Best of the City 2015
Best of the City 2015
We live in a world where everyone is constantly sharing lists. The 50 best places to explore before you settle down. The 10 desserts you absolutely can’t live without. The top 15 reasons why you should explore the local parks. Lists inspire us to go out into the world and check it out. This year’s “Best of the City” list is full of places, people and local services that our readers see as the gems of the area. Each has its own origin story and flavor that, when all combined, make the Akron area a colorful place to live.
From amazingly crafted cakes, gorgeous floral designs and elegant salons, to retro stores and scrumptious Chinese take-out, Akron has so much to offer those who call it home. Each year akronlife readers send their picks for the absolute best of the best. This year’s list features many fan-favorites that have become city staples over the years, as well as new additions.
Whether a new player or a frequent flyer on our list, each winner has brought personality to The 330. Thank you for sharing your favorites with us!
The List:
Best Charity Event
First Place: Akron Children’s Holiday Tree Festival
Second Place: Akron Marathon
Third Place: PAWSabilities
Honorable Mention: Akron Autism 5K Run and Walk
Best local reason for waiting in line
First Place: Luigi's
Second Place: Blue Door Café
Third Place: Akron RubberDucks
Best neighborhood
First Place: Highland Square
Second Place: Hudson
Third Place: Cuyahoga Falls
Honorable Mention: Bath
Best local place to volunteer
First Place: Summit County Metro
Parks
Second Place: PAWSabilities
Third Place: Akron Canton Regional Foodbank
Best local place to take visitors
First Place: Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Second Place: Summit County Metro Parks
Third Place: Akron Zoo
Best way to improve Akron
First Place: Repair roads
Second Place: Improve downtown
Third Place: Improve school systems
Honorable Mention: More bike friendly
Best thing to happen to Akron (last 12 months)
First Place: LeBron James coming back
Second Place: BLU Jazz+ Club
Third Place: Akron RubberDucks
Honorable Mention: Gay Games
Best local landmark
First Place: Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Second Place: Goodyear Blimp Airdock
Third Place: Akron Civic Theatre
Honorable Mention: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Best local live music venue
First Place: Musica
Second Place: Blossom Music Center
Third Place: Jilly’s Music Room
Honorable Mention: Lock 3
Best local live theatre
First Place: Weathervane Playhouse
Second Place: Akron Civic Theatre
Third Place: The University of Akron's E.J. Thomas Hall
Best local radio host
First Place: Keith Kennedy
Second Place: Bill Hall
Third Place: Ray Horner
Honorable Mention: TK O’Grady
Best local hike
First Place: Gorge Metro Park
Second Place: Towpath Trail
Third Place: Sand Run Metro Park
Honorable Mention: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Best local natural wonder
First Place: Brandywine Falls
Second Place: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Third Place: Gorge Metro Park
Best local museum
First Place: Akron Art Museum
Second Place: Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Third Place: Kent State Fashion Museum
Best local free event
First Place: Lock 3 concerts and events
Second Place: Porch Rokr Festival
Third Place: Italian American Festival
Best local summer camp for kids
First Place: Camp Christopher
Second Place: Camp Y-Noah
Third Place: Rotary Camp
Honorable Mention: Weathervane Summer Camps
Best local high school or college mascot
First Place: Akron Zips
Second Place: Stow Bulldogs
Third Place: (Tie) Firestone Falcons and Kent State Golden Flashes
Best local rising star athlete
First Place: LeBron James Jr.
