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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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!
Chris Bentley said he’s found a great new spot to continue the legacy of Buzzbin in Akron’s Kenmore neighborhood.
After a roughly 12-year run under two different owners, Buzzbin closed in late June in downtown Canton. Chris Bentley and his wife Julia had owned and operated the club since 2019.
“It’s going to be the same thing,” Chris Bentley said of the venue at 952 Kenmore Blvd. “I’m going to make it as cool as (Buzzbin in Canton) was.”
Life after Buzzbin in downtown Canton: Club leaves void in music scene, others rock on
Buzzbin in Kenmore will continue to focus on music, art and concertgoers, the couple said.
“When you’re at a show, it’s like a symbiotic relationship,” Julia Bentley said. “It’s more fun the more people that are in the crowd watching the band because everyone feeds off of each other … the crowd and the band that’s playing.
“… It can be inspiring to make somebody else want to try music … or art.”
The couple cited multiple factors for the end of Buzzbin Art & Music Shop in Canton: Repairs needed for the building they rented at 331 Cleveland Ave. NW. The cost of rent. And business never returned to pre-COVID levels despite many loyal, passionate fans and customers.
After failing to find another location in Canton or elsewhere in Stark County, Chris Bentley said a musician in the Kenmore scene reached out, and they were soon welcomed enthusiastically into the community, including by The Rialto Theatre, where Buzzbin held rock shows until their nearby space was ready.
“They understood what we’re trying to do together and work together,” said Julia Bentley, noting that Buzzbin leans more toward punk and metal shows while The Rialto, 1000 Kenmore Blvd., is more indie rock oriented.
The Rialto Theatre will be holding the Kenmore Winter Break Music Festival! at 6 p.m. on Dec. 2 and 3, featuring 12 bands and solo performers.
The Bentleys also praised the Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance for its support and help with establishing the new Buzzbin.
Buzzbin owners say downtown Canton groups didn’t support club enough
The Bentleys said another factor in their decision to close Buzzbin in Canton was a lack of support from some downtown entities like ArtsinStark, Visit Canton and those in charge of booking music acts at Centennial Plaza. Julia Bentley said she would have liked more partnering from those entities, as well as social media mentions and promotional help.
She said there was “no reciprocal interest or support.” An exception was a Buzzbin show featuring musicians from the Canton Symphony Orchestra, which she said was “amazing.”
The couple said sometimes they felt like outcasts with those organizations.
David Whitehill, president and CEO of ArtsinStark, said the agency’s focus is two-fold: operating the Cultural Center for the Arts and supporting nonprofit arts organizations throughout Stark County.
Over the years, he said, as funds have been available, ArtsinStark “has offered and committed to supporting some for-profit arts and creative businesses that are pivotal to the economic vibrancy of a municipality.”
Whitehill said that Buzzbin “certainly fell into this category for downtown Canton,” and ArtsinStark provided financial support to Buzzbin in a number of ways before the pandemic.
However, funding for the arts has dropped sharply since 2020, and “we find that the Stark County nonprofits are more in need of our support than any time in recent history,” Whitehill said.
Visit Canton serves as the Stark County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau.
Allyson Bussey, president and CEO, said the organization’s “primary focus is attracting people from outside of Stark County to the region to generate economic impact through visitor spending.”
She added that while “certainly live music across the region can be part of that attraction … with abundant entertainment and special events throughout our communities, it is imperative that artists and business owners are active and strategic in marketing their events to be successful.”
Bussey said Visit Canton also offers a vast array of free marketing tools for any tourism event or venue that is “looking to promote themselves to visitors and local residents alike.”
Soul Asylum concert was proposed for Centennial Plaza
Chris Bentley said he also wanted to book Soul Asylum and other rock bands at Centennial Plaza.
He said he was approached by a representative for Soul Asylum, an alternative rock band that achieved mainstream chart success in the 1990s.
Buzzbin, however, would have been too small a venue. So Chris Bentley said he approached Patrick Wyatt about Soul Asylum performing at Centennial Plaza in downtown Canton. Wyatt handles event booking for the outdoor venue as the operations manager and an employee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which has partnered on the space with the city of Canton.
Chris Bentley said talks didn’t progress despite his interest.
“I thought it had the potential to have some really cool shows,” he said of Centennial Plaza.
Wyatt said he met with the Bentleys to discuss the process of renting the plaza for events and their ideas regarding booking bands.
“Some of the challenges discussed were the limitations (with) the open plaza being a ticketed event and Jerzee’s contract for food and alcohol sales on the plaza,” Wyatt said.
The new Buzzbin is rocking in Kenmore
Chris and Julia Bentley, however, said they are now leaving those issues behind while embracing the fresh start in Akron.
“There’s no competition from anybody up there,” Chris Bentley said of Kenmore. “And everybody was just like extremely accommodating and welcoming.”
