By Diane Kilivris for The Devil Strip

Yoga is an ancient Indian practice of self-realization that has provided great exercise for many—particularly those among us who are lean and flexible. But for others, it can feel like an exercise in futility.

Intimidating poses with Sanskrit names scare many a beginner away, resigned to the idea that they’re just not built for the practice.

But there’s a new yoga in town. Melissa Lyons of Kenmore was awarded a Rubber City Match Level II Space Award, a grant from the city of Akron that will help her acquire studio space and expand her new venture, All Walks Yoga.

The goal of All Walks is to provide classes that make yoga accessible to everyone, with individualized modifications taught for those with physical limitations or differently-shaped bodies.

Lyons began studying the new concept of “accessible yoga” after her own practice had to change due to major back surgery. After falling in love with yoga in 2016, Lyons needed a spinal fusion, her third surgery due to scoliosis.

“It knocked me out of the yoga game for a while… My spine can’t do the things a normal person can,” she says. When she got back into yoga right before the pandemic, she knew she wanted to not only teach, but to bring accessible yoga to Akron, and specifically Kenmore. She got busy and wrote her business plan while at a yoga training retreat in April.

“I started doing teacher training and I really felt drawn to bringing yoga to people who might not find it very accessible, like people who have differently-shaped bodies or ailments or other things going on. They might need different poses or props or things like that. And I knew that the studios in this area didn’t offer that,” she says.

“Yoga doesn’t have to be 60-minute, 100-degree Vinyasa powering through the poses. You can get the same benefit… It’s movement linked to breath and you can do that in so many different ways,” Lyons says.

According to the Accessible Yoga Association, accessible yoga serves people with disabilities, disease and illnesses, LGBTQ people and ethnic and racial groups.

Accessible Yoga is a concept that began about three years ago. Several books have been written and become popular in the industry, and new certifications are becoming available through the Yoga Alliance.

Currently Lyons teaches a weekly Sunday morning class in borrowed space at the Rialto Theatre in Kenmore. While applying for the Rubber City Space Grant and scouting locations for her own studio, she and her fiancé, Matthew Hirschfelt, have been attending community events, doing chair yoga demonstrations to generate interest.

Observing Lyons at her Sunday class at the Rialto, it becomes apparent that teaching is her passion — her full-time job is teaching third grade at Harris-Jackson CLC in Akron — and she has the kind of patient demeanor that wins the respect of 9-year-olds as well as yoga beginners.

“We’re going to do something a little different this week,” Lyons tells her yogis. “We’re going to hold each pose for 3 minutes, so I want you to hold it at only 75%. If you need to come out of the pose, it’s fine to take a break and come back in,” she adds assuringly.

One of Lyons’s regular Sunday students, Rebecca Rak, said she had dabbled in yoga before but never on a regular basis.

“A lot of the normal yoga classes seem very intimidating. I was always unsure if I was doing the pose right. My body is a little larger than the stereotypical yogi, I would think, so I had issues reaching some of the poses, and then also just feeling comfortable in that space,” Rak says. But she’s been a regular at Lyons’s Sunday morning class since May.

“She (Lyons) very much encourages people to listen to their own bodies and take modifications. She really makes people feel comfortable and still encourages movement in a way that’s going to be healthy for them,” says Rak.

And Rak says the class has made an impact in her daily life. “I play softball and broomball and I’ve noticed that I’m much more flexible and less sore throughout the day because I’m stretching and moving in a focused way.” She has also found that regular yoga has helped in reducing what used to be chronic back pain.

Lyons is back in her third-grade classroom at Jackson-Harris now but dreams of operating her own yoga studio full-time.

“I love teaching, and it’s still a form of giving back to the community. We are very honored to have been chosen by RCM and excited about the road ahead.”

All Walks Yoga can be found online at www.allwalks.yoga.

Diane Kilivris is a freelance writer living in West Akron. When not working, she can be found on the tennis court or obsessively knitting in a cozy chair.

Once again, Block by Block and Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance are seeking a paid Cleaning Ambassador to clean up litter, pull weeds, report safety and infrastructure issues, and offer courteous assistance to businesses, visitors and community members in the Kenmore Boulevard Historic District.

To apply, visit blockbyblock.com, from Choose Locations select Akron, Ohio, then choose Downtown Akron Partnership. Or, for more information about the position, or for help applying, contact lmobley@blockbyblock.com or 330-374-7612.

Since she was 11 years old, Markesha Lawson has been providing expert styling to friends, family and clients. At her new salon, Beauty by Law Salon and Spa, located 930 Kenmore Blvd., she’ll offer hair and nail services with massages, esthetician services and boutique forthcoming.

“I love servicing the public and making people happy,” Markesha said. “I was referred with great recommendation to Kenmore and I look forward to becoming part of the Kenmore community.”

Beauty by Law Salon and Spa is open every other Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. To make an appointment, visit styleseat.com/beautybylawsalonspa or call 234-817-6192.

Photo and article by Jennifer Conn, Spectrum News

AKRON, Ohio – A once declining Akron neighborhood has welcomed its 10th new business since the start of the pandemic.

