Akron Bazaar finds new home for eight months of markets at historic 159 S. Main downtown

Kerry Clawson, Akron Beacon Journal
·3 min read
Shannon Okey, founder of Cleveland Bazaar, poses at the vault door of the former Second National Bank in The 159 Main building in downtown Akron on March 1. The space will be the new home of Akron Bazaar.
Shannon Okey, founder of Cleveland Bazaar, poses at the vault door of the former Second National Bank in The 159 Main building in downtown Akron on March 1. The space will be the new home of Akron Bazaar.

Akron Bazaar was such a success in its first event Thanksgiving weekend in downtown Akron that organizers have planned eight months of events at a new venue downtown at 159 S. Main St., at the corner of South Main and Bowery.

Shannon Okey, founder of Cleveland Bazaar, launched Akron Bazaar Nov. 25 and 26 as a replacement event for Crafty Mart after its board canceled the 15th annual Holiday Market for the same dates.

At the first Akron Bazaar, local and regional artists and makers sold their handmade goods at Bounce Innovation Hub and the nearby brew floor at the now-closed R. Shea Brewing Company downtown.

10 Akron Bazaar markets through 2024

Now, after collaborating with Downtown Akron Partnership, Akron Bazaar will host 10 markets at its new space through 2024 to coincide with downtown festivals and other events.

The markets will kick off with Akron Bazaar: Total Eclipse of the (Market) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 6, the weekend leading up to the eclipse, at 159 S. Main St.

"We were overwhelmed with the positive response to our holiday market in November and we decided we would definitely be back in 2024," Okey said. "We reached out to Downtown Akron Partnership, who put us in touch with the owner of 159 S. Main. They are developing half of the large ground floor as an event space and asked if we'd be willing to program at least one market a month. After seeing the building, we immediately said yes. It's an amazing place with both a storied history and lots of potential."

See Akron Bazaar on Facebook or akronbazaar.org for more information.

Here's the rest of the Akron Bazaar event schedule at 159 S. Main St. (festival dates are subject to change):

● Akron Bazaar: Mother's Day 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 11.

● Akron Bazaar: Summer Nights 4 to 8 p.m. June 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 29. Coincides with Akron's downtown Rib, White and Blue Festival.

● Akron Bazaar: Summer in the City 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 20. Coincides with Akron African American Festival.

● Akron Bazaar: Buona Festa 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 3. Coincides with the Italian-American Festival, Council of Italian American Societies of Summit County.

● Akron Bazaar: Pride 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 24. Coincides with Akron Pride Festival.

● Akron Bazaar: ArtWalk x City Fest 4 to 9 p.m. Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 7. Coincides with Akron Art Walk.

● Akron Bazaar: This is Halloween 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 19. Coincides with Downtown Fall Fest by Downtown Akron Partnership.

● Akron Bazaar: Coffee In An IV 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 2. Coincides with Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival by Downtown Akron Partnership.

● Akron Bazaar Holiday 4 to 9 p.m. Nov. 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 1. Coincides with Akron's annual Welcome Santa Parade Nov. 29.

Shannon Okey, founder of Cleveland Bazaar, poses in the vault of the former Second National Bank at The 159 Main building in downtown Akron on March 1. The space will be the new home of Akron Bazaar.
Shannon Okey, founder of Cleveland Bazaar, poses in the vault of the former Second National Bank at The 159 Main building in downtown Akron on March 1. The space will be the new home of Akron Bazaar.

More about 159 Main

Developer Tom Rybak owns the 11-story landmark building at 159 S. Main St., now called 159 Main. The 113-year-old property was formerly called the Law Building. Before that, it was called the Key Building and housed KeyBank until 2011. The building now has luxury apartments on its upper floors.

Arts and restaurant writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Bazaar plans 10 markets at new downtown Akron venue