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The independent news website of The Kent Stater & KSTV

KentStater

The independent news website of The Kent Stater & KSTV

KentStater

The independent news website of The Kent Stater & KSTV

KentStater

Community members visit local businesses in Acorn Alley in Downtown Kent.

Kent businesses struggle downtown

John Engoglia, Reporter November 28, 2024

Downtown Kent features a wide variety of businesses for all to enjoy. With bars, restaurants, coffee shops, clothing stores and more, it offers something for everyone.  Yet, it always seems there’s...

Upcycled goods for sale at the store Sun in Leo located in Acorn Alley. Oct. 17, 2024.

Sun in Leo provides low-cost, gender-affirming clothing during Rainbow Weekend

Kayla Gleason, Reporter November 1, 2024

Sun in Leo, a queer-owned store in downtown Kent that sells upcycled clothing and accessories, provided a space for LGBTQ+ vendors during Rainbow Weekend. Justine Gallo, owner of Sun in Leo, hosted...

Alley Mac is located in Acorn Alley in downtown Kent.

New mac and cheese focused restaurant opens in downtown Kent

Ana Julia Cechin Facco, Reporter September 6, 2024

Located next to Off the Wagon in Acorn Alley, Alley Mac offers mac and cheese, pierogies, salads and sandwiches all made with fresh ingredients.  The owners, Chuck Crawford and his wife Jessica, got...

Midnight Fairy Jewelry is located in Acorn Alley in downtown Kent.

Midnight Fairy Jewelry brings whimsical shopping experience to downtown Kent

Adriana Gasiewski, Reporter July 25, 2024

When walking into Midnight Fairy Jewelry, the assortment of gold mirrors, comfortable furniture and ethereal jewelry and accessories may catch customers’ eyes. Tasha Kardos, owner of Midnight Fairy...

Banner and games in Hometown Bank Plaza at the 2023 Wizardly Weekend.

Wizardly Weekend brings magic to Kent

Destiny Torres, Reporter July 31, 2023

Magic returned to Kent on Friday and Saturday as Wizardly Weekend made its annual appearance in the downtown area. “We’ve been doing this event for about eight years now,” Main Street Kent's executive...

Sun in Leo merges sustainability, community through fashion

Sage Mason, Reporter January 31, 2023

Upcycled and ethically sourced fashion is on its way to Acorn Alley. Sun in Leo is opening its doors this weekend and will feature clothing, jewelry and accessories that are handmade or locally sourced. Justine...

One of the pride flag banners on the Main Street bridge shown vandalized.

Pride flag banners vandalized in downtown Kent

Alton Northup, Staff Reporter October 14, 2022

Several pride flag banners hanging on the Main Street bridge in downtown Kent were found vandalized Thursday. The banners were on display for just a week as part of Main Street Kent’s Rainbow Weekend,...

Carnaby Street Style announced their closing on Instagram.

Changes to Downtown Kent 2020-2021

Chloe Zofchak Reporter April 28, 2021

Kent is known for being the college town with a tight-knit community of students, families, businesses and more. People come from near and far towns to enjoy the scenery and frequent social events Kent...

Water Street Tavern.

The deal with downtown Kent: How local restaurants are adjusting to COVID-19

Morgan McGrath Reporter February 11, 2021

As we approach the one year anniversary of COVID-19’s appearance in the U.S., colleges across the country are continuously making necessary implementations of social distancing and online learning in...

The Fruit Stand opened on Jan. 5 at 175 E Erie St.

The Fruit Stand opens in Acorn Alley

Chloe Zofchak Reporter January 30, 2021

The Fruit Stand, a new vegan restaurant in Kent, started offering a fully customizable menu on Jan. 5 at 175 E Erie St., the former location of Popped! in Acorn Alley.The Fruit Stand brings a different...

Current downtown of Kent, Ohio on March 2, 2020. 

How improvements made to Downtown Kent affect students today

Theresa Lovrak Reporter March 2, 2020

The year is 2002. As a college student at Kent State you have just a few options when it comes to entertainment downtown, and even fewer if you aren’t twenty-one. “The student body were the people...

Norm is the best barber around!

One step at a time: Norm

I will never forget the first time my brother Mitchell and I walked into Jason’s Barber Shop in Acorn Alley in Kent. Jason’s is a one of a kind establishment. Tons of sports apparel fill the walls...