By Megan Delong, Everyday Akron team member
If you’re anything like me, you love a little trinket. Or maybe you love being a tourist in your own city. (I’m guilty of both!) Perhaps you have friends and family visiting you in Akron and they want something special and locally made to commemorate the trip.
Whatever the reason, I hope you find this list of gift shops and local artists helpful for your next gift giving occasion! Here are some of my favorite spots to get Akron merchandise.
Northside Marketplace
This space is ever-changing and filled with food stands (like Plannerz Place Eatery – SO GOOD!), small businesses that are mentioned in ZipsGuide, and more! Did you know that they host a variety of classes there?
Just a Dad From Akron Retail Store
Shop locally designed and printed tees and more at this shop in Kenmore.
Akron Art Museum Gift Shop
Find the cutest postcards of Akron neighborhoods here!
Mustard Seed Market
In addition to their incredible selection of health-focused groceries, you can find great midwest- and Akron-themed stickers! Check near the registers.
Akron RubberDucks Retail Shop
This Minor League Baseball team offers so many good hats and merch for fans. In fact, have you seen their Akron-specific lines of Cheese Salads, French Dressing, and the Galley Boys??
Eighty-Three Brewery
This micro brewery, located in the Middlebury Neighborhood on East Market St., has stickers, glassware, clothing, and NORKA Soda! Um, yes please!
Akron Bazaar
Watch for these pop-up craft shows featuring tons of local artists!
Gardener of Bath
This local shop features the “unusual, artisanal and sometimes irreverent.” You’re bound to find something for everyone on your list, plus a little treat for yourself.
>> Watch our interview with Heather from Gardener of Bath
The University of Akron Bookstore
Located in The University of Akron Student Union and Polsky Building, you can get apparel that screams your love for Akron and the Zips!
Summit Artspace
This gallery is filled with work by local artists. They host a quarterly ArtWalk and tons of other events to view exhibitions and purchase from the artists.
Akron Honey
If you need a tasty gift, snag a jar of beloved Akron Honey at stores around town.
The Cummings Center for the History of Psychology
The center offers psychology-specific merch from the Museum of Psychology, as well as t-shirts, stickers of postcards in the Institute for Human Science and Culture’s collection, and historical references in Akron that any history buff will love.
House Three Thirty Retail Shop
Located in West Hill, the LeBron James Family Foundation drops new merchandise every month. They have some of the coolest Akron-based t shirts, stickers, and bracelets in the area.
The Social Department
Located in Cuyahoga Falls, this boutique offers a variety of locally designed tees that shout out everything from trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park to jojos – our area’s beloved potato product. They also offer other clothing, pint glasses, posters and more.
Rubber City Clothing
If you’re looking for custom designs, they’ve got you covered! They also have a ton of pre-made designs for Akron neighborhoods. And yes, they can print them on more than apparel.
Maple Leaf Gifts
Located at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, this gift shop has Summit Metro Parks merch to show your local outdoorsy pride, along with locally-made items, gear for exploring the outdoors and more.
Peninsula Trail Mix Store
This gift shop supports Cuyahoga Valley National Park and has the merch to prove it. Shop tees, books, regional art, gifts and more.
CLE Custom Shirts
Located right on Exchange St. near The University of Akron, you won’t miss this building as it has a giant mural on the side. Don’t forget to go into the parking lot and take a selfie with the selfie stations on the mural before you look for embroidered or screen printed t-shirts and other apparel in the shop!
The Peanut Shoppe
Right in the heart of Downtown Akron, they’ve been offering nuts, chocolates, candies and other sweets since the 1930s.
Summit County Historical Society
Their gift shop, the Wood Shed Emporium, offers local books, Mutton Hill merch, locally made gifts and more. (Note: They’re open during scheduled tours and special events. Or, call to make an appointment.)
Akron Bicentennial shop
Shop online or at an Akron 200 event! Pick up tees, totes, hats, posters, limited edition playing cards and more to celebrate Akron’s history.
Mary Coyle Ice Cream
Shop Akron-themed merch and a variety of Goodyear Blimp branded items in the heart of Highland Square.
7th Floor Clothing
This Black-owned brand has tees and hoodies that scream Akron.
Don Drumm Studios and Gallery
Shop one-of-a-kind metal art by a true Akron legend. You can see Don’s sculptures around town, and buy something for yourself in the brightly colored shop in University Park.
Coffee Shops in Akron
For the caffeine crazed, pop by Akron’s numerous coffee shops for mugs, hats, tees and more with their logos and unique designs.
Looking for more souvenirs and gifts?
Find even more Akron-area ideas in our recent Favorite Things Gift Guide created by the Everyday Akron team. Even if you live out of town, you can likely shop for many of these items online to have a piece of home shipped to your doorstep.
What would you buy for that special Akron fan in your life? What are we missing?
This blog post was written by Megan Delong-Borick, a Middlebury neighbor and advocate. She enjoys bird watching, walking her dog, and finding new restaurants to enjoy with friends.
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