The Best of the City 2014

Photos by Shane Wynn and Andrew Keller

Everybody has an opinion, and when it comes to sharing their opinions, nobody does it better than the readers of akronlife magazine.

Way back in the frozen tundra that was our Akron-area January, we asked you to tell us what places, people and things you consider to be the Best of the City. And, boy, did you tell us — online, on paper and in the aisles of the grocery store (Okay, that last one may have just happened to me.)

Anyway, we received nearly 1,000 nominations, and we’re so excited to share those results with you in this annual Best of the City issue. Whether you grew up here, you recently chose this area to be your hometown or you live elsewhere and visit often, we hope that you’ll find some new treasures on this list mixed in with your old favorites. Want to support the “Buy Local” movement? Start here, and then put your money where your mouth is.

If these awardees pique your interest, be sure to come to our 3rd annual Best of the City Showcase at Summit Mall on Sat., Aug. 9. You’ll be able to check out our current and past winners from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and see the products and services that make them The Best! This awards ceremony and its accompanying showcase has become the event of the summer, so mark your calendars now! We’ll see you there!

All about Akron

Best Local Charity Event

First Place: Akron Children’s Hospital/WKDD “Have A Heart, Do Your Part” Radiothon

Second Place: Akron Children’s Hospital Holiday Tree Festival

Third Place: Akron Zoo Summer Safari

Honorable Mention (3-way tie): Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s Taste of the NFL; PAWSibilities Humane Society of Greater Akron’s PAWSibility Ball; and the Arthritis Foundation, Great Lakes Region, Northeastern Ohio’s Red and White on Thursday Night

Best Local Reason for Waiting in Line

First Place: To dine at Luigi’s Restaurant

Second Place: To see Akron Zoo’s new Grizzly Ridge exhibit and go down the otter slide

Third Place: To buy chocolate croissants from Sally Ohle at Summit Croissants at a farmers’ market

Honorable Mention: To get Handel’s Ice Cream

Best New Book by a Local Author

First Place: “The Hard Way on Purpose” by David Giffels

Second Place (tie): “A is for Akron” by Joanna Wilson and Karen Starr; and “No Mopes Allowed” by Chief David Oliver

Third Place (tie): “Left at the Mango Tree” by Stephanie Siciarz, and “With Just One Push: A New Mother’s Journey of Love, Loss and Survival” by Lori Dente

Honorable Mention (tie): “Greater Akron: Inventive. Industrious. Inspired” by David Lieberth; and “The Legend of Tommy: The Tiny Christmas Tree” by Sidney Louis Fleishman

Best Local Place to Buy Akron-centric Items

First Place: Rubber City Clothing, Akron

Second Place: Don Drumm Studios & Gallery, Akron

Third Place: Revival, Highland Square

Honorable Mention: The University of Akron

Best Local Place to Volunteer

First Place: Akron Children’s Hospital

Second Place: Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank

Third Place: PAWSibilities Humane Society of Greater Akron

Honorable Mention: Akron Zoo

Best Local Place to Take Visitors

First Place: Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

Second Place: Akron Zoo

Third Place: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, especially Brandywine Falls and Peninsula

Honorable Mention: Summit Metro Parks

Best Way to Improve Akron

First Place (3-way tie): Reduce violence and crime; attract higher quality independent restaurants and retail to downtown; and fix potholes

Second Place: Allow food trucks

Third Place: Create more job opportunities, especially in manufacturing/give incentives to startups

Honorable Mention: Rehab neglected properties or demo vacant houses and turn their lots into neighborhood gardens

Best Thing to Happen to Akron (last 12 months)

