Where to go in Akron: Highland Square
By Dan Lukens // photos by Dave Sutula // 1akron.com
When you think about city neighborhoods, images of the East Village, Chicago's South Side, Haight-Ashbury or even Ohio City come to mind. ALthough it's not a city on the scale of New York, Chicago or even Cleveland, Akron has always had many unique neighborhoods. From Kenmore and Goodyear Heights to Rolling Acres, each neighborhood has a distinct history and culture shaped by the industries and people located in it. Akron is a diverse city and each of its neighborhoods adds something to the city's unique cultural identity.
One of my favorite neighborhoods is Highland Square. Highland Square is a community built around the historic Highland Theatre. It is notable for its well-populated residential neighborhoods and its thriving business district. The majority of the businesses in Highland Square are located on West Market Street, Highland Square's major thoroughfare. The neighborhood is known for being eclectic, stylish and progressive, with a firm dedication to the arts and a sense of open-mindedness in the community that makes people from all walks of life feel welcome. I originally discovered Highland Square when I went to a record shop in the area, Square Records, and a clothing store, Revival. Both of these businesses were very unique and had an edgy, but welcoming atmosphere, their individuality and unqiue sense of culture attracted me to the area right away. Now I enjoy Highland Square's rich social scene. The neighborhood has several exceptional bars, my favorite being the sophisticated Annabell's, but there is something for everyone in the square - from The Red Square that caters to alternative lifestyles to Frank's which draws locals and suburbanites alike. The thing about establishments in the square is that each establishment has a unique feeling of community and style.
Music, art, food, drinks, and good people -- Highland Square is truely one of the most impressive pieces of Akron's diverse culture. The great thing about Akron’s many neighborhoods is that each of them seems to represent a specific personality, so everyone in Akron has a place where they can fit in.