Second Place: Pete Nance (Revere)
Third Place: (4-way tie) Callum Parnell, Doran Grant, Kobe Bryant (St. Vincent-St. Mary soccer), Parris Campbell
Best local one-tank trip (outside of The 330)
First Place: Amish Country
Second Place: Cleveland
Third Place: Hocking Hills
Honorable Mention: Pittsburgh
Best local band/musician
First Place: The Black Keys
Second Place: Zach Friedhof
Third Place: (tie) Freezer Burn and Get on UP
Best local dance studio
First Place: Martell School of Dance
Second Place: Dianna Durkin
Third Place: (tie) Studio West and 8 Count Dance
Best local florist
First Place: Green House Florist Hudson
Second Place: Every Blooming Thing
Third Place: Pam’s Posies
Honorable Mention: Molly Taylor Design Hudson
Best local dog groomer
First Place: Wizard of Paws
Second Place: Celebrity Pets
Third Place: K-9 Pet Salon
Honorable Mention: Dogs with Style
Best local spa
First Place: Gavin Scott Salon & Spa – Stow
Second Place: The Spa at Yellow Creek
Third Place: (tie) Solaire – Hudson and White Pond Paradise and Spa
Best local salon/barber shop
First Place: Gavin Scott Salon & Spa
Second Place: Lucia’s Salon on Main – Hudson
Third Place: Charles Lee Salon and Spa
Best local hospital
First Place: Akron General Medical Center
Second Place: Summa Akron City Hospital
Third Place: Akron Children’s Hospital
Best local hospital maternity ward
First Place: Akron General Medical Center
Second Place: Summa Akron City Hospital
Third Place: Summa Barberton Hospital
Best local dentist
First Place: Barsan Family Dental Practice
Second Place: Dr. Solon Alexiou
Third Place: Dr. Tom Semans – Fairlawn
Best local cooking class
First Place: Western Reserve Cooking School
Second Place: Mustard Seed Market and Café
Third Place: Gervasi Wine and Cooking Classes
Best local wealth manager
First Place: Paula Chesser, R.W. Baird Co.
Second Place: Sequoia Financial Group
Third Place: (tie) John Marchand at Wells Fargo and Rob Winston – LPL Financial
Best local women’s clothing store
First Place: Sugar Loves Spice Boutique
Second Place: Noto Boutique
Third Place: Grey Colt – Hudson
Honorable Mention: Winds of Change – Hudson
Best local landscaping company
First Place: Edenscape
Second Place: Graf Growers
Third Place: KGK Gardening & Design Corp.
Best local jeweler
First Place: Kimberly Jewelers
Second Place: Jewelry Art Hudson
Third Place: Taylor Made Jewelry
Honorable Mention: Abshire & Haylan – Stow
Best local homebuilder
First Place: Testa Builders
Second Place: Wayne Homes
Third Place: (tie) Ryan Homes and Schumacher Homes
Best local art gallery
First Place: Don Drumm Studios & Gallery
Second Place: Zeber Martell Studio and Gallery
Third Place: Akron Art Museum
Honorable Mention: Akrona Galleries
Best local independent bookstore
First Place: The Learned Owl – Hudson
Second Place: The Bookseller – Akron
Third Place: Snowball Bookshop
Best local real estate agency
First Place: Howard Hanna – Hudson
Second Place: Keller Williams Chervenic Realty
Third Place: Stouffer Real Estate
Best local bike shop
First Place: Eddie’s Bike Shop – Stow
Second Place: Century Cycles – Peninsula
Third Place: Wheel and Wrench
Best new local store (last 12 months)
First Place: Sugar Loves Spice Boutique
Second Place: Lovely Somethings
Third Place: Cynthia’s Boutique
Best local vintage clothing store
First Place: Revival
Second Place: Village Discount Outlet
Third Place: The Hidden Pearl – Cuyahoga Falls
Honorable Mention: The Bomb Shelter
Best local retro décor/antique shop
First Place: The Bomb Shelter
Second Place: Stage Coach Antiques
Third Place: Abby Ann's
Best local fine artist
First Place: Don Drumm
Second Place: Zeber Martell
Third Place: Michael Gable
Best local car dealership
First Place: Dave Walter
Second Place: Ron Marhofer Auto Family
Third Place: (tie) Don Sitts and Van Devere
Best local gym
First Place: CrossFit Akron
Second Place: Akron General Wellness Center
Third Place: Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium
Honorable Mention: Shaw JCC
Best local wedding reception venue
First Place: Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Second Place: Todaro’s Party Center
Third Place: Guy’s Party Center
Honorable Mention: Happy Days Lodge
Best local retail store to blow your whole paycheck
First Place: Don Drumm Studios & Gallery
Second Place: Sugar Loves Spice Boutique
Third Place: Matter of Design
Best local farmers’ market
First Place: Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy
Second Place: Hudson’s Farmers Market
Third Place: Szalay’s in Peninsula
Honorable Mention: Highland Square
Best locally made pie
First Place: Gardner Pie Co.
