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🗞️ Six New Reasons to Leave Akron

🗞️ Six New Reasons to Leave Akron

May 09, 2025

Good Morning, Akron!

Headed to the airport this summer with your trusty old driver's license? Not so fast!

Starting this week, TSA is finally enforcing those REAL ID requirements this week after approximately 73 deadline extensions. While agents are using "discretion" during the transition (translation: chaotic inconsistency at every airport), you might want to avoid becoming the person holding up the security line while frantically calling someone to find your passport.

Your options:

Upgrade to a REAL ID
Bring your passport
Try your luck with the TSA agent lottery (bold strategy!)

Consider yourself warned, Akronites. The only thing worse than airplane food is missing your flight entirely.

Let’s dive in to this week’s newsletter.

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The Digest

Akron's Blight Battle Shows Promising Results 🏚️

Akron is tackling abandoned properties at an impressive pace, with 88 blighted residential structures demolished in just the first four months of 2025. The initiative is part of the city's broader strategy to improve public safety and neighborhood vitality. According to Eufrancia Lash, Akron's director of neighborhood assistance, removing these dangerous structures increases surrounding property values and restores community pride. What's next? Another 50 properties, both residential and commercial, are slated for removal this year as part of the city's ongoing urban renewal efforts.

Breeze Airways Expands with Six New Destinations from Akron-Canton ✈️

Vacation options are multiplying for Northeast Ohio travelers as Breeze Airways announced six exciting new destinations from Akron-Canton Airport starting this fall. The expansion includes five Florida routes (Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Key West, and West Palm Beach) plus Wilmington, North Carolina. This major service expansion comes just weeks before Breeze opens its new crew base at CAK, which is expected to bring more than 60 jobs to the area over the next three years. With these additions, Breeze will now serve an impressive 16 direct routes from the airport, significantly enhancing travel options for local residents looking to escape to warmer destinations during the upcoming fall and winter seasons.

Shopping Revival: Big Lots and ALDI Make Retail Comeback 🛒

Akron's retail landscape is getting a significant boost with multiple store openings on the horizon. Big Lots is reopening five shuttered locations in the Greater Akron area on June 5, following their acquisition by Variety Wholesalers after bankruptcy.

Meanwhile, the West Market Plaza will welcome a new ALDI grocery store at 1890 West Market Street, with a grand opening scheduled for May 22. These reopenings signal renewed confidence in the local retail economy and provide residents with more shopping options just in time for summer. For bargain hunters, this means two beloved discount retailers are making their triumphant return.

Library Bond Passes as Voters Support Key Initiatives 📚

Akron voters have approved Issue 18, a significant win for the Akron-Summit County Public Library system. The measure will provide $160 million over 20 years for renovating, modernizing, and improving library facilities throughout the district. Homeowners within the library's district will pay $35 annually for each $100,000 of appraised property value, with the first payments due in 2026. With these funds, the library will address critical facility needs and continue expanding services to meet growing community demands. Ohio Issue 2, which authorizes infrastructure bonds, was also on the ballot.

To see all the results in Summit County from Tuesday’s Special Election, check here.

What’s Happening

Here is our list of hand-picked events around the area:

Sax Appeal and Soul Legends 🎷

Walter Beasley, acclaimed saxophonist and the highest-selling full-time Professor/Recording Artist in history, will perform at the Goodyear Theater on Saturday at 7:30 PM. Known as the "heir to Grover Washington Jr.'s throne," Beasley brings his melodic jazz stylings to Akron with special openers The Band With No Name, featuring Ohio Players legends Billy Beck and Rick Ward. Expect a night where jazz, funk, and soul converge in an unforgettable musical experience that showcases Beasley's virtuoso saxophone skills alongside these music icons from Ohio's rich musical heritage. Info Here.

A Masterful Musical Monument 🎵

The Akron Symphony Orchestra presents Verdi's Requiem at E.J. Thomas Hall on Saturday at 8:00 PM. This stirring and soaring musical tour de force will feature the combined talents of the orchestra and the Akron Symphony Chorus, delivering a powerful emotional journey through contrasting moments of beautiful melodies and intense musical peaks. Experience this emotionally moving masterpiece that serves as the grand finale of the Akron Symphony's 2024/25 season. The majestic composition, with its dramatic intensity and profound depths, showcases Verdi's unparalleled ability to blend musical grandeur with intimate emotion. Info Here.

