Readers turn back the clock, share their favorite memories of Akron’s Quaker Square

Signal Akron readers shared more than 120 of their favorite recollections of the Quaker Square complex.

Here’s a sampling, organized loosely around some of the most common themes like working in the complex, the oatmeal cookies baked (and eaten) there, trains, round rooms, shopping and restaurants, among others.

We’ve edited lightly for grammar, length and clarity.

Oatmeal cookies and the smell of roasting oats 

When I was a kid, my family went to the Universalist Church across the street from the Quaker plant. I remember so well and can still smell the oats roasting when we went downtown for church. That was the first thing that came to mind when I saw your article. It overpowered the rubber smell.

— F.B.

I remember walking there once a week with my mom to walk around the shops and get hot oatmeal cookies. I’m guessing that was the mid- to late-’70s. I also remember visiting and talking for hours with the people that ran the model train display. Then doing the same with my wife in the ‘80’s up until it closed.

— L. W. C.

The train displays and dining in train cars

I think of when my son was little and our many visits to the Thomas the Train shop (along with tons of money spent on Thomas-related toys and paraphernalia), the huge model train exhibit which kids could run.

Our visits ALWAYS ended with a warm oatmeal cookie from the little bakery and restaurant inside the Quaker retail complex.

— G.M.

I have two memories. The first: We would always get dressed up and see the Christmas trees at Christmas. Second: We would always go eat in the train car. I loved the choo choo wheels pasta. I miss that place — I would love to share that with my daughter.

— C.B.

The LBG train display was spectacular! I would marvel at all the different areas of the display and wish my LGB train collection was even close to that. When things shut down, I saw a couple of those LGB train cars were being sold off so I bought the “Circus Car.”

Every year I set up my LGB train around the Christmas tree and every year when I look at that car I bought, I think of that spectacular display. That Circus Car is available today online but knowing the one I have was once part of the Quaker Square display makes it 100 times more valuable.

P.S. That was 1977.

— J.D.

So for many years I ran the trains above the REA (Depot Restaurant) and one night, after several derailments, me and a friend stayed over after everything closed to do work on the track. As I began working on replacing a section of track in the Amish village on the layout (the first thing you come to at the top of the steps below the tower upstairs), a young woman with short black hair in her mid-30s came up, stopped, and watched me through the glass working.

Thinking she was a customer, I smiled and continued working. She made no expression and her eyes were solid black, which struck me, but I shrugged it off. I watched as she walked down the room looking at the areas like the circus and ski area, etc., etc. As she started down the stairs that led to the platform area in front of the actual steam engine that sat outside I realized it was 2 a.m. and there was no way she was a customer. I jumped the glass and chased her down the stairs only to see the door close. 

When I opened it and stepped outside she was nowhere to be seen. There were no cars in the lot, no one anywhere. My friend was standing at the end of the platform waiting for me as he needed a ride home. When I asked where the lady was he stated there was no lady anywhere nor had he seen anyone for the last 4 hours we were there working. True story. Working there after hours we heard many things, but that is an event in memory I’ll never forget.

— R.W.

I have many memories at Quaker Square growing up. My mom would take my brothers and me down to see the huge model train display out back at the platform. It used to be the restaurant on the first floor and upstairs was the train display.

That was just amazing to us as kids. Then we would go play on the real train parked at the platform outside the building. We would always order “Choo-choo wheels pasta” to fill our bellies, then walk around the factory. We must have done this hundreds of times. Slowly, over the years, it got smaller and they moved things around. I remember when they added the hotel. I’m glad I had the chance to take my kids a handful of times before it closed. It will be nice to go again but never be the same.

— J.H. Sr.

Shopping, shopping and more shopping

In the 1970s, Quaker Square was a shopping mall with galleries and the coolest shops. My mom worked at the Pewtery, and it was a real treat when I’d get to go with her. I loved it when my mom would let my sister and me explore the shops and halls of Quaker Square. It was always an adventure.

I remember there being a comic book store and a leather store that I think was called The Tannery. The shop my mom worked in was next to a rubber stamp store, and I remember there being a narrow window between the Pewtery and the rubber stamp shop. The guys who ran it would make me laugh, making funny faces through the windows when business was slow.

Turns out, one of those guys was Mark Mothersbaugh, who we all would come to know as one of the founders of Devo!

— N.B.

