand items, which sparked her lifelong appreciation for vintage treasures.

“I grew up poor, and my parents always bought me used things— whether it was a hand-me-down toy or a vintage item,” she recalls. “That’s how I developed a love for vintage goods. They have history, memories, and value.”

While ZipsGuide, often focuses on brick-and-mortar shops, this time, we are including a local online seller who frequently vends at downtown Akron events like the Smells Like

Snow Coffee festival.

RBVretro specializes in a variety of vintage and handmade items, including eyeglass chains, vintage combs, clothing, accessories, books, and holiday décor.

Each piece in Branham’s shop carries a story, making it more than just a product. Each one is a piece of the past.

Based in Akron, Ohio, her Etsy shop offers a wide variety of unique items that speak to shoppers' desire for one-of-a-kind pieces.

RBVretro, formerly known as Recycle Buy Vintage, first started as a small project focused on selling homemade jewelry and home décor.

“It all began with my love for creating things,” Branham said. “I started selling at museums and festivals, sharing my handmade jewelry and home décor pieces.”

With Etsy’s restrictions on certain homemade items, Branham shifted her focus to vintage.

Now, RBVretro offers a delightful mix of vintage accessories, including eye-catching combs, bags, books, and even vintage Christmas decorations, giving buyers a chance to own something from the past that still feels fresh and modern.

Branham’s Etsy shop features a mix of items, but some of her best sellers are eye glass chains and vintage combs. These items have become favorites because they’re both useful and full of charm.

“They’re simple but stylish, and people love them for both the look and the function,” Branham says. Beyond the bestsellers, Kitty enjoys selling pieces that hold personal meaning, whether it’s something from her childhood or an item that brings back memories for her customers.

While there are some vintage styles she doesn’t care for, like the red and hunter green checkered patterns from the ‘90s, she knows

that every era has its own appeal.

What sets RBVretro apart from other shops like hers is Branham’s attention to detail and her commitment to providing a great experience for her customers.

With a 5-star rating on Etsy, Kitty loves reading feedback from her buyers. “I really care about what my customers think, and I always want to improve,” she said. “I want everyone to have a great experience and find something they truly love.”

As the holiday season approaches, Branham is ready for a busy time. With international shipping and store credit exchanges, RBVretro is perfect for those looking to give a unique, meaningful gift to friends across the country or the world.

“Vintage items make great gifts because they’re personal and special,” Branham says. “It’s like giving someone a little piece of the past.”

Looking back on her journey, Branham offers some advice for anyone wanting to start their own business. “Just keep

(Above): Kitty Branham during her interview with ZipsGuide. All product photos (Left) and the interview selfie are courtesy of Kitty Branham.

Global Threads Highlights Global Artists, Fair-Trade Practices and Cultural Exchange

Visit the Global Threads shop in Northside Marketplace to purchase

Born in 1998 in a refugee camp in Nepal Sumi Baraily emigrated to the United States from her native Bhutan.

Though she emigrated, ultimately setting down roots in Akron, Ohio, Baraily embraces her culture, continuing to develop and practice her weaving and embroidery skills, skills that are deeply rooted in her Bhutanese culture.

In fact, preserving the culture among refugee families who have settled in the Akron area is important to Baraily. She currently teaches at Himalayan Arts Languages & Cultural Academy in North Hill, working to preserve Nepali, Bhutanese and other South Asian cultures and traditions. An accomplished dancer, she shares culture through dance performances. She also teaches preschool in Akron Public Schools.

Baraily also preserves her culture through her handmade textile goods, many of which she creates from preowned, upcycled sari fabric.

These include bags, backpacks, aprons and facemasks for both children and adults.

Finding an audience for and marketing her goods with her busy schedule could prove very difficult. Luckily, Baraily has a partnership with Global Threads Fair Trade that helps her share her heritage and support her livelihood.

Her work exemplifies the shops’ mission of cultural exchange and economic empowerment.