Buzzbin is not fully open yet and has been holding concerts periodically while awaiting approval for a liquor permit. The club holds about 100 people and is slightly smaller than the former Canton location, Bentley said.
“The goal is in the future to build a stage outside like we had (in Canton) … and then we’ll be able to have shows outside,” he said. Bentley said he hopes the outdoor space will be open in the summer.
More shows are planned for the remainder of the year. The club’s motto continues to be: “Where Loud Lives.”
Buzzbin is having a “Black Friday Birthday Bash” Friday night in Kenmore featuring The Most Beautiful Losers, Rodeo Boys and The Cult Ov Crowley. Doors open at 7 p.m. and shows start at 9 p.m.
Upcoming shows include a Dec. 2 lineup starting at 6 p.m. and featuring Chum Lord, Missile Toe and Rubber City Ukes. Part of the “Light the BLVD” event in Kenmore, “Frost Fest” is described as a “Christmas Punk Rawk Extravaganza.” A Dec. 3 show starts at 8 p.m. and includes Night Goat, Bwak Dwagon and The Liquid W’s. Admission to the all ages show is $5.
‘You get a sense of belonging and acceptance’
The Bentleys said they want to remain connected with Canton. The couple continues to operate Frankenstein Records and Heart Shaped Box Whiskey Bar in the 300 block of Cleveland Avenue NW next to the former Buzzbin.
Buzzbin plans to offer shuttle-style rides in a wheel chair-accessible van to take Canton residents to the Kenmore club. The couple has started the rides informally with hopes of making the service more formal and frequent in the future.
Art will also be part of the experience at the new Buzzbin, Julia Bentley said. Art nights and events will be scheduled.
“I feel art and music are very therapeutic,” she said.
“You get a sense of belonging and acceptance in the music and art scene that we kind of offer here.”
AKRON, Ohio — We have no shortage of amazing nooks and crannies scattered across Northeast Ohio. Those businesses and attractions helping create community and drive growth. Some have been in place for decades, others are new to the scene.
The holidays are all about giving – and the best gift you can give your favorite local businesses is your support. Get down to Kenmore Blvd. on November 26 and shop small this Small Business Saturday!
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, non-sport cards, models, collectables and more!
Stop by and shop the sale items at Kenmore Komics & Games this Small Business Saturday!
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.
The Guitar Department is offering 10% off any new instrument or amplifier in the store during Small Business Saturday.
Whether you’re looking to shop some amazing local artisans, pick up paint supplies to start or finish a home project, or grab a one-of-a-kind hand-painted piece of vintage furniture and home décor, Marigold Sol is here to provide a truly unique shopping experience.
Spend $40 at Marigold Sol on Small Business Saturday and get 10% off your purchase and a complimentary zipper pouch (while supplies last).
Kenmore clothier Ethicrace Clothing Co.’s exclusive fall/winter men’s and women’s jogging suits are in stock and in season! Stop by Ethicrace on Small Business Saturday and shop their selection of hats, hoodies, jogging suits, shorts, socks jackets, belts, shirts and accessories!
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.
Stop by Just A Dad From Akron during Small Business Saturday and shop their two-for-$30 t-shirt sale!
1000 Kenmore Blvd. (Located inside The Rialto Theatre)
Small Business Saturday Hours: 11am – 4pm
Paninoteca – Kenmore’s newest eatery – will celebrate it’s grand opening during Small Business Saturday. Located within The Rialto Living Room, Paninoteca serves soup, sandwiches, appetizers, and beverages (including a homemade chai latte).
Take a break from shopping and stop in to Paninoteca to try free samples, grab lunch, watch the game, and welcome them to the Blvd!
Small Business Saturday Hours: 11am – 4pm & 7 – 11pm
The Rialto Theatre – one of the premier live music venues in the region – is now offering gift certificates in any amount $10 or more. Stop by during Small Business Saturday and give the gift of music to the concert lover in your life!
There is just something about a really great sandwich. Even the bad ones are good. But an exceptional sandwich is special. It’s greater than the sum of its parts. It’s magical.
This is something that Michael McElroy innately understands. McElroy is the owner and creative mind behind Paninoteca, Kenmore’s newest eatery.
Nestled in the front room of the Rialto Theatre, Paninoteca boasts a menu of mouthwatering sandwiches designed by McElroy.
“The secret to a good sandwich is quality bread and fresh ingredients,” he reveals during a recent phone interview. “I try to keep it local. I go shopping every day for the items I use. You have to have tomatoes that are ripe. I use meats that are cut daily with no nitrates or MSG. I spend the extra money for good stuff.”
Good ingredients alone, however, aren’t quite enough. McElroy offers two extras that make his food exceptional: experience and passion.