I remember as a kid going there with my mom to get fresh-baked, hot-out-of-the oven oatmeal cookies at one of the shops. Then I remember going to Barnhills, which was an old-fashioned ice cream shop restaurant. Then downstairs, they had the country bar when I got older. Good times growing up. 

— T.F.

Gary and I opened our stores at Quaker Square as 22 and 24 year olds. Candles and Collectibles and Sherwood Florist and the Christmas Shop were all of our endeavors for the 23 years we were there. We came in six months after Quaker opened and built that business over the years, primarily just the two of us and a couple of loyal associates to help us while we were having children and raising them.

Open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, except Sunday until 9 p.m., meant one of us had to always cover the hours. Funny when you are young you don’t notice how hectic your lives become, but there was always something that needed to be ordered, unpacked and displayed or moved. Business was great for most of those years, and then we saw it drop off in the ‘90s, so we made a new plan and prepared to close a business that had seen us through so many phases of life. We have pictures and memories, but it’s still a melancholic feeling when we look back. So exciting and new, so proud and loved, like part of the family. We miss it. Went there a couple years ago for an art installation. It brought back so many memories and people who were instrumental in our successes and failures. It was good to see our old friend Quaker again!

— C. and G. S.

To eat in the train. Best toy store. Shoe store where I bought my moccasins and shoes. I wore them so much I finally had to throw them away a few years ago.

— M.K.

My wife and I were going to a wedding. She needed a new dress. We went to Quaker Square to a designer dress shop and found a beautiful black and white dress. I still remember that dress because my wife looked absolutely stunning in it.

— W.Z.

I remember the perfumery in the shop area, the wonderful scents and beautiful bottles to put on a table! It was my go to for self care. And of course eating the oatmeal cookie on the way out of the building. QS was a really fun place to relax and hang out.

— K.R.

So many memories. Lunches and visiting at Christmas, staying over after work events and holiday parties. I worked for a local travel company and we were there a lot. My favorite, though, is when my parents brought me over in high school and bought me my Frye boots, which I still have. The shops were amazing. Such a beautiful, unique building. I’m happy to hear it’s being saved and hopefully restored thoughtfully.

— J.H.

As a Gen-Xer who grew up in the Akron area, I have a multitude of memories from Quaker Square. It was one of the main places I visited for fun. I loved choosing a comic book and fluorescent pens from the newsstand. The smell of the oatmeal cookies with one raisin in the middle. My set of keys still holds the ballet slippers keychain that I received from Touch of Brass.

It was always a blast to browse the Brio Trains and Madame Alexander Dolls at The Little Red Wagon. Exactly one time, I got my picture taken in sepia tones wearing Southern belle clothing.

One of the best aspects of Quaker Square was the charming creak of the wooden stairs and floors. My very favorite store was JK Trading, and of course dining at the Depot was always a treat.

The final memory I will leave you with is this: I could swear that there was a Laffing Sal animatronic or a similar creepy figure sitting in the rafters above the stairs in the lobby area. This memory causes me to doubt my recall, but for now, I stand by it. Thank you for this opportunity to reminisce! I hope the new owners make something wonderful of the space; it still hurts that I was never able to visit with my own children.

— A.S.

Myriad memories

• I moved to Memphis for three years in 2006. My last night in town I stayed in one of the round rooms for the experience. It was OK.

• I liked going through the stores in the early days. The place was like a maze. You would go up some stairs and around the corner and you would find more stores. That was fun for explorers, but probably not good for them getting foot traffic.

• The place was packed when successful. I remember having to park in the overflow parking on the other side of Mill Street and walk under the Mill Street bridge.

• I remember an Aunt Jemima ad display in one of the nooks of the store section. It’s been decades, but what uncomfortably stuck with me was that they portrayed Aunt Jemima as happily doing things for her master. When more recently they changed the brand to the Pearl River Milling Company, it made a lot of sense to me.

• Quaker Square had a store called Ferberger’s Fudge. I don’t know how they got away with that but it made for a chuckle.

— B.K.

I grew up in Akron and my family would always come to Quaker Square to shop as well as visit the restaurant with the train rolling at the top of the wall. I wish that would come back too!!
We so enjoyed spending time at the stores — all of them.

We enjoyed the restaurant downstairs. I was married in Akron and the entire wedding party stayed at the Quaker hotel and enjoyed the music downstairs. It is a place of great memories for me and I would love for others to enjoy some of the simple things that this place brought. We also used to go to breakfast with Santa when they had that in the big room in the back of the hotel. I am so glad to see this coming back!! I would love to take my grandkids to a place like this.