Global Threads, a boutique located in Akron’s Northside Marketplace, is more than a retail operation. It is a mission-driven boutique facilitated by Global Ties Akron, an organization dedicated to fostering international connections and cultural exchange.

Global Threads serves as a platform for artisans from around the world to share their handcrafted goods, providing them with a source of income while educating the local community about diverse cultures. This holiday season, Global

Threads is offering special discounts on its fair-trade items, creating an opportunity for customers to purchase meaningful gifts while directly supporting artisans and ensuring a fair wage for their handcrafted goods.

The boutique highlights an array of unique products, each with a story to tell, making it a destination for thoughtful holiday shopping.

Another creator that is featured in the Global Threads product line is African artisan and fashion designer Safia Assimiwu.

According to Global Ties’ product information, Assimiwu was discovered by Global Ties founding Executive Director, Michelle Wilson, during a U.S. Department of Statesponsored exchange trip to Ghana.

The two women forged a fairtrade relationship between Sasa Creations, Assimiwu’s company and Global Ties. Wilson commissioned a line of kaleidoscopic neckties, which would later become Global Threads line of “global ties.”

Assimiwu creates bonnets, leather-wrapped handled fans, handbags and more items that feature African printed batik textiles in a rainbow of colors.

The partnership helps Assimiwu and her company empower other artists and producers from Accra, Ghana, who are primarily women. Now, their products are sold in the Accra Arts Center in Ghana AND in downtown Akron.

The stories of these women and other artisans who create fair-trade

goods for Global Threads aren’t secondary to the retail goods – they are just as important.

“Global Threads fosters appreciation of global traditions while empowering artisans to share their stories with the world,” Global Ties Executive Director Evelyn Williams, said.

Global Threads works to empower artisans like Baraily and Assimiwu by ensuring fair-trade practices.

This means artisans receive direct profits from their sales, providing a sustainable income for their families and communities. The boutique features products from both local and international artisans, bridging cultures and displaying a variety of crafts.

Notable items available at Global Threads include:

Upcycled Tote Bags: These ecofriendly bags are crafted from repurposed fabrics, blending sustainability with practical design.

Jewelry and Accessories: Handcrafted pieces inspired by global traditions, including t-shirts and bags adorned with Ghanaian motifs such as the impala lily.

Textiles and Fashion Pieces: Unique clothing and home décor items, some of which have been featured on the runway at Ohio Fashion Week.

The boutique’s local impact extends beyond sales.

Program Manager Adriane Clayton recalls a moment when she witnessed community members connecting directly with the

artisan’s work.

“We were at an event in North Hill, and kids recognized Sumi’s work,” she said. “They were so excited, calling her ‘famous.’ It was amazing to see their pride and excitement for her.”

Global Threads continues to commission items like the “global ties,” using traditional fabrics and styles from the cultures of the fairtrade artists.

This holiday season, Global Threads is offering discounts on some of its most popular items, including tote bags, masks, jewelry, and more.

These handcrafted products are not only beautiful but also meaningful, as each purchase directly supports the artisans who create them.

Visit Global Threads this holiday season for a unique shopping experience that combines cultural education with meaningful support for artisans.

Customers can explore a diverse collection of goods, learn about the traditions behind the craftsmanship, and contribute to a fair-trade marketplace that uplifts communities worldwide.

Visit Global Threads at Northside Marketplace this holiday season to find unique, handcrafted gifts that tells a story. Whether shopping for a friend, family member, or yourself, each item purchased supports fair trade and promotes a global exchange of art and culture.

With inflation making holiday gifting more difficult this year, downtown Akron’s small, local shops offer a bevy of affordable gifting options.

A ZipsGuide to Gift Giving Under $10

By Natalie Feaser

Photos by Natalie Feaser

“Get out there and shop small and local – not only will you find amazing deals, but you will also put your hardearned money right back into our community rather than sending it to big box retailers.”

