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.
Correction: Happy Tails Thrift Shop and Himelright Lodge were spelled incorrectly in an earlier version of this story.
Welcome to Merriman Valley — although Akronites simply call it “The Valley.” It’s famously the gateway to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, as well as the city’s connector to some of the most beautiful natural sites in the region. Also, as Akron’s northernmost neighborhood, it takes drivers to Cuyahoga Falls.
The commercial center of the neighborhood is along Merriman Road and North Portage Path and features local hangouts such as Noisy Oyster Pub, Portal West Coffee, Michael’s AM, Valley Cafe and Merchant Tavern. Other businesses include Second Sole, a specialty running store, Happy Tails Thrift Shop, and Cousin’s Cigars.
Akron Documenter Michelle DeShon is the primary contributor for this story. She is a Cuyahoga Falls resident and has been a Documenter since August 2024. Learn more about Documenters including how to join.
More than 7,500 people live in the 4.6-square mile neighborhood as of 2024. Transformation, though, is on the way with Akron City Council approving zoning code changes that thread the needle between nature preservation on the outskirts and commerce, with more mixed-use buildings in the commercial districts.
One of the neighborhood’s key landmarks for the last quarter century has been a massive bronze statue of a Native American man holding a canoe over his head as he stands on the bank near a bend in the Cuyahoga River. The renowned Onondaga artist, Peter B. Jones, regularly returns to the site for North American First People’s Day.
With Akron’s urban center to its southeast and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to the northwest, people who live and work in Merriman Valley appreciate its location, as well as the diversity and the friendliness of the people.
Akron Documenter Michelle DeShon talked with Merriman Valley residents and business owners about what it’s like to live and work in Akron’s ‘gateway’ neighborhood. Here’s what she found.
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE: Mary DeSaussure
For the past year, Mary has lived with her husband and their two dogs at The Villages at Sycamore, a community of townhomes off Akron-Penninsula Road, along the Akron-Cuyahoga Falls border. Townhomes sit on land that used to be the Sycamore Valley Golf Course where years ago Mary and her husband enjoyed one of their first dates.
What is the most interesting thing about Merriman Valley?
The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a huge draw, she said. “I hike there constantly.”
What is missing from your neighborhood?
She said she can’t think of anything that’s missing, saying that it’s a nice place to live; the people are nice.
Where is the Merriman Valley neighborhood in Akron?
The Merriman Valley neighborhood sits north of Highland Square and Cascade Valley and is the home of the popular Cascade Valley Metro Park. The historic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail offers a scenic tour of the area as well, making the neighborhood a popular destination for hiking and biking.
How has Merriman Valley changed over the time you’ve lived here?
“I think the biggest change I’ve seen in a year is just people are kind of upgrading their properties,” she said. “People seem to be invested in the neighborhood.” It makes people want to stick around, she added.
What’s the biggest challenge facing your neighborhood and how do you think it can be solved?
Mary said that being part of a homeowners association is good and bad for the townhome community. To change or upgrade to properties, owners must get permission from the HOA board. She said this is her first time being part of an HOA, with regulations she must follow.
“I don’t really know how it could be better,” she said, “and I understand why we have them.”
What else do you want people to know about Merriman Valley?
She said there are people of all ages in the community, including older adults and families with young children.
“I like the diversity of the neighborhood,” Mary said. “I like just learning about different people.”
Small Business Perspective
Michaels AM, 1562 Akron Peninsula Rd.
Robert Wimley, general manager
Tell me about the purpose of your business or nonprofit?
Robert said Michaels AM is a classic diner in Merriman Valley that has served up classic breakfast in a comfortable setting for about 40 years. Robert started as a cook about four and a half years ago, working his way up to manager before his current role. Current owner Gary Porto purchased the restaurant in 2015.
“We try to keep most of our items made in house and as organic as possible,” Robert said.
The eatery works with local vendors — including Duma Meats Inc, a butcher out of Mogadore. That’s where Robert’s diner gets its breakfast meats. Its morning joe is sourced from Pearl Coffee Company of Akron.
“We try not to buy a lot of things frozen and prepackaged,” Robert said adding that they make a items in-house. “We bread our own chicken, we brine our own chicken, we don’t add anything to our eggs … no pancake mix.”
How does your organization fit into or support Merriman Valley?
He said the restaurant stands out as one of the neighborhood’s breakfast staples: “I try to make sure we do our part in supporting our community, because the community is who makes us, right?”
What’s the most important or interesting thing about your neighborhood?
“This is a very demographically diverse neighborhood. I think that is amazing, because you see people from all different walks of life here.”
His customer base ranges from newbies from new housing developments to customers from surrounding neighborhoods.
“I would probably say 80% of our sales are from repeat customers. So I love our new customers, but our regular customers are our foundation,” he said. “I can name 20 different customers I see on a daily basis. They’re great. They’re like family.”
What’s missing from the Merriman Valley or what’s the biggest need in the neighborhood?
He said the biggest need in Akron in general is more barbecue or Southern food. In Merriman Valley,he thinks the biggest need is commercial modernization.
What else do you want to say about your organization and or the neighborhood?
Michaels AM, along with other area businesses, were impacted last August by flooding. The restaurant closed for about 10 days to remove the carpet and redo the floors. During that time, restaurants and businesses were very supportive of each other.
Robert said his restaurant staff is very loyal — some of them have worked there for two decades: “We’ve been blessed to not have to hire a lot of people.”
What dish are you known for here?
Robert said they are most known for their stuffed French toast, stuffed crepes, stuffed waffles that “people go crazy over.” Most recently, he said, the shrimp and grits have become a foodie favorite.
A place for everybody
Cascade Valley Metro Park’s eight trails criss-cross Merriman Valley and other nearby neighborhoods. It exists today on land that used to be industrial — factories, mills, rail yards, etc. The Valley View area is the newest addition, added in 2016. It “has undergone extensive restoration efforts to return the former golf course to nature. Where only 100 species called the golf course home, nearly 1,000 species of plant and wildlife now thrive in this restored space,” according to the park.
