By Jennifer Conn Spectrum News

Published December 16, 2022

Students at Innes Community Learning Center in Akron decorated a window on Kenmore Boulevard.

Kenmore Boulevard is ablaze with holiday cheer again this year.

Light the Boulevard, Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance’s annual initiative, is a window-decorating contest that enables business owners to show off their storefronts with festive displays, while bolstering end-of-year business.

Holiday revelers can vote online for their favorite display through Dec. 31, with the winner announced Jan. 2, 2023, KNA said.

Light the Boulevard is also a measure of the economic vitality the business district has exhibited in the past couple years, as small businesses have steadily filled the historic storefronts.

Kenmore Boulevard was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019, and is the first Akron business district to receive the designation.

Currently, KNA counts about 40 businesses on the Boulevard, including at least 10 small businesses, that opened their doors during the pandemic, KNA reported.

The first year of Light the Boulevard was in 2020 when the city opted to let the neighborhoods provide holiday cheer rather than host the traditional tree lighting and other events downtown that drew large crowds.

That year, along with festive street décor, KNA offered 18 decorated storefronts, which were important for people seeking holiday cheer, organizers said.

At the time, local and federal officials were warning of the dangers of gathering in any capacity to avoid transmission of COVID-19.

With support from the city, Kenmore and a few other neighborhoods put up lights and decorations to give families a reason to bundle up the kids, jump in the car and drive around the city enjoying the holiday season.

Light the Boulevard launched in 2020 to bring cheer to families during the pandemic.

“What started out as a way to offer some joy during the pandemic has become a fun tradition,” said, KNA Executive Director Tina Boyes.

This year, Kenmore Boulevard is sporting 28 brightly lit windows. While not all of them have a brick-and-mortar presence on the strip, all are essential to the neighborhood, KNA said.

Some, like Rubber City Radio Group and The Summit.FM, are active in Kenmore year-round through the airwaves to lending musical expertise to special events.

Seventh- and eighth-grade art students at Innes Community Learning Center also decorated a window this year, Boyes said.

Akron METRO has a window, which is fitting, as METRO not only provides essential services for the neighborhood, Kenmore Boulevard also was once a hub of active streetcar and trolley traffic, KNA said.

Going northeast on the Boulevard toward Summit Lake, the Kenmore Boulevard Trolley Barns are still standing, with three, 500-foot bays where the Akron Transportation Co. stored and repaired the trolleys.

In the Light the Boulevard contest, the decorator of the window with the most votes will be awarded a $100 gift certificate to spend at a favorite Kenmore Boulevard business.

By Ted Lehr, SuperNoBueno.Wordpress.com

So, I’m a bit of a café guy. Most weekdays after work, I can routinely be found at various coffee or tea shops around the city working on a writing project or watching stupid YouTube videos (are there any other kind?) on my laptop.

Back in September, a new spot opened in Akron: Srina Tea House & Cafe. Located at 975 Kenmore Blvd., just a stone’s throw from the Kenmore Branch Library and across the street from the Rialto Theatre, Srina was a desperately needed (and requested) addition to the BLVD District.

Equal parts tea house and café, Srina offers a great selection of lunch items like salads, wraps and soups (even ramen!) all curated by chefs who work closely with owner Monaqui Porter-Young and manager Lee Porter to strike the right balance of healthy, yet delicious, fare for the customer.

I’m usually at the shop around 3 PM, so I tend to fall more in the snack zone. My favorite at Srina? THE BAGELS! Soft and plump, they are imported from Just Bagels in New York. Kettle-boiled and made with “genuine” NY water, my favorite is the “everything” bagel—toasted–with butter (natch). The golden-brown outside is crunchy, while the interior is soft and buttery. It’s just, man, forget about it. Treat yourself to one. (And if a person is so inclined, there are an assortment of flavored cream cheeses to accompany your bagel that will level up the game way beyond 100.)

I guess I sorta buried the lead for this review because, well, the tea. The tea is phenomenal. Flavorful and complex, the organic, loose leaves come directly from Paradise Farm in Sri Lanka. With both health benefits and taste in mind, Srina’s tea is the real deal. I tend to be a cold tea guy, so the Hibiscus iced tea is my jam. It has fruity, floral notes that are both exotic and satisfying. As for hot tea, it was recently recommended by a staff member that I try the Black Vanilla. Both robust and flavorful, it’s proof that a quality tea doesn’t need dressed up with milk or sugar. It’s good enough to stand on its own.

Speaking of the staff, I think Srina boasts one of the better crews in local retail. Friendly, knowledgeable and attentive, they are looking to provide an exceptional experience for the customer. And don’t show up having a bad day when either Charlee or Nina is behind the counter, because they’ll see that you end up smiling whether you want to or not.

And to be honest, you are probably gonna go in and see someone you know there. In recent visits, I’ve run into Tina Boyes of the Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance, musician Chris Butler of “The Waitresses,” and Kenny Lambert of the “Just A Dad From Akron” clothing brand/community outreach organization. Srina is the spot in Kenmore for meetings, meet-ups, dates and general chill sessions.

Not only is Srina a great, convenient, spot to have a hot drink or grab a bite to eat, it’s an aspirational business in the community. Beautifully decorated, thoughtfully curated and run under the banner of excellent customer service, it is an example to businesses in the community and city what they can be, only Srina is doing it right now. To me, that’s something worth supporting.