Asthe semester winds down, Zips everywhere are gearing up to head home for the holidays. But finding the perfect gift for loved ones can be tricky, especially when you're a college student on a tight budget (but with inflation, perhaps we are all feeling that way this year). To help everyone find affordable gift options, without further ado, I am pleased to present: A ZipsGuide to Gift Giving for Under $10—a road map to thoughtful, affordable presents that celebrate the unique charm of Akron. With something for everyone, this guide will help you bring a little piece of Akron home for the holidays.

The Peanut Shoppe

A beloved Akron staple since the 1930s, The Peanut Shoppe delights locals with its rich history and colorful selection of treats.

From freshly roasted nuts to an array of candies and snacks sold by the pound, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. I picked up a pound of honey-roasted peanuts for only $3.95—a perfect holiday treat to bring back home. Stepping into this nostalgic shop feels like going back in time, making it a special place to find a thoughtful and delicious gift that captures Akron’s history.

Sunny Scents

Looking to add color and creativity to your gift-giving? Sunny Scents offers handmade, vibrant car accessories that are both practical and fun. I stopped by their shop in Northside Marketplace and pia lavender car diffuser for just $10 to freshen up my car. For a little extra, you can upgrade to a $12 custom wax car freshener, which is Sunny Scents’ specialty. They also offer wax melts, stickers, and more— all bursting with amazing scents and bright colors. These unique products are perfect for adding a personal touch to a car or room, making them a memorable gift option for your loved ones.

Rubber City Comics

For the superhero or sci-fi fan in your life, Rubber City Comics is a treasure trove of Marvel, DC, Star Wars, and more. With an everchanging selection of comics on sale, you can find a thoughtful, budget-friendly gift. I found this The Walking Dead Deluxe Issue for just $4.99—a perfect gift for my dad, who’s a longtime fan of the series. If your budget allows for a little splurge, you can pick up a Funko Pop figure for $15—or grab two for $25. Whether you’re gifting a vintage find or a modern favorite, Rubber City Comics makes it easy to bring home a piece of Akron’s vibrant geek culture this holiday.

Silk & Glow

The holidays are all about selfcare and pampering, and Silk & Glow has you covered. I picked up a pumpkin spice body butter for just $7 at their shop in Northside Marketplace, and it left my skin feeling silky smooth while smelling like freshly baked pumpkin pie. Specializing in handmade natural skincare, Silk & Glow offers a variety of products, including body oils, scrubs, butters, beard oils, lip glosses, and facial care items. Their motto, “Keep Glowing, it’s the NEW you!” is reflected in their luxurious, but affordable products. A Silk & Glow body butter would make a wonderful gift for anyone who loves a little indulgence.

Chef Gina’s Bakery

For a sweet treat to bring home, check out Chef Gina’s Bakery at their grab-and-go location in Northside Marketplace. I picked up a cheesecake brownie for $4, and it was indulgent, rich, and oh-so-chocolatey. Chef Gina’s passion for baking was inspired by her grandfather, whose cinnamon rolls filled her childhood home with warmth and joy. She specializes in stunning, delicious cakes and pastries that are a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds.

These budget-friendly picks certainly aren’t the only ones in Northside Marketplace or downtown Akron. Get out there and shop small and local – not only will you find amazing deals, but you will also put your hardearned money right back into our community rather than sending it to big box retailers. These gifts under $10 prove that great gifts don’t have to come with a hefty price tag. So, spread some holiday cheer, and support small businesses to make this holiday season extra special.

By Audrey Fleck

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the city received daily calls about one business in particular. The calls kept coming in nearly daily for eight months.

“The city was getting calls every day, ‘When is the Peanut Shoppe coming back?’” Marge Klein, the current owner of the historic Akron store said.

Not getting a satisfactory answer from the city, their next step was to call Klein directly.

“So, they call me, and I say, ‘Well, as soon as people can drive down the street and we can walk down the sidewalk without concrete being every which way,’” she said.