— J.G.

I have two distinct memories: As a young girl, my mother would take me there for an afternoon of shopping and lunch in the train car restaurant. Additionally, any visits from out-of-town relatives or friends would guarantee another great trip to Quaker Square where, if we were lucky, we could spend time at the viewing window watching pies being made from scratch.

Much later, as a college student visiting home from Ohio University in the early ‘90s, there were a few Christmas seasons that held the Akron Christmas Tree Festival — a group of us, including my significant other (now husband!) would dress up and enjoy the celebration!

Such fond memories being downtown and enjoying such a special, historical and iconic spot in Akron!

— A.C.

Shopping was a unique treat during Winter Break when young, seeing the antique displays and themes, and loved to visit any other time, especially as I got older. The shops were filled with treasures. I miss getting cherry almond tea from one. So many fun things to buy and browse.

I liked going to the various restaurants there, and the bar in the lower level during college. After I moved away, I fulfilled the goal of staying in a silo hotel room once when visiting home. As with most, the smell and taste of oatmeal cookies was a sweet rush to the senses — the best made!

I’m excited to know that this iconic place will be bought and used, but hope they retain what makes it special. Was hoping to see more pictures of different areas.

— D.O.

As a child we would walk the shops with my parents. I remember the candy store with the large round lollipops, looking at calendars in a gift shop and even a bar in the lower level. Years later we dined at the restaurant with the train car featured in the photos and my favorite was the massive train table that was there.

While waiting to be seated, I’d stand at the train table and watch those trains. Ever since, I’ve wanted a Lionel train like it. The old locomotive used to be outside also and we’d explore that as a child.

In my early 20s, I attended a Christmas party and we each had our own hotel rooms in the silo above — that was a great experience. So many wonderful heart-warming memories. Would love to see this restored and back to its glory.

— L.H.

So many! I was a child, but I remember eating in the train car. It was especially beautiful at Christmas, when they would have people decorate these elaborate trees and then auction them off for charity. There was an amazing train set. Maybe it too was in a train car? I had dreams of staying in that hotel someday. Just because. I thought the Don Drumm art was so beautiful — I am a huge fan of his. I hope that it gets reopened and restored to its previous glory. Although I live about 2 hours away, I would make it a point to come for a stay. There were expensive toy stores that had toys that you didn’t just find anywhere. But my favorite was the Christmas trees. Some of my best childhood memories were there.

— L.L.

When I was young, my grandma, mother and I used to go to Quaker Square to shop and have lunch. It was a very magical place to go. The toy shop, the train car, the expansive Don Drumm sculptures. In the big restaurant, I loved watching food come up the elevator for the waiters. Also, every year my grandpa would have a table at the Knobs Book Sale and I would stay and help him sell. It was one of my favorite places in Akron to go.

— R.R.

Born and raised in Akron, my memories of Quaker Oats is that we as youngsters used to go there and look at the train, the candy store and the history before it was a hotel. As a business man in my later years, I used to go there for dinner or lunch and/or drinks with clients. Always loved the entire downtown era. As a parent, I took my son there too. He loved the train and the model train exhibit. Kinda miss my old Akron days, late ‘60s through the ‘80s.

— F.F.

My family and I loved shopping at the stores at Quaker Square in the early ‘90s, especially the Thomas the Train store. Several years later, I was a step-on guide for the motorcoaches my sister would schedule for tours of Akron. We often had our motorcoach guests stay overnight at the hotel. Everyone enjoyed the experience of sleeping in a silo!

I intensely studied the complex’s history, including the Quaker Oats Company, Don Drumm, the conversion of the silos to hotel rooms and the murals in the lobby. The model for the little boy in the mural near the front entrance was none other than [Goodyear co-founder] F. A. Seiberling when he was a child!

My sister and I were heartbroken when we could no longer use the facility as a hotel and eventually could not even bring our visitors to view the lobby and its many features. It would be fantastic to once again bring visitors to marvel at this iconic part of Akron history and enjoy “sleeping in a silo”!!

— L.M.

Holiday events and Christmas trees

My niece, friend and I would go down to look at all the Christmas trees they would put on display then walk around the stores and stop at the restaurant with the train cars to get a pop and talk before we left.

— S.M.

