Treasures abound in Akron
From fruit to fashion, there's something for everyone
By Katie Byard
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Sunday, Dec 13, 2009
In the last century, generations checked off their holiday shopping lists at downtown Akron department stores Polsky's and O'Neil's.
Polsky's closed in 1978, and O'Neil's closed in 1989.
Today, holiday shoppers downtown won't find everything in one place.
But hidden gems abound in a mix of independent stores — three that have been around for more than 70 years — and gift shops connected to downtown cultural landmarks.
Everything from purses to peanuts to a print of a locally popular painting — featuring a snowy downtown Akron scene in the 1930s — are in stock.
Let's begin the hunt at downtown's north end at the Western Fruit Basket Co., 115 E. Market St. (330-376-3917; http://thewesternfruitbasket.com)
Don't let the drab interior fool you. There's lots of yummy holiday cheer at this company that owner Engelos Detorakis said has been operated by one Greek or another since its founding 102 years ago.
Peer into the freezer cases at the store and you'll see Greek food — homemade by Detorakis' wife, Koula — that you can carry out and bake in your oven.
She cooks in the store's back, where baskets are prepared for shipping all over the U.S.
Fruit baskets start at $20. Cheese, crackers and butter-laden Greek pastries and appetizers (made by Koula) can be included.
Head west to the We Gallery — a shop featuring fine art and crafts by national and local artists, including ceramics, glassware and lamps. It's at 20 N. High St., in the same building as the Mocha Maiden coffee shop and the Musica concert venue. (330-252-0988).
One of downtown's newest retailers, the We Gallery is selling a lot of jewelry this holiday season. Leather and silver bracelets ($20 to $32) are especially popular.
''The leather is recycled. It's good karma,'' said Erin Ludlam, 33, who owns the the store with her sister, Karyn.
Next door at 18 N. High Street — in the same building — is Rubber City Clothing. (330-434-4722; http://www.rubbercityclothing.com)
The shop, opened in 2006, is best known for its Akron-centric T-shirts — printed in Summit County. An especially popular one features a skull and crossbones and says ''Akron — Where the Weak are Killed and Eaten.'' It costs $21.99.
Becky Zingale of Akron was Christmas shopping when she picked up a T-shirt emblazoned with ''Enjoy Akron'' — ala the Enjoy Coke logo — with a price tag of $21.99.
Also in the same building, but facing Maiden Alley and behind Crave restaurant, is Noto, a women's clothing boutique at 51 E. Market St. (330-990-4724; http://www.zelionoto.com)
Owner Lauren Ward, who at age 24 may be downtown's youngest proprietor, offers an array of clothing and accessories.
Ward pointed to a pair of tan-colored shoes — flats with bows on the side — and said they would be a fun gift. ''It's a pretty reasonable price and they look cute on everybody.'' They cost $25.
Also in stock are oversized purses — some sparkly — and cropped pea coats. They are $45 each.
Heading south is the Museum Store tucked inside the Akron Art Museum, One South High St. (330-376-9186, ext. 280; http://www.akronartmuseum.org) No gallery admission necessary if you are only shopping.
A best-seller this time of year is the print of Raphael Gleitsmann's Winter Evening, a painting in the museum's permanent collection. Gleitsmann's image depicts a snowy slice of downtown Akron in the 1930s. A 16-by-16-inch print goes for $28.95 unmatted and unframed and $59.95 framed and matted.
Also available are arty items for the home, including a bunny that is pulled out of a hat to reveal toothpicks goes for $29, along with children's toys and work by local artists.
Across High Street is the Akron-Summit County Public Library, which includes the Library Shop on Main. (330-643-9070; http://akronlibrary.org) The store, which fronts on Main Street, is operated by the Friends of the Library. It stocks used books as well as new items, including mugs, quirky tote bags, cards and children's items.
Gift items also are available next door at Hattie's Cafe & Gifts (330-762-0853; http://hattiescafe.org), which provides work for adults with disabilities.
Comics, UA gifts
Heading south is the Quaker Square NewsStand (330-972-2326). It's actually a comic-book store, inside the old Quaker Square shopping complex at Mill and High streets.
To our delight, we stumbled in on a Wednesday. That's the day when new issues are released, including a growing number of series for young children. Comic book company BOOM! Studios offers titles featuring Muppet and Disney characters.
Owner Thom Huff also stocks comic-book character mugs and magnets, as well as lunchboxes and other comic-centric items.
''One of the problems we've had since the University of Akron bought us [the Quaker Square hotel and adjoining property] is that people think we're closed,'' Huff said.
Also still open is the General Store at Quaker Square, which now stocks UA apparel along with gift items such as Harry London chocolates and Rothschild sauces and dips. The store's inventory of Christmas decorations is being sold off at reduced prices.
More on Main
Next up is perhaps downtown's most iconic shop — the Peanut Shoppe at 203 S. Main St., where the nuts are roasted on-site in old Planters roasters. (330-376-7020; http://www.akronpeanuts.com)
Opened in 1937, the store only began accepting charge cards this fall.
The holiday season is the store's biggest sales period and the only time when you can find red pistachios.
Shoppers can buy pistachios in a one-pound tin for $9.55 or customize an order with any combination of nuts and candy. The store ships anywhere in the U.S.
Shoppers don't have to pay to smell the aroma of roasting nuts or view the pictures of local celebrities that dot the walls.
Across Main Street is the Stage Left boutique, 182 S Main St. (330-535-3179), operated by the Akron Civic Theatre Women's Guild.
The shop, next to the theater, features a variety of theater memorabilia — including a calendar with full-color photographs of the Civic for $14.95. There also are coaster sets and mouse pads. Wizard of Oz collectibles are a popular item, as is jewelry.
The guild began with selling merchandise from a table; eventually the operation expanded into a boutique.
Downtown mainstays
Further south is Grismer's Christian Gifts & Church Supply, which turned 75 this year and is believed to be Akron's oldest non-food retail store. It's been in its current location in a little building at 272 S. High St. since the mid-1940s. (330-253-6559; http://www.grismers.com).
Co-owner June Grismer said ceramic white, pearlized ''globe-style'' nativity scenes (some are small enough to be hung) are proving to be popular this season. ''People really like the tenderness of it,'' she said. A night-light version goes for $39.99.
A Santa kneeling by the baby Jesus ($46.99) also is available. ''Our emphasis is keeping Christ in Christmas,'' Grismer said.
Last on our list is the Pearl Coffee Co. at at 675 S. Broadway.
Dozens of flavored coffees in ''fraction packs,'' which each yield a pot of coffee, line tables on one side of the retail shop next to the company's headquarters. The company's popular Diana brand non-flavored coffee is available in larger quantities.
Shoppers can see the original roaster used when the business was founded in 1919 by current owner John Economou's father, Nicholas.
Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com.