The combination of the pandemic and road and sidewalk construction made it nearly impossible for foot traffic to enter the store.

Once the construction and COVID-19 were no longer a concern, the city pitched in to help the Peanut Shoppe reopen. Was it because of the daily calls? We may never know.

Klein was able to apply for and receive grants along with many other downtown businesses that allowed her to restock and reopen

The Peanut Shoppe of Akron

the Peanut Shoppe.

So why was the community so worried about the store?

Opened during the Great Depression as part of a chain of Planters peanut stores that spanned the country, the Peanut Shoppe of Akron is one of the few peanut shoppes left. The Akron community is clearly aware of how special it is to have an original peanut shoppe.

Since it opened in the 1930s, the Peanut Shoppe has seen many changes. One thing that hasn’t changed is the way the store is staffed by family and friends.

Klein started working there in1980 after her father bought the store. When he passed, Klein took ownership in 1998.

With little experience running a store, Klein relied on other Peanut Shoppes in the country to learn.

“I could call on these people and ask them questions to help,” Klein said.

Klein recalls one time she needed the help of the owner of the Peanut Shoppe in Columbus. The Peanut Shoppe moved to its current location in 2003 when the city of Akron invited the store to move across from Lock 3.

“There were a lot of things that

were grandfathered in the old building,” Klein said. “We had to figure out how to do things a little differently in the year 2003 compared to 1932.”

One thing that changed with the move was the piping for the roasters.

In the original building, the roaster pipes led to outside the front of the shop. People could smell the roasted peanuts down the street, which brought them in the doors and made walking on main a sensory delight.

When the store moved, it was not possible to build the pipes to lead outside. However, they do still use the same roasters from the 1930s.

Another thing that life-long customers miss are the original red bags with the Peanut Shoppe name. Once the stores became individually owned, the owner of the Baltimore Peanut Shoppe was in charge of ordering the bags. Unfortunately, the company that made the original bags stopped producing them. Since then, the store has used white bags.

“You don’t get everything when you want it, you have to be patient,” Klein said. “And so we have been patient, we’ve done everything we can.”

Now that the Peanut Shoppe is across from Lock 3, the store benefits from city events. Its current location means that people can walk to the store easily, even when the events are not held directly in Lock 3 and are instead down the road.

“The city wants to see us stay and keep going for how many more years,” Klein said.

Currently, the Peanut Shoppe is filled with history. Over the years, customers have given the store old pictures for Klein to hang on the walls.

“We have people coming down from Cleveland that just sit here and look at all the pictures,” Klein said.

The original candy and peanut cases are still used. Inside, the smell of peanuts still comes from the original roasters. The store also features Mr. Peanut memorabilia. Statues and pictures are seen in abundance, most of which were gifted by customers.

“I always hear the little kids come in and go, ‘Look, there’s Mr. Peanut’,” Klein said.

The history of the Peanut Shoppe and the connection it has to the community is important to many people, including Klein. Her favorite thing about the history of this shop is seeing all the generations that love the store.

“Their grandparents came in, and then their parents came in, and now they’re coming in,” Klein said. “And now they’re coming in and they’re bringing their kids.”

According to Klein, the most popular menu items are honey roasted cashews, cinnamon pecans, cinnamon almonds, and salted cashews.

“Sometimes I’ll recommend mixed nuts and add some dried strawberries to them,” Klein said. “It’s like a sweet and saltiness.”

For those from the area, Klein recommends salted or unsalted peanuts in the shell. As for candy, she recommends the oldfashioned candies. For newcomers the cinnamon almonds, smoked almonds, honey cashew, and the party mix top the list. The Peanut Shoppe also makes their own peanut butter.

The store offers samples before customers buy. While ingredients are not listed up front, customers can ask in case of allergies.

The store offers gift cards and tins. The tins have different size inserts so that multiple types of candy and peanuts can be in one tin. The store will refill tins too.

This holiday season, support an Akron original and give your loved ones, friends or corporate clients the gift of roasted peanuts from Main Street.