Srina is located at 975 Kenmore Blvd., Akron, Ohio, 44314. They are open Mon-Sat from 9a-6p. Ph: (234) 334-1599. Gift cards are available in any amount. Visit their website at: Srina.com.

(Ted Lehr is a freelance writer and pop culture blogger from Kenmore. When he isn’t hanging out at Srina, he can be spotted on the bench in front of Pierre’s Brooklyn Pizza & Deli eating a slice or combing the 25 cent boxes at Kenmore Komics & Games looking for undiscovered treasures. His writing can be found daily at SuperNoBueno.Wordpress.com.)

Still have some holiday shopping to get done? We’ve put together some ideas to help you find the perfect presents and take the stress out of your last minute shopping!

For The Model Hobbyist

E&S Hobbies and Trains

980 Kenmore Blvd.

Open Mon., Weds. & Fri. 3 – 6 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. For over 30 years, E&S Hobbies and Trains has been the Akron destination for beginning enthusiasts and expert model makers alike offering trains, models, rockets, RC boats, Planes, Helicopters and cars.

For The Snappy Dresser

Ethicrace Clothing Co. 971 Kenmore Blvd. Open Tues. – Fri. 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.; 12 – 5 p.m. Saturday (*Extended hours Fri. 12/23 until 8 p.m. and Sat. 12/24 until 6 p.m.) Kenmore clothier Ethicrace Clothing Co. designs and specializes in t-shirts, hats, hoodies, jogging suits, shorts, jackets, belts and accessories – including its popular jogging suits and short sets. Ethicrace also offers soaps, which make perfect stocking stuffers!

For Experienced & Aspiring Music Makers Alike

The Guitar Department 972 Kenmore Blvd. Open Mon. – Fri.10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (*Open 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sat. 12/24) Whether you’re looking to give someone their first beginner guitar, bass or ukulele, are in search of a higher end instrument for a more advanced player, or simply want to grab the guitarist in your life some of the essentials like picks, strings, cables, straps, etc., The Guitar Department has got you covered and is fully stocked with a range of instruments and accessories to fit any budget.

For a Gift That Spreads Positivity

Just A Dad From Akron 937 Kenmore Blvd. Open Weds. – Fri. 1 – 7 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Just A Dad From Akron sells apparel printed featuring original designs and positive messages to empower the wearer. A portion of the proceeds go toward hosting free events and offer relief to the community through different outreach programs. Just A Dad From Akron’s goal is to continue providing service to the community in hopes to promote change, positivity and inspiration.

For Kids of All Ages

Kenmore Komics & Games 1020 Kenmore Blvd. Open Mon. & Thurs. 12 – 3 p.m.; Weds. & Fri. 12 – 6 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Kenmore Komics & Games is a comic book and gaming store offering an incredible selection of modern and silver age comics for all ages, role playing/strategy games, collectables, and non-sport cards. You are guaranteed to find something for the comic book lover in your life at Kenmore Komics & Games.

And be sure to stop back again with your holiday money December 28 through 31 for Kenmore Komics & Games end of the year sale!

For The Tea Connoisseur

ManiKitchen Tea Shop 978 Kenmore Blvd Open Tues. – Thurs. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Fri. 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (*Open Sat. 12/24 until 2 p.m.) ManiKitchen is a family-run tea shop specializing in loose-leaf tea blends, tea sets, tea ware, and accessories. Perfect for the tea lover in your life, ManiKitchen is also offering popular seasonal tea blends including Snow Berry, Holly Berry, Seasons Greetings, Pumpkin Spice, Chai, Chocolate, Apple Cinnamon, Cinnamon Orange Spice and Toasted Hazelnut Crunch.

For Something One-of-a-Kind

Marigold Sol 962 Kenmore Blvd. Open Weds. & Thurs. 12-5 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (*Open Sat. 12/24 until 2 p.m.) Specializing in hand-painted one of a kind vintage furniture and home décor, Marigold Sol also offers craft goods and clothing made and sold by an array of local vendors, Wise Owl paints, painting supplies, stencils, stencil kits and gift cards for DIYers and hobbyists. If you’re looking for a gift that’s truly unique, stop by Marigold Sol – they will even package your gift in a bag so it is ready to give!

For a Unique Gift

New Beginnings Boutique and Thrift 932 Kenmore Blvd.

Open Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (*Closed Sat. 12/24) New Beginnings is a thrift store selling gently used clothes, housewares, and vintage items. Stop in and discover all they have to offer!

For The Health Conscious

SRINA Tea House & Cafe. 975 Kenmore Blvd.

Open Mon. – Sat. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; (*Open 2 p.m. Sat. 12/24)

SRINA Tea House & Cafe is one of Kenmore’s newest meeting spots – serving up tea, coffee, and healthy food items. SRINA’s signature tea grown in Sri Lanka, along with tea pots, tea cups, and gift certificates are all available for purchase and make the perfect holiday gifts!

Don’t forget! Gift Certificates are available from these and many businesses on Kenmore Blvd., including The Rialto Theatre, Pierre’s Brooklyn Deli & Pizza, Paninoteca, Lay’s Guitar Shop, The Nite Owl, Buzzbin Art & Music Shop, and Old 97 Cafe.