Good morning, Portage County. Retail resurrection is in full swing as Big Lots! prepares its phoenix-like return to Greater Akron. After bankruptcy threatened to permanently close these familiar storefronts, five local locations will reopen their doors on June 5 under new ownership, bringing the familiar yellow exclamation point back to shopping centers in Akron, Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls, and Canton—albeit with a refreshed merchandise approach that includes more apparel and less furniture.
History takes center stage this week, both as a glimpse into the past and as a reminder of what bold vision can build. The Historic Chagrin Falls Home & Garden Tour offers rare access to five architectural gems on May 31, while a look back at Geauga Lake's 1969 transformation reveals how three former Cedar Point employees turned a modest amusement park into a Midwest destination with strategic investments in attractions like the thrilling Gold Rush water ride and its dramatic 40-foot plunge.
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☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🛍️ Big Lots rises from the ashes in Greater Akron. Five shuttered stores are set to reopen on June 5 under new ownership after the retailer's bankruptcy. Variety Wholesalers, based in North Carolina, purchased the Big Lots! name and selected retail leases, choosing locations in Akron, Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls, and Canton. The reopened stores will maintain the familiar logo and focus on liquidated merchandise, though with less furniture and expanded apparel options. This revival is part of a nationwide plan to reopen 219 Big Lots! stores, compared to the original chain's 900 locations before closure.
🏠 Historic Chagrin Falls homes open their doors for one special day. The annual Historic Chagrin Falls Home & Garden Tour returns on May 31, offering rare access to five historically significant residences and two local businesses. Visitors will explore homes that blend historic character with modern renovations, including an apartment above Evergreen Bakery and an Italianate home on West Washington Street. Each stop features docents sharing historical background, with tickets available for $30 in advance or $35 day-of through the Chagrin History Center, which organizes the tour as its primary fundraiser.
🎢 Geauga Lake's transformation began with a $1.5 million investment in 1969. Three former Cedar Point employees purchased the amusement park with ambitious plans to create a "Disneyland-type" experience for the four million people living within 50 miles. Each year saw approximately $1 million in upgrades, including a monorail, new rides, and a Western Village featuring the thrilling Gold Rush water ride with its 40-foot drop. By the late 1970s, these strategic investments had successfully established Geauga Lake as a premier Midwest amusement destination.
⚾ Baseball Scoreboard
The Aurora Greenmen found their groove Monday, snapping out of a slump with a 9-4 victory over Tallmadge in a Suburban-American showdown. These teams must really enjoy each other's company, as they're set for an immediate rematch on Wednesday.Meanwhile, Highland's pitching staff was dealing blanks against Roosevelt, shutting out the Rough Riders 4-0 to improve to an impressive 12-2 on the season. In what must be the scheduling quirk of the year, these teams will run it back immediately on Tuesday—giving Roosevelt virtually no time to figure out Highland's dominant pitching.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
Ravenna (5-11) | ||
@ Streetsboro | L 12-1 | |
Aurora (5-10) | ||
@ Tallmadge | W 9-4 | |
Streetsboro (10-4) | ||
vs Ravenna | W 12-1 | |
Tallmadge (6-10) | ||
vs Aurora | L 9-4 | |
Roosevelt (6-8) | ||
vs Highland | L 4-0 |
🥎 Softball Scoreboard
Field Falcons made quick work of Streetsboro on Monday, soaring to a 13-1 victory that left the Rockets searching for answers. The Falcons continue their impressive season at 14-5, while Streetsboro (also 13-5) will need to regroup before facing Cloverleaf.Aurora's bats came alive in a dominant 12-1 non-league victory over Twinsburg, improving their stellar record to 18-1. The Greenmen continue to look like serious contenders while the Tigers (11-7) will try to bounce back against winless Valley Forge.Rootstown showed no mercy in a 15-1 thrashing of Lake Center Christian, with the Rovers improving to 10-4 ahead of their matchup with 12-1 Mogadore. The Tigers dropped to 7-9 and face the unenviable task of rebuilding confidence against struggling Aquinas.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
Aurora (18-1) | ||
vs Twinsburg | W 12-1 | |
Streetsboro (13-5) | ||
vs Field | L 13-1 | |
Crestwood (2-13) | ||
vs Open Door Christian | W 9-0 | |
Field (14-5) | ||
@ Streetsboro | W 13-1 | |
Rootstown (10-4) | ||
vs Lake Center Christian | W 15-1 |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Historic gem needs TLC: Priced at $208,000, this century home boasts original woodwork, 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, sunroom, gas fireplace, and spacious backyard - offering the perfect blend of historic charm and modern comfort.
Spacious bright brick ranch home: List price: $215,000. This brick ranch home in Kent features a spacious three-bedroom layout with natural light, an eat-in kitchen with included appliances, a four-seasons room, and a two-car garage on a half-acre lot.
Updated home completely renovated: Listed at $249,999, this updated 4-bedroom home features renovated bathrooms, granite countertops, new kitchen appliances, and fresh carpeting, plus energy-efficient windows and a two-car garage with utilities.🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
🙏 In Remembrance
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