First Place: Opening of the Akron Zoo’s Grizzly Ridge exhibit

Second Place: Ken Babby rebrands Aeros as Akron RubberDucks

Third Place: Downtown development and expansion of The University of Akron

Honorable Mention: Mustard Seed Market breaks ground in Highland Square

Entertainment 

Best Local Live Music Venue

First Place: Musica, Akron

Second Place: Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls

Third Place: Lock 3, Akron

Honorable Mention: Blue Rock Café, Hudson

Best Local Live Theater

First Place: Akron Civic Theatre, Akron

Second Place: Weathervane Playhouse, Akron

Third Place: E.J. Thomas Hall, Akron

Honorable Mention: Magical Theatre Company, Barberton

Best Local Radio Station

First Place: 91.3 FM WAPS

Second Place: 98.1 FM WKDD

Third Place: 94.9 FM WQMX

Honorable Mention: 100 FM WNIR

Best Local Golf Course

First Place: Firestone Country Club, Akron

Second Place: J. Edward Good Park Golf Course, Akron

Third Place: Fox Den Golf Course, Stow

Honorable Mention (tie): Brookledge Golf Club, Cuyahoga Falls, and Mud Run Golf Course, Akron

Best Local Swimming Pool

First Place: Water Works Aquatic Center, Cuyahoga Falls

Second Place: The Natatorium, Cuyahoga Falls

Third Place: Shaw JCC, Akron

Honorable Mention: YMCA, multiple locations

Best Local Hike

First Place: Gorge Metro Park, Cuyahoga Falls

Second Place: Sand Run Metro Park, Akron

Third Place: Cuyahoga Valley National Parks, multiple locations

Honorable Mention: Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail

Best Local Natural Wonder

First Place (tie): Brandywine Falls, Sagamore Hills; and The Gorge, Cuyahoga Falls

Second Place: Cuyahoga Valley National Parks, multiple locations

Third Place: The Ledges at Virginia Kendall Park, CVNP, Peninsula

Honorable Mention: The Cuyahoga River and The Falls 

The Snarky Award goes to the reader who nominated “Don Plusquellic’s hair.”

The Polar Vortex Award goes to the reader who nominated “Snow Rollers.”

Best Local Museum

First Place: Akron Art Museum, Akron

Second Place: Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, Akron

Third Place: Hale Farm and Village, Bath

Honorable Mention (tie): Akron Marble Museum at Lock 3, Akron; and the McKinley Presidential Library and Museum, Canton

Best Local Nighttime Hot Spot

First Place: Square Bar, Highland Square

Second Place (tie): Musica, Akron; and The Lockview, Akron

Third Place: Annabell’s, Highland Square

Honorable Mention (tie): Jilly’s Music Room, Akron, and Thursday’s Lounge, Akron

Best Local Kids’ Birthday Party Venue

First Place: Akron Zoo

Second Place: Pump It Up, Stow

Third Place (tie): Rockin’ Robin’s Amazone, Medina, and Laser Quest, Montrose

Honorable Mention (tie): Fun ‘n’ Stuff, Macedonia, and Summit Metro Parks, multiple locations

Best Local Free Event

First Place: Lock 3 concerts and Holiday Market, Akron

Second Place: Rockin’ on the River, Cuyahoga Falls

Third Place: Porch Rokr Festival, Highland Square

Honorable Mention: Akron Arts Expo at Hardesty Park

Services

Best Local Dance Studio

First Place: Martell School of Dance, Highland Square

Second Place (3-way tie): Christine Jones-Meneer School of Dance, Munroe Falls; Marquette School of Dance, Stow; and McCardle’s Dance Studio, Cuyahoga Falls

Third Place (3-way tie): 2 Left Feet Dance Studio, Richfield; All About Dance by Kristen, Stow; and Studio West, Fairlawn

Best Local Florist

First Place: The Greenhouse, Hudson

Second Place: Savoir Faire, Akron

Third Place (tie): Dietz Falls Florist, Cuyahoga Falls, and Pam’s Posies, Fairlawn

Honorable Mention: Molly Taylor Designs, Hudson

Best Local Pet Groomer

First Place: Celebrity Pets, Akron

Second Place (tie): Groovy Dog Grooms, Akron, and Wizard of Paws, Stow

Third Place: Kay-9 Pet Salon, Akron

Best Local Spa

First Place: The Spa at Yellow Creek, Bath

Second Place: Gavin Scott Salon and Spa, Stow

Third Place: A White Pond Paradise, Akron

Honorable Mention: Falling Waters Spa in the Summa Wellness Institute, Hudson

Best Local Hair Salon

First Place: Gavin Scott Salon and Spa, Stow

Second Place: MC Hair and Studio MC, Cuyahoga Falls

Third Place: Rian A Hair Studio, Akron

Honorable Mention: Salon 180, Hudson

Best Local Old-School Barber Shop

First Place: Barbers West, Fairlawn

Second Place: Michele’s Barber Shop, Cuyahoga Falls

Third Place: Fairlawn Plaza Barbers, Fairlawn

Honorable Mention: Highland Barber Shop, Highland Square

Best Local Hospital Maternity Ward

First Place: Akron General Hospital

Second Place: Summa/Akron City Hospital. 

