Akron Honey Company: Hidden Gem of Akron 12-08-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
December 8, 2016
Akron has an abundance of unique small businesses and one of those that I just discovered is Akron Honey Company. Owner and beekeeper Brent Wesley calls his company “The Sweet Spot of Akron, Ohio.” Wesley started the business in 2013 when he found a lot of empty land that he bought and started w...
NOTO North & NOTO South: Hidden Gem of Akron 12-06-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
December 5, 2016
I found your retail therapy fix for finals week. NOTO North and NOTO South – two unique boutiques in Akron – are sure to give your mind a short break with some relaxing shopping. NOTO North features a collection of women’s and men’s new and gently used clothing, accessories, bath and body p...
Time Traveler Records: Hidden Gem of Akron 12-01-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
November 30, 2016
Time Traveler Records is by far my favorite record store in Akron and it’s just about 10 minutes away from campus. You should shop at local businesses in order to give back to the community members that make Akron unique instead of going to bigger chain businesses. At Time Traveler Records, there is an impres...
Uncorked Wine Bar: Hidden Gem of Akron 11-29-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
November 29, 2016
Want to taste some quality wines while viewing quality art exhibits? This wine bar, art gallery and music venue needs to be your next location for date night and girl’s night. This elegant wine bar is located in Akron’s Historic District near Musica, BLU Jazz +, and Rubber City Clothing. The w...
Sweet Mary’s Bakery: Hidden Gem of Akron 11-22-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
November 21, 2016
I know you’ll be binge eating yourself to oblivion on Thanksgiving, so why not stop by Sweet Mary’s Bakery for a festive pie and add just a few more calories. Baker Mary Hospodarsky has blessed West Akron with delicious baked goods. Her business began as a made-to-order bakery in 2006. She...
Rubber City Comics: Hidden Gem of Akron 11-17-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
November 16, 2016
Are you a self-proclaimed comic book nerd? Stop by Rubber City Comics (RCC) in downtown Akron to expand your collection. You deserve to treat yourself because it’s almost finals week. The comic book store was started in Quaker Square back in 1976, but the name of the business and the location cha...
Stray Dog Cafe & Cart: Hidden Gem of Akron 11-15-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
November 14, 2016
Imagine you’re studying at the Akron Public Library downtown and your stomach lets out a deep rumble. You have so much work to get done that your growling stomach is an inconvenience. You need something quick. Don’t worry, I know the perfect place for you. Stray Dog Cafe, which stemmed from the Stray...
BLU Jazz +: Hidden Gem of Akron 11-10-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
November 9, 2016
Think of BLU Jazz + as a fancier version of your usual club hangout with your crew. This club is located in downtown Akron, so it is quite accessible for UA students. BLU Jazz + is known for its quality live jazz performances in a modern venue setting with “state-of-the-art stage, sound, and l...
The Lockview: Hidden Gem of Akron 11-08-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
November 7, 2016
Channel your inner kid with a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich and a side of Goldfish, but feel grown up with a full menu of wine and beer at The Lockview. It sounds too good to be true, but I promise I’m being serious about these fancy grilled cheeses. They market themselves as a “Gourmet Grilled ...
Ely Road Boutique: Hidden Gem of Akron 11-01-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
November 3, 2016
Come to Ely Road Boutique for unique and fashionable pieces and an adorable corgi named Huey. This local boutique is new to downtown Akron. Owner Suzie Pruitt opened the boutique in January, 2016. This boutique is located by the main library off of W. Market Street in Akron’s Downtown Historic Dis...
The Steam Trunk: Hidden Gem of Akron 11-03-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
November 2, 2016
Men, this Hidden Gem is for you. And don’t bash it because it’s considered a “boutique.” This shop has some of the most manly accessories and housewear you’ll find. The first thing I noticed here were the insanely cool skull accessories everywhere. Owner of The Steam Trunk, William Tomlin...
