From mornings at Tree City Coffee to late nights at Barflyy, Kent State’s community has plenty of food and entertainment options thanks to the help of Main Street Kent, a non-profit organization focusing on the promotion and improvement of the City of Kent.
Community engagement and a passion for sticking to Kent’s roots make downtown a destination for students and locals. And this cool college town is getting noticed.
Recently, Heritage Ohio and Main Street America have .
Heather Malarcik, executive director of Main Street Kent, told Kent State Today that the accreditation comes from an evaluation from Heritage Ohio, looking for heritage preservation, financial stability, support for local businesses and more points of progress.
“Public and private partnerships, beautification projects and new business developments have helped bring downtown a new life,” Malarcik said. “There’s always something new going on, but we still hang on to some of the treasures that keep Kent interesting and keep people coming here.”
Malarcik said Main Street Kent is known for its events, such as the art and wine festival which helps highlight Ohio wineries, other downtown businesses and local artists. Helping the city embrace creativity is vital to downtown Kent’s thriving community and Kent State students are always getting involved.
Every year, Main Street Kent calls for art submissions so people can submit their graphic design work for new projects. Malarcik said several years ago, Kent State visual communication design students worked with Main Street Kent to create designs and develop them around town.
“It’s fun to get young, creative minds involved in what we're doing and get them to bring things to life,” Malarcik said. “People always want to be a part of what we're doing, so we have many opportunities for people to help us make a difference and support our businesses and community.”
Downtown, Kent State students have endless activities and opportunities for adventure, whether it's a quick bite or exploring the staple Kent shops near Main Street.
Alex Freemont, a sophomore in the Exploratory Program, said his job at Jimmy John’s isn’t only what brings him to downtown Kent. The plethora of bars keeps him coming back.
“My favorite downtown spot is definitely the Zephyr Pub patio where you can get drinks and order food from my favorite place, Taco Tontos,” Freemont said. “There is plenty of seating, as well as games like ping pong and Connect 4.”
The history of the many businesses located downtown is integral to the stories of Kent. Ray’s Place is one of the many beloved bar spots and has been holding onto its roots for over 80 years, attracting Kent State alumni, students and locals.
Alexander Marcavish, a junior accounting major, said he loves the versatility and atmosphere the bar offers throughout the day and night.
"Ray’s Place is a staple of the downtown bar scene in Kent that transforms from their amazing food during the day to a vibrant bar at night,” Marcavish said.
Abigail Holbert, a senior visual communication design major, said most of her favorite downtown Kent spots involve food, including Taco Tontos and Euro Gyro, after a fun night out.
“For anyone visiting downtown, I would tell them to explore Acorn Alley,” Holbert said. “Then stop and get some food at Taco Tontos to bring under the bridge by the water.”
Acorn Alley attracts many visitors, with spots ranging from boutiques and gift shops to upscale dining. Freemont said his favorite shop is Off the Wagon, a store in Acorn Alley that sells an assortment of toys, quirky gifts and games.
“Kent is a mixture of college students and locals who love many different things, like art and music,” Freemont said. “It’s a more low-key town for grabbing a coffee and sitting outside or just walking around to see the beautiful buildings and art scattered throughout Kent.”
Malarcik said Main Street Kent is looking forward to continuing to embrace the roots of downtown Kent and is always looking for ways to keep the community engaged, especially during the cold weather.
“We’re trying to get people out during some of the unpleasant Ohio weather,” Malarcik said. “Expanding our offerings to a wider audience and providing more opportunities throughout the year is our ultimate goal as we grow.”