One reader noted: "'Tall’ Donna is the best nurse in labor and delivery.”

Third Place: Summa Barberton

Honorable Mention: Medina Hospital

Best Local Real Estate Agent

First Place: Eric Cooper, Coldwell Banker

Second Place: Rich Lubinski

Best Local Cooking Class

First Place: Western Reserve School of Cooking, Hudson

Second Place: Mustard Seed Market and Café, Montrose

Third Place: Ms. Julie’s Kitchen, Akron. 

Honorable Mention: The Cucina at Gervasi Vineyard, Canton

Best Local Antique Shop/Retro Décor Shop

First Place: The Bomb Shelter, Akron

Second Place (tie): Abbey Ann’s, Tallmadge, and Stagecoach Antiques, Akron

Third Place (tie): Givits Thrift and Recycle, Stow, and Land of Plenty, Akron

Best Local Women’s Clothing Store

First Place: NOTO, Akron

Second Place (tie): The Grey Colt, Hudson, and Revival, Highland Square

Third Place: Carnaby Street Style, Kent

Honorable Mention (tie): Ino’s, Fairlawn, and La Ti Da, Hudson

Best Local Consignment Shop

First Place: Glitzy Finds, Fairlawn

Second Place: Second to None, Fairlawn

Third Place: Pieces, Cuyahoga Falls

Honorable Mention: Gerri’s Closet, Uniontown, and Lil Frog Fashions, Cuyahoga Falls

Best Local Jeweler

First Place: Kimberly Jewelers, Akron

Second Place: Jewelry Art, Hudson

Third Place (tie): Sam’s Emporium, Akron, and Taylor Made Jewelry, Akron

Honorable Mention: Glenn Fisher Jewelry Inc., Akron

Best Local Place for Splurge Shoes

First Place: Lucky Shoes, multiple locations

Second Place: Carnaby Street Style, Kent

Third Place (tie): Long’s Shoes, Stow, and Second Sole, multiple locations

Honorable Mention: Winds of Change, Hudson

Best Local Art Gallery

First Place: Don Drumm Studios & Gallery, Akron

Second Place: Akron Art Museum

Third Place (tie): Summit ArtSpace, Akron, and We Gallery, Akron

Honorable Mention: Akrona Gallery, Akron

Best Local Independent Bookstore

First Place: The Learned Owl, Hudson

Second Place: The Bookseller, Akron

Third Place: Snowball Bookshop, Barberton

Honorable Mention: Project: LEARN of Medina County’s The Book Shelf, Medina

Best Local Toy Store

First Place: My Little Red Wagon, Hudson

Second Place: Smartickles Toy Store, Medina

Third Place: Off the Wagon, Kent

Best Local Bike Shop

First Place: Eddy’s Bike Shop, Stow and Montrose

Second Place: Century Cycles, Peninsula and Medina

Third Place (tie): Marty’s Bike Shop, Stow, and Falls Wheel and Wrench Bike Shop, Cuyahoga Falls

Honorable Mention: Blimp City Bike & Hike, Akron

Best New Local Store (last 12 months)

First Place: Land of Plenty, Akron

Second Place: Rust & Found, Canal Fulton

Third Place (tie): MOD: Matter of Design, Hudson, and The Market Path, Kent

Foodand Drink

Best Local Farmers’ Market

First Place: Countryside Conservancy – Highland Square, Howe Meadow and Old Trail locations

Second Place: Hudson Farmers’ Market, Hudson

Third Place: Szalay’s Farm, Peninsula

Honorable Mention: Haymaker Farmers’ Market, Kent

Best Locally Made Pie

First Place: Gardner Pie, Akron

Second Place: Hartville Kitchen, Hartville.