On Monday, Mayor Dan Horrigan and Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance Executive Director Tina Boyes helped cut a bright red ribbon at the entrance of the new law offices of New York-based attorney Marc Scolnick at 1014 Kenmore Blvd.

The Akron Law Office of Marc Scolnick is the second office for the University of Akron Law School graduate. The office will be managed in the day-to-day by John D. Hoffman, also a UA Law School graduate.

Scolnick returned to New York after graduating with his law degree, but always intended to come back to Akron, which he considers his second home, he told those gathered at the event.

“We see a lot of potential here and we’re looking forward to helping grow the Boulevard and be part of the community,” he said. “I see so much more opportunity than almost anywhere else. You can find warm, gracious people, a working-class mentality, but still having a high-quality product across all industries. And so, we’re going to be doing the same thing here. And be a part of making this place better than it was when I got here.”

Horrigan pointed out that his grandparents once operated a grocery store across the Boulevard from the new law offices.

He credited Boyes and City Councilman Mike Freemen with the momentum that’s been evident on the Boulevard over the past couple years, as darkened storefronts have steadily filled.

“It’s easy for me to get behind great ideas,” Horrigan said. “We’re going to make a big investment in the Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance and those initiatives, and as you can see we’re back on the Boulevard again. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve opened new businesses here. Small business is important.”

Kenmore is one of Akron’s 10 Great Streets communities, an initiative Horrigan announced in 2018. Great Streets integrates economic development, urban planning and engineering to make improvements aimed at revitalizing ailing business districts like the Boulevard, to draw more families to live in the city.

Since then, zoning updates and infrastructure improvements have been underway, all with an eye toward maintaining the character of the Boulevard, while making it more attractive for businesses and residents.

Making properties in the district eligible for historic tax credits, in 2019, the National Park Service added the Kenmore Boulevard Historic District to its National Register of Historic Places.

Boyes, who has shepherded commercial revitalization of the Boulevard, said Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance’s role is to be a connector.

“With Mark and with the other businesses here, we like to connect them to the city services, because there are so many right now, through the Great Streets program,” she said. “We’re here to connect them to fellow business owners. There’s so many businesses that could be using their services and likewise, and we want to connect them to the residents, too, by doing things, like our Kenmore First Fridays, bringing people down to the district activating the space again, showing people that there’s vibrancy here.”

Boyes’ group launched Kenmore First Fridays in 2017, hosting a block party-style monthly outdoor event, featuring food, live music, vendors and games.

Among the business drawn to open in the Boulevard’s historic buildings are Beauty by Law Salon and Spa, which opened its doors last week at 930 Kenmore Blvd.

In May, Kenmore native Terrence Bailey fulfilled a lifelong dream, opening Ethicrace Clothing Co. at 971 Kenmore Blvd. Also, in May, Not Just October, a nonprofit offering resources to breast cancer patients, survivors and their supporters hosted a grand opening for its Kim Jacobs Breast Resource Center.

BrightStart Early Preschool opened in June at 1069 Kenmore Boulevard was started by former Kenmore High School student Aletha Harris.

Marigold Sol at 962 Kenmore boulevard opened while the world was shut down last March, offering new and vintage furniture, home décor, gifts and jewelry, as well as classes in custom furniture refinishing.

Also in March, Just a Dad From Akron opened a store at 937 Kenmore Blvd., featuring owner Kenny Lambert’s specially designed clothing that aims to inspire young families.

Also opening were ManiKitchen Tea Shop opened at 979 Kenmore Boulevard; My Love Health Care at 983 Kenmore Boulevard and ThaiSoul Fusion Grill at 992 Kenmore Boulevard.

Kenmore also draws every caliber of musician to the Boulevard with its growing music industry. The Rialto Theatre, a live-music venue and studio, the Guitar Department, a new and used consignment shop that offers music lessons, are all mainstays on the Boulevard.

Also on the strip, Lays Guitar Shop has been known since the ’60s for quality repairs and restoration, and is frequented by Black Keys guitarist Dan Auerbach and Cleveland native Joe Walsh.

SRINA Tea House on 975 Kenmore Blvd., a full-service restaurant, is expected to open in the near future through a city of Akron Rubber City Match grant for new businesses.

More information about the Law Office of Marc Scolnick can be found by visiting the website.

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.

The City of Akron announced today that Kenmore Boulevard will soon be home to a new sit-down restaurant and tea house as part of the inaugural round of the Rubber City Match program.

SRINA Tea House plans to open its doors at 975 Kenmore Blvd. later this summer.

The venue will serve organic teas, coffee and health-conscious food made with ingredients produced on their small-scale farm in Sri Lanka and prepared by Akron’s own Chef Glenn (Edgars Restaurant). SRINA’s addition will create a destination for tea lovers along Kenmore Boulevard, joining ManiKitchen Tea Shop, which offers loose leaf teas and tea-related products for retail sale.

