Square Scullery rebrands Highland Square restaurant as Meow Bao to open later this month

Kerry Clawson, Akron Beacon Journal
Updated ·2 min read

Square Scullery "let the cat out of the bag" Friday, revealing that Meow Bao is the name of its rebranded restaurant soon to launch in Highland Square.

The tiny Square Scullery, known for its inventive, scratch-made meals, had been operating as a ramen and bao restaurant with truncated days and hours since late March as restaurant owners Matt and Heather Ulichney worked on renovating their new, 60-seat Square Scullery restaurant in North Hill, at 778 N. Main St.

That move to North Hill was prompted by a shutdown of the original Highland Square restaurant for more than three months due to water damage from a burst boiler pipe Christmas Day.

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Saturday is the last day that Square Scullery as the community knows it will operate in Highland Square. It began as a full-service restaurant in the back of the American Legion Post 19 building in November 2019.

"It's bittersweet, as it's the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new," the owners said on Facebook Friday.

The Highland Square eatery will close temporarily as the owners transition to Meow Bao, which will open Nov. 25. Meow Bao will be an eclectic, quick, casual ramen and bao bar with a new menu, Heather Ulichney said. The eatery will offer counter service rather than the full service formerly offered at the Highland Square location.

Seating will be first come, first served and carryout ordering will be online. Meow Bao will be on DoorDash later in the future.

To follow developments on Meow Bao, see its Facebook page.

Thanksgiving orders

In the meantime, Square Scullery is taking Thanksgiving dinner orders online at www.eatscullery.com through Thursday. Pickup will be Nov. 22 at the North Hill restaurant at 778 N. Main St., which the Ulichneys acquired in January.

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Matt and Heather Ulichney, owners of Square Scullery, talk in January about their renovation plans for their restaurant to open in North Hill.
Matt and Heather Ulichney, owners of Square Scullery, talk in January about their renovation plans for their restaurant to open in North Hill.

Folks picking up their holiday orders will get a tour of the new North Hill spot.

The Ulichneys, who are working on obtaining final inspections and permits for the new Square Scullery space, have brought business partner Juan Gonzalez, owner of Wholly Frijoles, on board at the North Hill restaurant. They're aiming for an opening before the new year.

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: Square Scullery reveals Meow Bao eatery as new 'cat' in Highland Square