Readers can’t get enough of the butterscotch cream and strawberry.

Third Place: West Side Bakery, Akron

Honorable Mention (tie): Osman’s Pies, Akron, and The Waterloo Restaurant, Akron

Best Local Ethnic Market

First Place: DeVitis Fine Italian Foods, Akron

Second Place: Hana Asian Market, Akron

Third Place: West Point Market, Akron

Honorable Mention: Sanabel Middle East Bakery, Akron

Best Local Vegetarian Menu

First Place: Aladdin’s Eatery, multiple locations

Second Place: Mustard Seed Market and Café, Montrose

Third Place: Ms. Julie’s Kitchen, Akron

Honorable Mention: Saffron Patch, Akron

Best Local Gluten-Free Menu

First Place: Mustard Seed Market and Café, Montrose

Second Place: Ms. Julie’s Kitchen, Akron

Third Place (tie): Altieri’s Pizza, Stow, and Jilly’s Music Room, Akron

Honorable Mention: Aladdin’s Eatery, multiple locations, and Bricco, Akron

Best Local Ethnic Restaurant

First Place: Aladdin’s Eatery, multiple locations

Second Place: Saffron Patch, Akron

Third Place: Cilantro, Akron

Best Local Breakfast

First Place: The Blue Door Bakery and Café, Cuyahoga Falls

Second Place: The Eye Opener, Akron

Third Place (tie): Hudson’s Restaurant, Hudson, and Michael’s A.M., Akron

Honorable Mention (tie): Akron Family Restaurant, Akron, and Wally Waffle, Highland Square

Best Local Family-Friendly Dining

First Place: Hudson’s Restaurant, Hudson and Montrose

Second Place: Rockne’s, multiple locations

Third Place: Dontino’s, Akron

Honorable Mention: Parasson’s, multiple locations

Best Pizza

First Place: Luigi’s, Akron

Second Place: Gionino’s, multiple locations

Third Place: 3 Palms, Hudson

Honorable Mention (tie): Mr. G’s Pizzeria and Wings, Fairlawn, and Rocco’s Pizza, Cuyahoga Falls and Stow

Best Local Wings

First Place: Winking Lizard Tavern, multiple locations

Second Place: The Basement at Waterloo, Akron

Third Place: Wing Warehouse, multiple locations

Honorable Mention: On Tap, multiple locations

Best Local Burger

First Place: Swensons Drive In, multiple locations

Second Place: The Rail, Fairlawn

Third Place: Flip Side, Hudson

Honorable Mention: Louie’s Bar and Grille, Akron

Best Local French Fries

First Place: Swensons Drive In, multiple locations

Second Place: The Rail’s truffle fries, Fairlawn

Third Place (tie): Flip Side, Hudson, and Rockne’s, multiple locations

Honorable Mention (tie): Hamburger Station, multiple locations, and Skyway Drive-In, Fairlawn

Best Local Sushi

First Place: Sakura Sushi House, Montrose

Second Place (tie): Cilantro, Akron, and House of Hunan, multiple locations

Third Place: Sushi Katsu, Akron

Honorable Mention: Big Eye Japanese Cuisine and Sushi Bar, Fairlawn

Best Local Bakery

First Place: West Side Bakery, multiple locations

Second Place: A Cupcake A Day, Medina

Third Place: The Blue Door Bakery and Café, Cuyahoga Falls

Honorable Mention: The “awesome crème sticks” at Crest Bakery, Akron

Best Local Ice Cream

First Place: Strickland’s, multiple locations

Second Place: Handel’s, multiple locations

Third Place: Mary Coyle Ice Cream, Akron

Honorable Mention: Pav’s, multiple locations

Best Local Food Truck

First Place: The Orange Trük

Second Place: Swensons

Third Place: Eddie’s Cheesesteaks

Honorable Mention: Wholly Frijoles

Best Local Patio Dining

First Place: Beau’s Grille, Montrose

Second Place: Sarah’s Vineyard, Cuyahoga Falls

Third Place: Edgar’s, Akron

Honorable Mention: DBA, Akron

Best Local Chef

First Place: Victor Todaro, Piscazzi's The Merchant Tavern, Akron

Second Place: Dante Boccuzzi, DBA, Akron

Third Place: Steve Sabo, The Orange Trük

Honorable Mention (tie): Beau Schmidt, Beau’s, and Roger Thomas, Fiore's Italian Steakhouse(formerly of Sheraton Suites)