I remember when the Christmas tree sales were in Quaker Square. When my girls were younger we would go to Quaker Square and just walk around, buy some candy and cookies, and check out the toy store. Not just toys, though; it had some very exotic things in there. I took my son out for lunch and we ate in the dining car. There was a photography studio that took your picture while you dressed in some old-fashioned clothes. I miss Quaker Square. And it would be nice to have a hotel downtown with a pool. Sometimes we would just go to the hotel and spend a couple of days lounging in our room or swimming.

— G.B.

Our high-school choir sang there at Christmas every year! I took my first date there and bought her a necklace she still has from 45 years ago. All the little shops — the toy store was amazing. All with oatmeal cookies baking. THE SMELL OF THOSE COOKIES. EVERY TIME I BAKE A BATCH OF OATMEAL COOKIES IT BRINGS ME THOSE MEMORIES!!

— J.S.

My family used to go there for New Year’s Eve. My parents would go to this black-tie dinner while my siblings and I would hang out in the hotel room with our party favors. Then, after midnight around 12:30 p.m., my parents would come back to the room and take us down to the ballroom. In the morning we would have breakfast at the restaurant then head home. Such a fun time. We celebrated New Year’s Eve like this for years.

— D.C.

Weddings, honeymoons and romantic escapes

I had my honeymoon there on November 16th, 1991 … best ever. 

— T.H.

I spent my honeymoon in a round room at Quaker Square. We got married on July 4th weekend and had an amazing view of the fireworks from our balcony. We ate breakfast with our family the next morning in one of the restaurants. I am thrilled that it is being brought back to life …

— L.L.

My husband David and I enjoyed traveling by train. Our family and friends began our wedding celebration on Friday, Jan. 14, 2005. After the wedding ceremony rehearsal at our nearby church, we enjoyed a casual rehearsal dinner pizza party. We had a relaxed weekend eating at the restaurants, visiting with family, local and out of towners, and swimming in the pool.

On Saturday, after our church wedding, a beautiful wedding dinner and reception was celebrated. A very attentive-to-every-detail staff decorated our ballroom with a train theme.

Wedding pictures were taken outside in front of the locomotive. The next morning we left the hotel and walked the short distance to the Amtrak station to travel to Williamsburg, Virginia. Wonderful family time and memories. Thank you for the opportunity to share them.

— P.C.

On November 11 & 12, 1997, my husband and I honeymooned in the Quaker Square hotel. It was magical. The Children’s Hospital Christmas Trees were displayed throughout the lobby and inspired our Christmas train set that we run through our living room each year.

We had a lovely view and a swim in the pool while we were there and enjoyed the unique features of our circular room with an elegant platform bed. In Quaker Square we visited a book store, had a delicious warm oatmeal cookie, and dined at the romantic pub. My husband and I were both U of A graduates and had many memories of Barnhill’s ice cream with the antique ice cream parlor chair seats.

My introduction to Quaker Square oatmeal cookies came through a Secret Santa I had while living in the dorms at the University of Akron. A cookie was left at my door. Many years later, I took my students from the STEM middle school on a tour of Quaker Square with a University of Akron guide. We researched the history to hide a Geocache designed in a Quaker Square oats tin to share the history of the location. The tin was one I had left over from my daughter’s Beanie Baby craze, which started at Quaker Square. There have been many more times over the years that we shared times with our families at Quaker Square and the history has intersected our experiences. My husband and I are beyond thrilled to read news of the renovation. Our wish is to revisit our honeymoon after it reopens.

— S.H.

My husband and I spent our wedding night there on August 22, 1981. We had the “Sow your Oats” package. Such a wonderful memory. ❤️

— L.H.

The hotel with rooms built into grain silos

In the late ‘90s, early 2000s, the company I worked for would have incredible Christmas parties there with great food and service, and we would always get a hotel room. The balconies were incredible, and the rounded rooms were so unique. I can’t wait for the opportunity to experience that again.

— H.B.My late husband was a driver for his company’s go-cart team. We stayed in one of the lovely rooms when they participated in a race in downtown Akron. Our balcony room had a perfect view of the race and allowed his parents to be a part of the excitement.

— S.T.

Distinctive restaurants and dining 

I liked going there for dinner. I can’t remember the name of the restaurant — it was on the lower floor. There was also one right before you got to the registration desk, but my most favorite store was the one that sold old fashioned oatmeal cookies made fresh every day. I wish they could bring that back.

— V.W.