The Canton native has traveled the world. His work as a photographer has taken him from Cuba and Mexico to Italy and India. He has encountered firsthand what different pockets of the world have to offer in a culinary sense and distilled that information through his sensibility and taste.
But then there is the passion. That part can’t be bought or faked. Whether he is talking about his devotion to social and environmental issues or his vision for the Boulevard District, passion seeps from him. And that, like with any talented artist, will show up in their work. In his case, the food.
And speaking of the Boulevard District, why Kenmore?
“It was just a whim,” McElroy recalled. A conversation with his editor in New York led him back to Ohio, where he found a building for rent in Kenmore. Sometime during the Pandemic, he decided that he wanted to open an eatery. The nearby Rialto just happened to have a small kitchen space available. The rest, as they say, is history.
Though it’s been open for the last month, Paninoteca has its grand opening on November 26 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Featuring samples off the menu (sandwiches, soups and a heralded homemade chai latte), the official launch might be your first visit to Paninoteca, but it assuredly will not be your last.
Paninoteca is located in The Rialto Living Room at 1000 Kenmore Blvd. It is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. To place a to-go order, call 330-510-1486. For more details, look for Paninoteca Akron on Facebook or follow them on Instagram @Paninoteca_Akron.
Last December, the Rialto Theatre and The Summit FM invited Akron’s music fans and concert lovers out of hibernation for a brand new festival called “Kenmore Winter Break.”
“Akron loves music and residents spend all summer going to outdoor festivals,” explained Rialto Theatre co-owner Seth Vaill. “Once October rolls around the outdoor music festivals and events all stop for the year so we thought why not bring those kinds of festivals indoors during a cold weather month when people are ready for a live music fix.”
The second annual Kenmore Winter Break will take place on Friday, December 2, and Saturday, December 3, and brings 12 bands and solo performers to the Rialto Theatre & Living Room stages.
Two of Akron’s most beloved bands were selected to headline each night of the event – punk/rock quartet Detention on Friday and rock/pop/indie band Big Pop on Saturday.
Sharing the Rialto Theatre stage with Detention and Big Pop are local hip-hop legend Floco Torres – who will be joined by Akron guitar hero Dave Rich (The Beyonderers, Houseguest), dad rockers Glenn Lazear, EarthQuaker Devices staff band Nervous Future, and Cleveland alt rockers LILIEAE.
The event also features six of Northeast Ohio’s best known solo performers in the Rialto Living Room, which is also home to Paninoteca – Kenmore’s newest eatery.
“The 330 area has so much lifeblood of music and culture,” said Brad Savage, Program Director for The Summit FM. “Our radio station supports independent and emerging hometown artists and is proud to have all this great music in our backyard. Kenmore Winter Break is a great way to showcase some of it heading into the Holiday season!”
“Kenmore Winter Break was such a great time last year and we are thrilled that the Rialto is hosting it for a second year,” said musician and Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance Promoter & Experience Manager Corey Jenkins, adding “as a musician it’s a lot of fun to play, and as someone who loves catching live music on Kenmore Blvd. it’s something I am excited to attend.”
Performances begin at 6 p.m. both nights and run non-stop until the last band of the evening hits its final note in the theatre around 11 p.m. or so.
The Kenmore Winter Break Music Festival sponsors include Akron-based manufacturers SIT Strings and EarthQuaker Devices, as well as Kenmore guitar destinations The Guitar Department and Lay’s Guitar Shop, and Dave Burdge Recording – an Akron-based video production company. One hundred percent of sponsor contributions go toward paying the musicians performing during Kenmore Winter Break.
Single night tickets for Kenmore Winter Break are $15 and weekend passes are $25 and are available now at therialtotheatre.com.
What began as a way to spread joy to Kenmore residents during the COVID-19 pandemic has quickly become a holiday tradition.
On Friday, December 2 from 6 to 9 p.m., Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance and the Kenmore Boulevard business will host the third-annual Light the BLVD event, featuring dozens of freshly decorated storefronts, live music, a fully lit median and holiday activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Kenmore’s newest live music venue, Buzzbin Art Music & Shop, will host a holiday singalong with Rubber City Ukes and “the world’s greatest Christmas band” Missile Toe. In addition, the Rialto Theatre will host night one of its second-annual Kenmore Winter Break Music Festival. Other musicians will perform in select shops, and Santa Claus will be on hand for pictures and to spread some holiday cheer to families.
“This is a great opportunity for the community to come together, get in the spirit and support our local businesses,” said Tina Boyes, executive director of Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance.
Throughout the season, you’ll be able to vote for your favorite decorated storefront on Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance’s Facebook page @kenmoreohio. The decorator of the most loved window will be awarded a $100 gift certificate to their favorite Kenmore Boulevard business.
Light the BLVD artists, specials and locations will be added as they are confirmed at betterkenmore.org/events.