And, if you ever hear that your favorite local legend has been closed temporarily due to construction, permits, codes, an untimely pandemic, or inflation, we hope that you will be one of those daily phone calls.

It’s up to the community to put our hard-earned money directly back into our community by shopping local and looking out for our neighbors who work hard to keep downtown filled with nostalgia, history and, well, nuts.

Photos of the iconic scales and bulk bins, Mr. Peanut, the memory wall and the facade of The Peanut Shoppe of Akron by Audrey Fleck.

Gift a Staycation: Cherry Blossom Weekend

By Jaelyn Clinkscales and Julie Cajigas

If you’re looking for a unique gift that’s both memorable and packed with charm, consider surprising someone special with a weekend getaway to downtown Akron, Ohio. Of course there are 52 weekends in a year, but we are focused on a specific weekend each spring that offers a truly unique Akron experience.

The 2025 Sakura Festival will take place on Saturday, April 5, and offers an opportunity for a one-ofa-kind staycation. With more than 450 cherry blossom trees lining the Ohio Erie Canal Towpath, the beauty of spring in Akron rivals the famous blossoms in the National Mall in Washington D.C.

It’s a great weekend to escape overnight to downtown Akron and take advantage of the downtown

district’s entertainment, dining and shopping.

Booking the Hotel

Downtown Akron has two hotel properties less than a mile from the Towpath and the blossoms. The first is the Courtyard Akron Downtown, nestled in the Northside District next to Northside Marketplace, Dante Bocuzzi Akron and the Northside Speakeasy, and across the street from Akron’s renowned Luigi’s restaurant and Jilly’s Music Room, a live music venue with a gluten-free menu.

Rooms at the Courtyard, which features an indoor pool and fitness center for staycation recreation, are booking for under $200 a night for that first weekend in April. Staying there, your gift recipients will be steps from the Sakura Festival and

just about any experience they might be looking to have on their staycation.

For those who enjoy staying in a historic property, the BLU-Tique, Akron, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, located at 1 S. Main St. in the heart of downtown, features mid-century architecture. The location is directly across the street from the BLUJazz+, a local jazz club as well as Musica, another live music venue.

A quick walk down Main will bring guests to the Akron Civic, Lock3, and a variety of both upscale and casual restaurants and bars. A walk in the other direction down Market will bring you right to the Akron Art Museum. BLU-Tique rooms are a steal at just over $200 a night during the Sakura festival (if booked today).

Staycation Must-See Itinerary

There are so many things to do around each of these Marriot hotel properties, which aren’t that far removed from one another, we are certain you could create your own itinerary. That said, we wanted to share a few ideas:

All Aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Enjoy a scenic ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR), where passengers can enjoy stunning views of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park from the comfort of a historic train. The station is in the Northside District, a quick walk from downtown and directly behind the Courtyard Akron.

The rhythm of the rails, combined with the breathtaking landscapes of forests, rivers, and open meadows, is a wonderful way to enjoy the season. CVSR offers several onboard experiences, perfect for nature lovers or history buffs alike and the beautiful, relaxed ride sets the tone for the whole weekend.

During the train ride, guests can take in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s natural wonders and even get off in Peninsula, Ohio, in the heart of the national park where they can find shopping, dining and hiking.

For a bit of adventure, add a bike rental option from Blimp City Bike and Hike and try the Bike Aboard! program, where they can pedal their way through the park and hop back on the train at any station.

Visit cvsr.org to purchase a gift card that your recipient can use to book their ride once the 2025 events and rides calendar has been released.

A Stroll Through History at the Mustill Store Museum and Towpath Trail

Upon returning to the Northside Station, head to the Mustill Store Museum, a charming spot located on the Towpath Trail. This historic

canal-era store, built in the 1800s, has been beautifully preserved and now houses a museum that brings to life the history of Ohio’s canal days. Here, guests can learn about the travelers and tradespeople who frequented the canal and explore the exhibits that tell the story of the area’s early industries.

