Release Date: March 22,2022
Quaker Square Inn to Open in May for a Curated Storefront Art Party
The former Quaker Square Inn Restaurants and Shops will be transformed into a party venue in May before becoming art gallery spaces this summer
March 16, 2022 Akron, Ohio (March 16, 2022) – Quaker Square is best known in Akron as a historic oat factory turned luxury hotel, but with the help of Curated Storefront and the University of Akron–and a bit of polishing magic–the first floor will be transformed into the art destination of the summer.
The first floor may be remembered as the original entry way to the mall of Quaker Square, which opened in 1975 and hosted dining, shopping, and entertainment options. The University of Akron purchased the Inn in 2007 and the guest rooms were officially closed to the public in 2013 with limited public access to other areas of the former Inn and mall. The first floor restaurants and shops have been closed with no public access for years, with the shops on the second floor–including Trackside Grill–closing more recently around 2017.
Curated Storefront will activate many of the former shops and restaurants this summer with artwork by artists from all over the country through a series of art galleries in partnership with FRONT International. As a kick off to the spaces and galleries, Curated Storefront is hosting a party on Saturday May 14, 2022 from 6-11pm titled Grits to Glam. The party will include appearances by many local artists for an evening of continuous art and music experiences, food and desserts by some Akron favorites, and of course access to the nostalgia of Quaker Square.
Tickets are being sold through Eventbrite and more information about the event and sponsorship opportunities can be found on Curated Storefront’s website www.curatedstorefront.org/g2g or through contacting Liz Gage at liz@curatedstorefront.org.
The event is being organized by Curated Storefront’s Event Committee including members Anthony Antonucci, Kathryn Bain, Imani Badillo, Katie Barber, Shirley Smith, Marlene Thompson, Jamie Yu, and staff members Courtney Cable, Liz Gage, Rick Rogers and Annie Wischmeyer.