Magical Moments at House Three Thirty ✨

Experience an enchanting evening at The Alan's Magic Show at House Three Thirty on Saturday at 7:30 PM. House Three Thirty, part of the LeBron James Family Foundation, continues its mission of bringing quality entertainment to Akron with this captivating performance. This adults-only show promises to deliver mind-bending illusions and spectacular magic tricks that will leave audiences spellbound. Located in the vibrant entertainment space at 532 W. Market Street, the venue offers the perfect atmosphere for an evening of wonder and amazement in the heart of Akron. Info Here.

All Aboard for a Mexican Fiesta 🌮🚂

Spice up your Friday night with La Vida Loco at the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, departing from Akron Northside Depot on Friday at 6:30 PM. This two-hour Mexican-themed train excursion offers two unique experiences to choose from: a Mexican-themed wine tasting, or a thrilling murder mystery. Whichever you choose, this fiesta on rails promises a vibrant evening through the scenic Cuyahoga Valley without needing a passport. (Note that the Happy Hour and Bingo tickets are sold out) Info Here

Rubber Ducks Take the Field 🦆 ⚾️

With beautiful weather in the forecast, it's the ideal weekend to catch the Akron RubberDucks in action against the Somerset Patriots at Canal Park. The weekend starts with Star Wars Night on Friday at 7:05 PM, transforming the ballpark into a galaxy far, far away. Fans will encounter their favorite characters throughout the stadium, with the evening concluding with spectacular Star Wars-themed fireworks lighting up the Akron sky like the twin suns of Tatooine.

Saturday brings the Women's Sports Celebration at 6:05 PM, featuring a pre-game panel with female sports executives and culminating in a dazzling Powerhouse Pop Queen themed fireworks display.

The series wraps up on Sunday at 1:05 PM with special Mother's Day promotions.. With clear skies and warm temperatures all weekend, there's no better time to enjoy America's pastime in downtown Akron. Info Here.

Mother’s Day Roundup 💓

If you’re looking for some activities to do with Mom, here are a few around the area:

Akron Zoo is giving free membership to Mom and Grandma from 10:00 - 5:00 Sunday.

Akron Art Museum is also free for Mom’s on Sunday 11:00 - 5:00.

Rubber Ducks are doing a picnic for Mother’s Day. You have to buy tickets in Tiki Terrace section - the Picnic starts when the gates open and runs for 2.5 hours. Tickets Here

Stan Hywet is doing complimentary tours for all Moms Sunday 10:00 - 6:00.

Akron Weekend Movie Action 🎬️ 🎥

Nightlight Theatre

The Legend of Ochi
“In a remote village on the island of Carpathia, a shy farm girl named Yuri is raised to fear an elusive animal species known as ochi. But when Yuri discovers a wounded baby ochi has been left behind, she escapes on a quest to bring him home.”
Rotten Tomatoes: 78%
Showtimes
The Third Man
“In postwar Vienna, Austria, Holly Martins, a writer of pulp Westerns, arrives penniless as a guest of his childhood chum Harry Lime, only to learn he has died. Martins develops a conspiracy theory after learning of a "third man" present at the time of Harry's death, running into interference from British officer Major Calloway, and falling head-over-heels for Harry's grief-stricken lover, Anna.”
Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
Showtimes

Highland Theatre

Thunderbolts
In "Thunderbolts*," Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes -- Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker. After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Will this dysfunctional group tear themselves apart, or find redemption and unite as something much more before it's too late? (Rotten Tomatoes)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Showtimes

Live Music Breakdown

Here is a summary of live music happening all around Akron this weekend:

Friday

Saturday

Weather

Today

59 🌡️ 37 | ⛅️ | 1% 🌧️

Saturday

70 🌡️ 47 | ☀️ | 2% 🌧️

Sunday

73 🌡️ 50 | ☀️ | 0% 🌧️

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Talk to you next Friday!