On Monday, Aug. 2 at 11 a.m., Queens, New York-based attorney Marc Scolnick and Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan will cut the ribbon on Scolnick’s newest law office: not in Manhattan or Brooklyn, but at 1014 Kenmore Blvd. in Akron.

Scolnick, a University of Akron Law School graduate, chose the location because of its highway accessibility, affordability and the revitalization efforts already underway on Kenmore Boulevard, one of Akron’s 13 Great Streets districts. His is the 10th new business to announce its opening in the district since the pandemic began.

“As a U of A Law School grad, it was always my hope to open an office in Akron. We believe the area is in need of our services. We are also excited to contribute to the future enhancement of the Kenmore area.” Scolnick said.

The move is strategic: By reducing physical overhead costs and employing Akron-based paralegals and law professionals, Scolnick believes he can more affordably serve both his Akron clients and his expanding New York and New Jersey client bases.

“By eventually transitioning our support staff to Ohio, we can provide the same superior service to our clients while reducing costs, which in turn reduces fees. This will also bring jobs to the Kenmore area with competitive salaries,” he said.

The Law Office of Marc Scolnick‘s areas of practice include business law, criminal law, bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, landlord/tenant, copyright/trademark, divorce/family law, civil litigation, trusts and estates, and real estate law. The Akron location will be managed day to day by John D. Hoffman Jr. Esq, another University of Akron Law School graduate.

“We are excited to welcome Marc and his team to Akron, not only because of the services they offer but also the vision for more well-paying jobs for the city,” Mayor Horrigan said. “He could have opened his office anywhere, but he chose our Kenmore Boulevard Great Streets district, which shows the investments we’re making are working.”

Tina Boyes, executive director of Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance, Kenmore’s community development corporation, agreed: “We have legal professionals living in our neighborhood, yet they must go to the suburbs or further for employment. The more of our residents we can retain during the daytime, and the more diverse the services and employment base is on the Boulevard, the more demand there will be for things our community wants, including restaurants, coffee shops and retail shops. We are grateful to be the beneficiary of this great new Akron business.”

Scolnick is currently working with the Great Streets Akron program to improve the exterior of his building through a matching grant. The façade grant is available to business and property owners in all of the 13 Great Streets districts.

“The increasing momentum we’re seeing from our Façade Improvement Grant program is clearly evident here in our Kenmore Great Streets district,” Great Streets Coordinator Mark Greer said. “This and other program initiatives are helping fuel new business growth on the Boulevard, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome Marc back to Akron, where he began his legal studies.”

The Law Office of Marc Scolnick is located at 1014 Kenmore Blvd. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, contact 330-800-9565 or Office@Scolnicklaw.com.

Knight Foundation is asking the question, “What is your best idea for the arts in Akron?” and they’re looking for answers in Kenmore.

On Tuesday, July 20, East Avenue Market along with ArtsNow will host Akron’s first Knight Arts Challenge Community Workshop, where arts idealists can talk to past arts challenge winners, ask questions and brainstorm and bounce ideas. The event will take place 5-7 p.m. at So Fresh Used Auto Sales at 2290 East Ave.

The Knight Arts Challenge Akron is a $3 million, three-year initiative to draw the best and most innovative ideas out of local organizations and individuals seeking to engage and enrich the community through the arts. Whether you’re an independent artist, business, established arts institution, organization or individual, no idea is too large or too small, as long as it follows three basic rules:

1. Your idea is about arts.
2. Your project takes place in or benefits Akron.
3. You find other funding to match Knight Foundation’s grant.

Kenmore produced two 2019 Knight Arts Challenge finalists: Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance for the Big Boulevard Sign Build to transform Kenmore’s historic business district through artistic business signage, and Friends of Chestnut Ridge Park/Akron Parks Collaborative for their Many Voices, One Akron residency program.

This year, the Knight Arts Challenge is interested in how artists and art organizations are creating works that attract audiences, enhance in-person experiences, document creation, or amplify reach to people who wouldn’t otherwise experience the art. Audio, video, websites, mobile apps, augmented reality and virtual reality are all potential tools.

“Through the Knight Arts Challenge, we want to support artists and art organizations who are showing the way forward as cities reopen, and encourage them to embrace new forms of expression that mirror ways audiences are engaging with art,” said Victoria Rogers, Knight’s vice president for the Arts. “We look forward to adding new artists and ideas to help bring their incredible works of art to life.”

During the July 1 to 31 application period, Knight will host two virtual town hall meetings on July 1 and July 26, and members of the Knight Arts team will be available for virtual office hours to answer questions about the application process or to provide feedback on pitching ideas. To reserve a time, or to learn more about the Knight Arts Challenge, visit kf.org/kac21.