Artisan Coffee Shop: Hidden Gem of Akron 10-27-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
October 26, 2016
Coffee is an essential part of the college life for many students, so it only seems appropriate to share with you a coffee shop with a cozy atmosphere. I want to expand your coffee horizons with a coffee shop other than your usual Starbucks or Einstein Bros. Artisan Coffee Shop opened a little over a y...
Summit Metro Parks: Hidden Gem of Akron 10-20-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
October 19, 2016
Imagine the crunching of dead leaves under your feet and breathing in the smells of the woods surrounding you. Fall hiking is a great way to relax and, in Akron, there is so much beautiful scenery. If you’ve never been to a Metro Parks in the fall, you’re missing out. Each year, the Summit Metro Parks do the Ann...
The Bomb Shelter: Hidden Gem of Akron 10-18-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
October 17, 2016
Visit The Bomb Shelter for unique finds that will make your dorm room or apartment the only place where your friends will want to hang out. A statement on thebombshelterstore.com summed it up perfectly: “Our space is arranged for viewing and engaging idea making — it’s a vintage museum where...
Pav’s Creamery: Hidden Gem of Akron 10-13-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
October 12, 2016
As I’m sure you gathered from my first Hidden Gem of the semester, Chill Artisan Ice Cream, I consume too much ice cream. I worked at an ice cream parlor for about five-and-a-half years, which has led to me needing ice cream every day. Which is why I want to reveal another one of my favorite ice cre...
Third floor of Kolbe Hall: Hidden Gem of (U)Akron 10-11-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
October 10, 2016
With midterms and exams in full swing, students can be found cramming in every campus building. I’m sharing one of my favorite spots with you. For the past few semesters, all of my classes have been in two buildings, one of them being Kolbe Hall. I’ve spent hours on the third floor of this hall....
The Eye Opener & Arnie’s Public House: Hidden Gem of Akron 10-06-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
October 5, 2016
If an omelette with gooey cheese and a Bloody Mary for breakfast is your thing, The Eye Opener is your spot. It has a variety of breakfast classics: omelettes, pancakes, waffles, sausage, bacon, gourmet coffees and teas, and more. When I went with my family for breakfast, I got a giant omelette loade...
Rubber City Clothing: Hidden Gem of Akron 10-04-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
October 3, 2016
While it may be more well known than some of my previous Hidden Gems, Rubber City Clothing should be a go-to for any Akronite, native or new, who needs some Akron-proud gear in their wardrobe. For those who may not be familiar with Akron’s history, this city was the “Rubber Capital of the World”...
One of a Kind Pet Rescue: Hidden Gem of Akron 9-29-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
September 28, 2016
I encourage everyone to adopt from this shelter. It’s a non-profit organization that is funded by donations. From its website, oneofakindpets.com, this is its mission statement: “One of a Kind Pet Rescue is dedicated to the rescue and adoption of homeless pets in imminent danger of euthanasia, spaying/n...
The Bookseller: Hidden Gem of Akron 9-27-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
September 26, 2016
I was driving down the road behind Swensons Drive-In the other day and I saw this shop, The Bookseller, out of the corner of my eye. I quickly pulled into the parking lot because I knew it would be perfect for my next Hidden Gem. Having discovered it by accident, I stepped inside and was greeted ...
Akron Glass Works: Hidden Gem of Akron 9-15-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
September 15, 2016
Akron Glass Works has been providing Akronites with a hands-on glassblowing experience for 10 years and is currently the only glassblowing studio and gallery in Akron. It was previously located across from Luigi’s in the Northside District, but is now located just around the corner from campus. It also...
Don Drumm Studios & Gallery: Hidden Gem of Akron 9-13-16
By Michelle DeShon, Opinion Editor
September 12, 2016
Today’s Hidden Gem of Akron, Don Drumm Studios & Gallery, is within walking distance of campus - so there’s no excuse for not checking it out. Why not absorb some art during a break between classes? Much better than lounging at the Student Union for hours, am I right? The gallery is located n...