I was one of the people who helped clean out the basement to make the Tavern Restaurant — I then worked there when it was completed. The best thing was watching the stained glass pieces being put into place. Served a lot of people there. However, due to parking issues, it slowly lost customers and closed. My attorney, Don Hicks, had his office upstairs at that time. Lots of great memories.

— C.K.

I am the owner of Courtyard Square [built in 1898], located at the corner of South Summit and East Mill streets. It has been the home of my law firm since we renovated the building in 1986. The firm, Perantinides & Nolan, frequently patronized, entertained and dined there with our clients and staff. The Tavern in The Square Restaurant was a favorite. The huge sandstone walls are spectacular, providing a unique venue for a great meal. The Hilton Hotel Sunday Brunch was always a family favorite after attending Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on South Union Street. 

— P.P.

Growing up in Akron, QS had the seven-layer lasagna and the best oatmeal cookies.

— H.M.G.

A hotbed for celebrity sightings

In the early ‘90s, I worked there as a bellman and eventually moved to a position as a front desk clerk. My favorite memories are all related to the amazing celebrities that stayed there while I worked there. Mel Torme, Shari Lewis, Gallagher, Nirvana, Harry Connick Jr., Taylor Dayne, Marilyn Manson and Glenn Danzig, just to name a few.

The ABSOLUTE nicest one was Naomi Judd. She was such a nice lady … she wanted to make sure that anyone in the lobby who wanted an autograph got one … so she asked me if we could get her a table and chair for her to sit down on. We did, and she made sure that EVERY SINGLE FAN got an autograph that day!

My other favorite celebrity was Chrissie Hynde (of the Pretenders). She didn’t really like the room she got, so I said, “How about I print a list of all of the vacant and clean rooms, we can walk through them all, and then you can pick out which one you want to stay in?” She said, “Are you SURE?” I said “DEFINITELY!! It isn’t too busy right now, and I’d be crazy to pass up a chance like this to spend some one-on-one time with THE Chrissie Hynde!!!!” (We walked and talked, and she found a room she liked!) I have so many great memories of the people that stayed there! I would love to walk through there again … I can’t wait to see how the new owners bring it back to life!
— M.K.

My father, Kelly Bolles, was employed by WAKR radio and television for 40 years. He and my mother were active in the Broadcasters Hall of Fame. They held their annual banquet in the banquet room at the Quaker Square hotel. They asked me to make the centerpieces for all the tables. I brought them to the hotel. As I was leaving I had the chance to meet Dick Goddard and Robin Swoboda. Really nice people. Good memories. ❤️

— D.W.

Working at Quaker Square

I worked at multiple stores at Quaker Square during college. The train would arrive on the weekends and there were so many people visiting the stores. You could smell the fresh-baked oatmeal cookies, look at memorabilia at JK Trading and buy beautiful baby clothes.

You felt like you walked back in time. Each shop was owned and operated by different people. I love working at stores like Linen and Things, The Leather Hideout and the clothing boutique on the third floor. I actually met and married my first husband there. He worked for the candy store and JK Trading. Christmas was the best because stores offered unique gifts not found in the big box stores.
— K.R.R.

I used to work at Quaker Square Hilton at the restaurant Schumachers. I was a waitress there and also was a hostess for the celebrity after-parties they had for the actors who were working for the Kenley Players. I met so many of my favorite actors! The place did the business! All the lawyers from Akron and from all over the county had their breakfasts and power lunches there. Dignitaries from all over the world stayed there. I met maharajahs and even waited on the country group Alabama and other country up and comers at their record company conference.

And if those round rooms could talk!! Still keeping a lot of things secret!! What a wonderful experience! I wish it could be restored to what it was. Quaker Square did the business and no one could touch it!

— D.J.

My mother worked at a bar at the hotel. I can’t remember its name — it was near the main entrance but downstairs. It was such a nice place, so fancy, and for a young boy it was an exciting and thrilling place to see and to visit. My friends and I would sometimes ride our bikes from Firestone Park to visit the hotel and shops .There was a spot where you could look down into the bar and I would always check and see if my mother was working and listen to the music. Lots of times a man would be playing the piano in a corner underneath us. Some of the best memories of my life were during those days.
— N.K.

I worked at Bucks, it was one of the first sports bars in Akron. There are so many stories, but my favorite was when one of the female bartenders beat Charles Barkley at the basketball game.

— T.O.