The Towpath is itself a wonder. A nearly 100-mile trail that connects Lake Erie to the heart of Ohio, the Towpath is steeped in history. With more than 50 trailheads to visit, this is another great time to rent a bike from Blimp City Bike and Hike and explore as far as your feet can pedal.

Of course, the Towpath is also the location of the 450+ cherry blossom trees. Before and during the Sakura Festival, Downtown Akron Partnership has an Instagram photo contest. Head out with your camera (or your phone) and shoot some pictures of the iconic blossoms for a chance to win some downtown shopping dollars.

Sakura Festival – A Celebration of Japanese Culture and Spring’s Blossoms

On the second day, your staycation gift recipient can visit to the Sakura Festival, where they’ll be swept into a world of cherry blossoms, traditional music, Sake tasting, crafts and local vendors.

The festival marks the start of spring and features traditional Taiko drum performances, kimonos, origami, and art displays. It’s a unique cultural experience where visitors can taste Japanese street foods like Takoyaki and Japanese cheesecakes, learn a little about Japan’s heritage, and, of course, capture the beauty of blooming cherry blossoms.

If you’re looking to gift them the perfect Sakura Festival outfit, consider an Akron-themed sweater from LiRo Apparel and Accessories. Made with soft alpaca acrylic blend,

Photos of Orion and blossoms, the Towpath and blossoms, and the Northside Station by Julie Cajigas.

Photos of the performers and sake tasting by Richard Walter.

the sweaters featuring traditional Peruvian designs melded with symbols of Akron (blimp anyone?) is the perfect zip-up hoodie for the unpredictable weather of spring. You can pick up your sweater at LiRo Apparel’s Northside Marketplace shop, on their website, or at their new Kiosk in Summit Mall.

Shopping the Northside District

No Akron getaway would be complete without some local shopping! Head to the Northside District for an afternoon of browsing the best local products, artisan goods and vintage gems Akron has to offer.

The Northside Marketplace, the anchor of the Northside District, features more than 100 local

entrepreneurs, artisans and artists selling everything from handmade jewelry to locally crafted snacks and souvenirs. It’s a great spot to pick up Akron-themed gifts and mementos, meet friendly artisans, and support small businesses.

The Northside Marketplace also offers up dining possibilities like NOMZ, where you can find sandwiches, tacos, salads, soups, brunch and a full bar (both coffee and liquor). Across the gathering space from NOMZ, you can find Plannerz Place Eatery, a soul food restaurant with a signature rotating menu that includes comfort foods like mac and cheese, soul rolls, meatloaf, pulled pork and more. After you eat, don’t forget to stop by Essential Dipped Delights for a

dipped dessert or walk throughout the marketplace where you’ll find bakery, cake pops and other tasty treats. Finish out with a bubble tea from Liquid Lab & Studio.

Find gift cards for the above vendors and experiences here.

Also in Northside is Zeber-Martell gallery, Northside Cellar and Trust Books, a trio of small local shops that are perfect to browse. ZeberMartell Gallery and Clay Studio features glassworks, clay, lighting, ornaments and more. Northside Cellar is a women’s consignment, vintage, new clothing shop with a curated collection with something for everyone, and Trust Books is a great place to pull up a chair and read.

Why is it called Trust? The store has no employees, just a cash register filled with petty cash and the books. You’re on the honors system in Trust. The space is expansive and includes a kitchen with a fridge stocked with beverages you can also buy at the register. They now accept Venmo for those of us who don’t carry cash these days. They also have a guitar in case you’re feeling an impromptu acoustic jam session. Give the Gift of Lifelong Memories

This staycation getaway to Akron makes a perfect gift for someone who loves new adventures, local culture, and scenic experiences. But the gift is more than just a trip, it’s a meaningful gift that lets someone step away from the everyday and dive into the beauty and charm right in their own backyard.

Copyright © ZipsGuide 2024