Second Place: West Side Bakery
Third Place: Hartville Kitchen
Best local ethnic market
First Place: DeVitis Italian Deli & Market
Second Place: Hana Asian Market
Third Place: West Point Market
Honorable Mention: (tie) Al’s Meat Market and Sanabel Middle East Bakery
Best local vegetarian menu
First Place: Aladdin’s Eatery
Second Place: Mustard Seed Market & Café
Third Place: Ms. Julie’s Kitchen
Best local gluten-free menu
First Place: Jilly’s Music Room
Second Place: Mustard Seed Market & Café
Third Place: D’Agnese Trattoria and Café
Best local Italian restaurant
First Place: Luigi’s
Second Place: D’Agnese Trattoria and Café
Third Place: Dontino’s
Best local Mexican restaurant
First Place: Nuevo Modern Mexican &
Tequila Bar
Second Place: Tito’s
Third Place: Pancho and Lefty’s
Honorable Mention: Tres Potrillos
Best local Mediterranean restaurant
First Place: Aladdin’s Eatery
Second Place: Main Street Continental Grill
Third Place: Laziza – Kent
Best local Chinese take-out
First Place: Chen’s Garden
Second Place: House of Hunan
Third Place: Nobel House
Best local breakfast
First Place: The Blue Door Café
Second Place: The Eye Opener
Third Place: Hudson’s Restaurant
Honorable Mention: (tie) Michael’s A.M. and Akron Family Restaurant
Best local family-friendly dining
First Place: Hudson’s Restaurant
Second Place: Rockne’s- Merriman Road
Third Place: Yours Truly- Hudson
Best local pizza
First Place: Luigi’s
Second Place: Gionino’s
Third Place: Rizzi’s Pizza
Best local burger
First Place: Swenson’s
Second Place: The Rail
Third Place: Flip Side – Hudson
Best local sushi
First Place: Sakura – Akron
Second Place: House of Hunan
Third Place: Cilantro Thai & Sushi Restaurant
Best local bakery
First Place: West Side Bakery
Second Place: A Cupcake a Day
Third Place: (tie) Great Lakes Baking Co. – Hudson and Pallotta’s Pastries
Best local ice cream
First Place: Strickland’s
Second Place: (tie) Handel’s and Pav’s Creamery
Third Place: Mary Coyle
Best local food truck
First Place: Swenson’s Food Truck
Second Place: The Orange Truck
Third Place: (tie) Wholly Frijoles and Zydèco
Best local patio dining
First Place: Nuevo Modern Mexican &
Tequila Bar
Second Place: Beau’s Grille
Third Place: Merchant Tavern
Honorable Mention: Burntwood Tavern
Best local chef
First Place: Victor Todaro, The Merchant Tavern
Second Place: Zak Hirt, Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar
Third Place: Beau Schmidt, Beau’s Grille
Best new local restaurant (in the last 12 months)
First Place: Nuevo Modern Mexican &
Tequila Bar
Second Place: The Twisted Olive
Third Place: Craft Beer Bar
Best local place to sit and enjoy a cup of joe
First Place: Angel Falls
Second Place: Nervous Dog
Best local winery
First Place: Sarah’s Vineyard
Second Place: Winery at Wolf Creek
Third Place: Gervasi Vineyard
Best local craft beer
First Place: Thirsty Dog
Second Place: Hoppin' Frog Brewery
Third Place: Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Best local bar
First Place: The Merchant Tavern
Second Place: Craft Beer Bar
Third Place: The Lockview
Best local bartender
First Place: Jessica Horringer – The
Merchant Tavern
Second Place: Dustin Sladky – Craft Beer Bar
Third Place: Kevin Welsh – Jilly’s Music Room