When I lived in Akron many years ago I worked at the Tavern in the basement. It was beautiful, dim lighting, fancy wine service, finger tip water glasses, known for their amazing steaks! I loved working there, and the tips were amazing! I would frequently visit Quaker Square with its hardwood floors, smell of fresh-baked oatmeal cookies from the bakery store, nostalgic candy store and toy store, three or four levels of boutiques and small eateries.

This was a fun and unique experience for those who visited Akron and was such a heartbreak when it was sold to Akron U for dorms UGH! That was a hard pill to swallow. Quaker Square is a museum and a historical space — why make it dorms? One of Akron’s biggest mistakes was doing that. I’m in Tampa now but would come back to visit once this beautiful architecture is reopened as a hotel!

— M.C.

I worked at Tavern in the Square as a bus boy, along with probably two dozen guys who went to school with me before or after I worked there. The manager found a steady stream of employees from our school. The restaurant quickly grew to have a reputation of great food and service — most weekends it was booked solid for five hours. The manager who ran the floor, I believe her name was Vera, if I’m not mistaken. I think she was English, she was the epitome of grace under pressure. Of course, this is the observation of a 16 year old at the time. She was quite the swan on top. Everything was nice and smooth, but under the water she was working like hell. It was a good job to start a résumé, and very educational with a cross-section of people that you learn to deal with. There were also after-parties, where many a morning we didn’t get home until the sun was coming up. Like I said, very educational.

— J.D.

Started at UA in fall of 1974. Got a job at Barnhills in Quaker Square. Some of us figured out that the manbelts shown in one of the photos still worked! Got to ride a couple times (unofficially, of course)!

— D.B.

I worked at Quaker Square probably in the mid-to late ‘70s. I managed The Mill Street Pottery. The City Gardener was attached, and, at that time, owned by the Terrys. It was the best job I ever had! Overall, many nice shop owners and employees who were pretty much family retail-wise.

There was very little down time and the place was bustling with visitors. Everyone would agree, I think, that one of the top attractions was the oatmeal cookies 🍪! Great restaurants, a deli, and eventually a bar. More retail spaces were also added on the lower level after a few years in. It was truly a shining diamond for Akron back then. It broke my heart seeing it slowly decline and eventually shut down. Jay Nusbaum [the founder] deserves some credit.

— D.B.

When I was a student at U of A, I worked in Honey Gold perfumery, the train store and the pewter store at Quaker Square. It was a very charming indoor shopping boutique. I’m happy to see the hotel being restored.

— D.H.

I worked at the Linen Mill (also known as the kitchen store) when Quaker Square had retail shops. I worked there for two years as a college student at the University of Akron. I worked for Barb Lopane and her husband, who managed the hotel. I used to call campus patrol and walk back to campus after my shift. My husband and I went on our first date at The Depot in 1991 and have now been married for almost 31 years, after having met at the university. I’m so excited to see the renovation.

— L.C.

I worked there for a few years once I was old enough, but before that, I’d tag along with my mom when she managed the stores during their heyday. I helped run Honey Gold Perfumery, The Train Shoppe, My Little Red Wagon, and the Crabtree & Evelyn store. It was such a fun place to work — especially during the holidays.

The mall was packed, people loved the nostalgic charm of the shopping experience, and every store offered unique, one-of-a-kind merchandise. I believe Akron would welcome its revival with open arms — it could be a major boost to the downtown economy.

— K.C.

The University of Akron dorm days

Back when I was attending the University of Akron, I lived in the Quaker building when it was a dorm, between the years 2015 and 2017, and I immediately fell in love with this building the first time I walked in.

From the odd art fixtures all over the place to the luxurious dorm rooms, I loved every part of this building. My friends and I used to sit down in that restaurant off the lobby and play board games or work on projects. I also loved living with some of my closest friends in the building, having several nights where we stayed up late playing video games.

I lived on the second floor during the 2016 school year, in a room that faced the lobby, and I will admit, I never opened my curtain much, not just for privacy reasons, but because all you saw out that window was the mural of the Quaker Oats man.

I miss my time in that building — I swear the place was haunted, but I am glad to hear it’s being restored and not demolished.

— E.R.

Don Drumm artwork and the interior (including the silos)

I used to book tour groups coming into the Akron/Canton area to stay at the hotel. When they arrived I would greet them and give them a tour of the lobby, including explaining the Don Drumm sculpture. The owner of the hotel had the sculpture made to mock the Mayor of Akron [John Ballard at the time] and other Akron leaders who criticized him and wouldn’t fund his project. The sculpture is basically the owner looking down at the mayor and others. He also never wanted the City of Akron to own the hotel. Or so I was told.
— K.B.

