INSIDE AKRON: Akron Documenters are fanning out across the city’s 24 neighborhoods to elevate places, faces, voices and vibes — as shared by the people who live there. Expect a new profile every day through October.
At just over a square mile in size, Downtown Akron is best known as the government and business center of the city. Major companies such as Huntington Bank, GOJO and Akron Children’s Hospital stamp a sizeable footprint alongside Akron City and Summit County government offices. And, alongside the offices and industry in this area, nearly 3,000 people call this neighborhood home.
Sarah McBride, who grew up in the Akron area and recently moved back from Florida, picked this neighborhood because of the variety of things to do and its proximity to her work in the Northside Marketplace. She continues to learn about the neighborhood’s unique features, from, including the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway to the Akron Civic Theatre.
Akron Documenter LeKesha Parkman is the primary contributor for this story. She is a Highland Square resident and has been a Documenter since September 2024. Learn more about Documenters including how to join.
To help attract residents like Sarah, city officials are focused on developing Downtown as a residential and commercial destination. A year ago, local developer Joel Testa announced plans to turn the former Cascade Plaza Hotel into 137 apartments.
And this year started with news of the creation of the Downtown Akron Development Corporation, thanks to financial support from 17 organizations. The group’s top priorities: increase residential opportunities and develop more retail options.
Akron Documenter LeKesha Parkman talked with a Downtown Akron resident and a business owner about their lives, loves and what they want from and experience in their neighborhood. Here’s what she found.
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE: SARAH MCBRIDE
What’s something most people don’t know about Downtown Akron that you think they should?
“We have a lot of options for everyone,” Sarah said, referring to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which has a station behind Northside Market in downtown Akron. “There is a lot to do, and just like this train ride back here; I never even knew about until I moved here, and you can get on and go see the scenic views in Akron.”
Sarah also talked about the proximity to parks and lots of food choices: “There’s pretty much anything you could want.”
What is missing from your neighborhood?
“More gatherings, like events.” she said. She said that Downtown has a lot of space to host things. “The small towns they have something every Friday where there’s food, there’s games, there’s different stuff. That would be really good.”
How do you typically spend your weekends or free time in Downtown Akron?
“So, weekends I usually work in the mornings, and then I will go downtown, where Buffalo Wild Wings are; you can walk around that area and there’s plenty of options to pick from.”
She also said she likes going to the RubberDucks baseball games on Main Street. And despite growing up in Akron, she has just recently discovered the Akron Civic Theatre. “I never experienced it until last year. And it’s such a cute little theater.”
SMALL BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE:
Da’Shika Street is the owner of Street Craftery (356 S. Main St.).This shop is “Ohio’s only Candle + Canvas Bar” in Downtown Akron. It’s a group setting for people to learn and enjoy candle-making and painting.
Tell me about the purpose of your business or nonprofit? What do you do every day?
“I wanted to create a place where all people from all backgrounds, all walks of life, could come together and be on neutral ground at the art table,” D’Shika said about her downtown store that she runs with her husband.
“I feel like it’s a space where no matter how talented you are or perceive yourself to be, everybody’s vulnerable when they’re creating art. And taking those vulnerable moments and putting people together creates a space where it’s neutral, and we can see eye-to-eye and have this understanding of one another, no matter what our differences might be.”
How does your organization fit into or support the Downtown Akron neighborhood?
“Various downtowns, not just our own, are struggling to get people to stay centralized, to keep the money in the city, especially in the heart of the city, and then filter out from there,” Da’Shika said.
For her, Street Craftery is a place for people to get creative together — and while they wait for candles to cure (about 90 minutes), they can explore other downtown spaces.
“We’re telling them restaurants to go to,” she said. “We’re telling them to pop by the museum, go get a cookie from Sweet Mary’s. There’s a show at Lock 3. Those sorts of things. So it’s helping keep that money in the city longer, keep the activation and the people in the city longer.”
What’s the most important or interesting thing about the neighborhood?
Da’Shika, who started Street Craftery during the COVID-19 pandemic and moved into her current space earlier this year, was drawn to the arts and culture “synergy” of Downtown Akron.
“We’re right around the corner from the Akron Art Museum, Summit Art Space, some of the great music venues, and even things like gathering points like the library and the comic book shop and things like that. So I think being more entrenched in an area where people are excited to get creative and are excited to explore things that might be new or interesting in the city.”
What’s missing from Downtown Akron or what’s the biggest need in the neighborhood?
Da’Shika likes the idea of neighborhood discount cards and a holiday market block party on Mill Street that could be connected to the John. S. Knight Center.
“You make a candle with us and go buy a cookie at Sweet Mary’s and go have a dinner at El Patron, where, you know, just showing your candle receipt gets you some kind of bonus points at those other places,” Da’Shika said, admitting that she’s so new that she’s not sure if these ideas already exist.
What else do you want to say about your organization and or the neighborhood?
“We started our business in downtown three years ago, and when we were looking to move, it was still very important to us that we stay in the heart of the city, that we not only be a representation of a female-owned business in the city of Akron, but a Black, female-owned business in the city of Akron, but also resilience,” she said about the challenges that small business owners face in the current economic climate.
“We hope that we would continue to serve as a place where people, no matter their background, would feel comfortable coming, asking questions, learning, growing, and that we can do this thing together for many years to come.
What do you hope people walk away with beyond just crafts that they create after spending time here?
“The therapy part is very, very big to me. I really hope that people walk away feeling a sense of peace and a sense of confidence,” she said.
Finally, Da’Shika stressed the need to support small businesses.
“Before going out and shopping at big box stores and things like that,look at the small business resources around you and see if there are opportunities to collaborate, if there’s opportunities to shop their stores, to order their products, to promote their business by spreading the word among your friends, colleagues, and so forth, because it really does go a long way, and we need it.”
A PLACE FOR EVERYBODY
The Northside Marketplace is an “urban market with a focus on social interaction” and includes spaces for dozens of local entrepreneurs and artisans. It’s also home to NOMZ, an eatery, coffee bar & full liquor bar that anchors the Northside District’s “artisan alley.” Originally started in 2018 by Testa Companies, Justin Lepley took over as manager in 2022. Lepley owns plant and florist shop, Lepley & Co., one of the largest shops in the marketplace.
