First Place: Off The Wagon
Off the Wagon brings a playful and unconventional shopping experience to downtown Kent, offering a wide range of novelty gifts, games and pop culture items.
Located in Acorn Alley, the shop attracts customers of all ages looking for something fun or unexpected.
Employee Orion G’afurbekov said the store’s welcoming environment is a big reason customers continue to return.
“I would say it’s the friendly staff and atmosphere that keeps them coming back,” G’afurbekov said.
Haleigh Danford, a senior nursing major, echoed that statement.
“My experience has always been really positive,” Danford said. “The workers are always so nice and welcoming, which makes the whole shopping experience feel even more enjoyable and relaxed.”
The shop’s large selection of toys, games and trinkets also play a major role in the appeal.
“It’s a shop of unique and eclectic gifts and toys,” G’afurbekov said. “It’s a very fun shopping experience compared to big box stores.”
Danford said she often visits the store for gifts and small finds.
“I’ve bought a variety of things—fun little trinkets, gifts for friends and some Jellycats,” she said. “My favorite would be the Jellycats because they’re incredibly soft, cute, and make perfect gifts or comfort items.”
From quirky trinkets to trending items, Off The Wagon continues to evolve with customer interests.
“As for new products, we get in a lot of NeeDoh items at the moment, which are pretty popular,” G’afurbekov said.
The store also appeals to families, offering a variety of items for younger shoppers.
“We also have a pretty good kids section with a lot of kid-friendly toys and games for them to play,” G’afurbekov said.
Off The Wagon remains active in the community by participating in Main Street Kent events, which bring new customers into the store.
Danford described the store as a destination that always leaves an impression.
“It’s a warm, inviting shop that’s full of unique and playful items,” she said. “It’s the kind of place where you can wander around and always find something fun, whether it’s a small trinket or the perfect unique gift.”
Off The Wagon is open daily. Their hours Monday through Friday are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Their hours on Saturday are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and their Sunday hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Off The Wagon can be found at 152 E. Main St. or reached at 330-474-1330.
Second Place: Hippie Fox Rocks
Hippie Fox Rocks adds a colorful touch to Kent’s shopping scene, offering crystals, jewelry and other handmade items. Opened in 2022, the shop’s vibrant displays and welcoming atmosphere create an inviting space for customers interested in self-expression and one-of-a-kind pieces.
Owner Jared Abel said the store’s staff is a major reason for its popularity and strong reputation in the community.
“I really think we get a lot of compliments on how awesome our staff is,” Abel said. “We get tons of great reviews … people from Cleveland even come here because of how much cheaper our crystals are compared to other stores.”
Customers are drawn to a variety of items, from clothing to crystals, giving shoppers plenty of options for personal style and gifts.
“Right now, people love our hippie pants,” Abel said. “As far as crystals go, our fire opals are probably the most popular thing.”
Hippie Fox Rocks also connects with younger shoppers through social media platforms such as TikTok.
“We went from zero followers to almost 2,000 in just a couple months,” Abel said. “That’s definitely helped us connect with younger people.”
He added that fair prices are another reason students keep coming back.
“Later this year, we’ll be celebrating our five-year anniversary,” he said. “We’re planning a big party for that, and details will come along.”
Hippie Fox Rocks is open daily, with weekday hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekend hours from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The shop’s Instagram provides updates on new crystals and upcoming events.
Hippie Fox Rocks can be found at 155 E. Erie St. or reached at 234-544-6019.
Third Place: Last Exit Books and Coffeehouse
Last Exit Books and Coffeehouse combines a love of literature with a cozy, welcoming environment in downtown Kent. Located at 124 E. Main St., the shop offers a wide selection of used and new books, coffee, and a space where students and community members can unwind.
“We are more than just a coffee shop or a store,” said Cassady Schnippel, a manager at Last Exit. “Having coffee, books and records all in one place creates a spot for people to hang out.”
The shop provides a welcoming atmosphere where people can feel at home.
“We just try to cultivate a safe space where people can study, grab a coffee or hang out with friends while exploring everything we offer,” Schnippel said.
The shop’s seasonal drinks are another major draw, keeping customers coming back throughout the year.
“Every three months we rotate our seasonal specialty drinks, which are always extremely popular,” Schnippel said. “Our $1.50 eight ounce coffee and chai tea lattes are favorites, too.”
From books to records, customers keep returning for both classic and contemporary favorites.
“Jane Austen is always popular, and for records, people come back for Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and classics like the Beatles, Nirvana and Led Zeppelin,” Schnippel said.
Schnippel hopes first-time visitors experience the full range of what Last Exit offers.
“We want people to grab a drink of their choice and walk around seeing all the books, records and physical media we have to offer,” she said.
Events like open poetry readings and open mic nights are also featured on their Instagram, which allows the community more ways to connect with the shop.
Last Exit Books and Coffeehouse is open daily. Their hours Sunday through Thursday are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday’s hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Last Exit Books and Coffeehouse can be found at 124 E. Main St. and reached at 330-677-4499.
Savannah Carroll is a hard beat reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
Lyla Hughes is a reporter for KSTV. Contact her at [email protected]