Best New Local Restaurant (last 12 months)

First Place: Burntwood Tavern, Cuyahoga Falls

Second Place: Piscazzi's The Merchant Tavern, Akron

Third Place: Nuevo Modern Mexican and Tequila Bar, Akron

Honorable Mention: Bricco, Kent

Best Local Coffeehouse

First Place: Angel Falls Coffee Company, Akron

Second Place: Nervous Dog Coffee Bar, multiple locations

Third Place: Scribbles Coffee Co., Kent

Honorable Mention: Tree City Coffee and Pastry, Kent

Best Local Winery

First Place: The Winery at Wolf Creek, Akron

Second Place: Sarah’s Vineyard, Cuyahoga Falls

Third Place: Gervasi Vineyard, Canton

Honorable Mention: Maize Valley Winery, Hartville

Best Local Bar

First Place: The Lockview, Akron

Second Place: The Basement at Waterloo, Akron

Third Place: Ray’s Place, Kent

Honorable Mention: The Office Bistro, Akron and Cuyahoga Falls

Best Locally-Brewed Beer

First Place: Thirsty Dog Brewing Co., Akron

Second Place: The Double Pumpkin Ale at Hoppin’ Frog Brewery, Akron

Third Place: MapCap Brew Co., Stow

Honorable Mention: Great Lakes Brewing Company, Cleveland

Best Local Bartender

First Place: Nick Kaluger, The Basement at Waterloo, Akron

Second Place: Jimmy Finley, Hudson’s Restaurant, Hudson

Third Place (tie): Alex Bryson, Tito’s Mexican Grill, Fairlawn, and Joe Lytz, Sarah’s Vineyard, Cuyahoga Falls

Best Local Fine Artist

First Place: Don Drumm

Second Place: Ron White

Third Place (4-way tie): Allie Jackson, of Allie M. Designs; Amy Mothersbaugh Roos, Ben Manista and Claudia Zeber-Martel

Best Local Performing Artist

First Place: Zach Freidhof

Second Place: The Black Keys

Third Place (3-way tie): Dan Wilson, Mike Lenz and Rachel Roberts

Best Local Rising Star Athlete

First Place: LeBron James

Second Place (3-way tie): Dante Booker Jr., Rachel Tecca and Shawn Porter

Best Local Radio Show Host

First Place: Keith Kennedy, WKDD

Second Place: Bill Hall, WAPS

Third Place: Ray Horner, WAKR

Honorable Mention: John “Couchburner” Denning, WNIR

Best Local Band/Musician

First Place: The Black Keys

Second Place: Shivering Timbers

Third Place (4-way tie): Brad Wagner, Rachel Roberts, The Singular and Zach Freidhof

Best Local Tweeter/Blogger

First Place: Joanna Wilson and Brit Charek, Akron Empire

Second Place: Jessica Morris, The Incredibly True Adventures of Tattoobunny

Third Place: Emma Day, Carnaby Street Style

Honorable Mention (4-way tie): Akron Zoo; Cindy Orley, Akron Ohio Moms; Dina’s Days and Todd V

Best Local Personal Trainer

First Place: Cody Leach, The Spa at Yellow Creek

Second Place: Scott Claypoole, Masters in Motion

Third Place: Brian Kennell, Summa Wellness Institute, Hudson

Honorable Mention (3-way tie): Brian Parana, Keith Syx and Mike Smeltzer

Best Local Rookie Politician

First Place: Senator Frank LaRose (R), Ohio Senate District 27

Second Place (tie): Emilia Sykes, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives 34^th District, and Rich Swirsky, Akron City Councilman Ward 1