I have many memories since I worked there from 1981 to 1983 as a maintenance man and painter. I had to touch up many Don Drumm paintings on the walls throughout the facility that were damaged through everyday traffic. Matching up the colors was a painstakingly difficult and time-consuming task. I had many conversations with Jay Nusbaum, the owner. I even talked him into growing a beard when he told me he thought his wife had lost respect for him. He later told me it was the greatest thing he ever did. Hahaha! And the food in The Deli was awesome! In the time that I was there, I was everywhere in the facility. I’ll bet that most people didn’t realize that from the top of the tower, one could actually see the Richfield Coliseum. True story.

— J.P.

We used to go there just to walk through it when I was younger!!! The cotillion was held there!! I used to get hotel rooms there. They had gorgeous suites. Loved that place.

— N.H.

Walking the silos when they had shopping there. It was fun to shop there and find fun foods to snack on. Decorated great.

— S.P.

I have a picture taken back in the ‘80s of myself as a child standing next to the Don Drumm artwork in the main lobby of the hotel. Iconic. Fast forward to 2007 — my husband and I had our wedding reception in the banquet hall there on the main floor, and many of our guests stayed the night in the famous silo rooms. The unique setting and history of Quaker Square really impressed our out-of-town / country wedding guests!

— N.V.

I live in Canton now, but I grew up in West Akron. As a child, my parents would regularly take me to Quaker Square to visit the shops and restaurants. I remember loving the candy shop, which felt old-fashioned to me at the time. I also remember feeling vaguely creeped out by the whole building. It was always rather dim, and there were long stretches of empty hallways in between the restaurants and shops, so it sometimes felt like a bit of an abandoned building — were we supposed to be here, really? Maybe my parents made a mistake.

But then we’d stumble across a little shop selling small, intriguing items and I’d forget my fears. I don’t think we ever did, but I always desperately wanted to eat at the restaurant in the train car. I can’t remember if it was actually operating at the time. Most of my memories there take place in the 1990s and maybe a bit of the early 2000s. I also loved art from a young age, and was always fascinated by all of the Don Drumm pieces throughout the building; my 9-year-old self was so proud to have such an accomplished artist come from my hometown. All in all, it was an interesting, fascinating, mysterious place to my childhood self. I’m excited to see it being revived in some form or another.

— D.M.

I remember driving from Warren and visiting the shops with my mom and sister when I was a kid (1980-ish). I was fascinated by the silos. Still am…

— B.H.

I remember going there as a child for weekend brunch downstairs inside the main complex. It was such a treat! Then walking around the building afterwards and looking at all the intricate woodwork and shiny wooden floors. There were miniature trains set up in a different area, with little villages, people etc., and even a small circus.

It was magical to look at and walk through. Also, in later years, the cookie shop that sold fresh warm oatmeal cookies. You could smell them baking outside — they were the best. I’d make trips down there just to get those warm oatmeal cookies! The whole building was magical history and it’s missed so much. … It was indeed the heartbeat of Akron. So many memories there!

— K.J.

Historical significance

I can remember heading down to the Colonial Theater from Vine Street near Akron U. and passing the railroad box cars being tipped to dump grain into the back of the plant. Somehow, the rails would be raised to tip the cars.

— R.A.

My grandfather worked at Quaker Oats from the time he came to America from Hungary. A picture of him by a train car hung in the front entrance. I would love to know if this picture still exists and would buy it. I also have great memories of shopping there and stopping by to get an oatmeal cookie.

— S.F.

My Aunt Miriam (Estep) Staten, worked at the Quaker Oats factory when she was young. When it opened up for tourists, I was so proud to see a poster with my aunt’s picture on it. She was a wonderful lady. I inherited her name.

— M.E.

Music, dancing and nightlife

Dancing at Santa Fe Station. Line dancing, Country Two-Step, pattern partner dances, West Coast Swing. Met great people, including the DJdj, Marty, and a wonderful server named Mary who was a geology student at Akron U. My soon-to-be husband and I entered a dance contest sponsored by WQMX 94.9 FM, which was just launched. It was Friday the 13th, we were couple #13 and we won. They gave us points for enthusiasm, lol. Still dancing and still connected to many people I met during those years.

— L.S.