SRINA owner and CEO Monaqui Porter Young sees the tea house as a wellness destination for the community. It will offer health workshops, special events and opportunities for neighborhood engagement with organizations like Kenmore-Garfield High School, First Glance and seniors at the Kenmore Community Center.

“At SRINA Tea house, we are doing something beyond the cup of tea. We are building culture and community,” Porter Young said. “We believe in warmth, authenticity, kindness, positivity and passion.”

SRINA Tea House is the ninth new business to announce its plans to open on Kenmore Boulevard since 2020. It joins Gypsy Grace & the Vintage Goat as one of the Rubber City Match’s first cash award recipients. Each is receiving a business loan from local lending partners Western Reserve Community Fund and ECDI, as well as a grant from the City of Akron to complete their projects.

“The purpose of Rubber City Match is to provide funding to businesses who may not have access to traditional financing,” says Heather Roszczyk, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Advocate for the City of Akron. “The businesses receive support and guidance throughout the process, and as a result, the participating building owners are being connected to vetted tenants who are more likely to succeed.”

Applications are still open for the second round of Rubber City Match, but the deadline to submit is June 30, 2021. Rubber City Match pairs new and expanding businesses with Akron’s top real estate opportunities, providing funding and technical assistance along the way. Grants will be available through the program, in addition to business-friendly loans that will assist with launching businesses, renovations or other related expenses.

The program features four award levels for business and building owners:

• Business Plan Award: Free tuition to attend MORTAR at Bounce, sharpen your business skills and develop your business plan. MORTAR is a 15-week accelerator course that helps both existing and aspiring non-tech entrepreneurs learn the nuances of business ownership and build a comprehensive business canvas; the goal being to launch businesses that create jobs and circulate dollars locally. The program focuses on entrepreneurs who are often under-served.

• Space Award: Get matched with the right space for your business, receive technical assistance to help you choose your space and be eligible for microgrants to have attorneys review your lease documents

• Design Award: Meet with architects and be eligible to receive grants to pay for architectural drawings for the build-out of your new space

• Cash Award: Meet with lenders who focus on supporting small businesses. If there is a gap between what the business owner can put into the project and what the lenders are willing to lend, business owners are eligible to receive grants from the City to fill the financial gap.

Competing businesses will be scored on five criteria: Vision and Plan, Experience and Capacity, Market Opportunity, Community Support and Leverage of Investment. Winning businesses must agree to locate within the City of Akron for at least two years and demonstrate a benefit to the community.

To apply for Rubber City Match visit rubbercitymatch.com and for more information call 330-375-2133.

by Charlee Harris

On Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 1 p.m Kenmore native Terrence Bailey will fulfill a lifelong dream by opening Ethicrace Clothing Co. at 971 Kenmore Blvd

“Ever since I was a little boy I have always wanted to own my own clothing brand,” Bailey said. He credits his “entrepreneurial mind” for helping him “create his own lane.”

“I have always wanted to be rich, never famous,” said Bailey.

As the director of the Kenmore Youth Basketball League, he is very proud that he was able to open the store despite various challenges. Being an example for young people to find their own lane in the community is very important to Terrence. As a child, his mother motivated him to start his own business.

“She looked at me and said that she was proud of me,” Bailey said. “I stuck to my guns and kept pushing when I wanted to give up so many times, when I doubted myself but still had the faith of a mustard seed.”

Ethicrace Clothing Co will officially open to the public on Saturday the 29th on Kenmore Boulevard. Being a Kenmore resident for 20 years, Bailey wants to help revitalize the neighborhood.

“I chose this location because I see there is an uplifting and thriving community here in Kenmore and it needed a little light shone on it” said Bailey.

Terrance believes in the future of the Boulevard and hopes that it can continue to thrive for years to come.

“My vision in the next 10 years is to be still thriving, and the Blvd to be full of life and a place where family, friends and people from all over the country come visit,” Bailey said.

Ethicrace Clothing Co specializes in t-shirts, hats, hoodies, jogging suits, shorts, jackets, belts and accessories. The most popular items are the jogging suits and short sets. Prices vary but are affordable.

Ethicrace Clothing Co. is located at 971 Kenmore Blvd. and is open Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday noon to 5:30 p.m. For styles and more information, visit them on Facebook or www.ethicrace.com. .

Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance is seeking proposals to design, construct and install elements of their Kenmore Boulevard Wayfinding Plan. The goal of the plan is to create a sense of place in the Kenmore Boulevard Historic District, connect the district to amenities throughout Kenmore and and adjacent areas, and provide wayfinding for visitors into and throughout the district. It was developed earlier this year by Environmental Design Group with input from a committee of Kenmore residents, business owners and stakeholders.

The Kenmore Boulevard Historic District was added to the registry of historic places by the National Park Service in September 2019. It includes Kenmore Boulevard from 11th St. to Florida Ave.

“Kenmore is a fun, creative place with a lot of history,” said Tina Boyes, executive director of the Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance. “We believe the signage you see on the Boulevard should reflect this.”

Elements of the Kenmore Boulevard Wayfinding Plan and an RFP can be found here.

Responses are due on or before 5 p.m. June 4, 2021.