By Elise Gaffney
If you visited Grant Street in Akron 12 years ago, you would have seen a beat-up old building that had stood vacant for nearly ten years. Originally built by Russian immigrants during the early 20th century, it housed a family in its central two-story original structure, a grocery store off the north side and a small curiosity shop off the south side. The lonely building, a piece of Akron’s rich history, would soon be rescued. Dawn Ward, a local, purchased the building after stumbling across it one afternoon in 1993. This would be the beginning of renovations with no clear direction and one of Akron’s most unique boutiques.
Click here to see exclusive photos of the Funky Hippy.
The first (and least damaged and dirty) room that Dawn found in this house – the large upstairs bedroom – was painted a deep purple. Today, it is still known as the ‘Purple Room.’ For years, it was the only habitable room in the structure. Years of renovation and rehabilitation slowly saw ‘The Building,’ as it’s come to be known amongst Dawn’s family and friends, grow from a black hole into something more useful. The first completely rehabbed space was the original grocery store, which became a practice space for bands called “The Playground.” Bands rented a reserved practice time by the month, usually meeting to fill the space with music once per week.
In October of 2000, after many inhabitants and uses, the building finally found its ultimate purpose: Dawn decided to open up a vintage shop. Her inspiration was a combination of her life experiences. “I grew up in a conservative Catholic neighborhood during the ’60s and ’70s,” says Dawn. “My mother had a class design style, occasionally venturing towards fab with bold fabrics and wallpapers; those styles, patterns, fabrics, prints and lines in fabric and clothing, along with Laugh In, mapped my childhood visual blueprint. Graduating with a Graphics degree heightened that visual awareness and appreciation,” she says. “Deciding to open a vintage shop, the ’60s and ’70s were naturally my focus.” Dawn left her graphic design business after ten years that she describes as “stressful,” and redirected her focus toward her new store: The Funky Hippy.
Owning a vintage shop in the heart of Akron, just minutes from I-77 and the University of Akron, Dawn has had the opportunity to meet many interesting people. Visitors to the shop include locals and people from as far away as England and Japan who stop in looking for vintage treasures. The great location isn’t the only perk Dawn has enjoyed owning her own business in the Rubber city.
“The willingness to live simply and the modest income that ‘the hippy’ has provided has allowed me the freedom to work hours that are comfortable,” she says.”I only have to step down four steps to get to work, and if I need to leave for a short time (which isn’t very often), taping a sign on the door is an option.” Dawn also enjoys not having to meticulously count her hours like she did in the advertising business. “When customers are not here, I can enjoy the computer, cooking, collages, playing the piano,” she says. “I report to no one (except the IRS), and customers are always akin to welcome guests. For me that has been a lot of enjoyable freedom,” says Ward.
Now 11 years old, the Funky Hippy has stood the test of time, which might have something to do with the parade of one-of-a-kind items that have come through the shop, fascinating and delighting shoppers. The hippy boasts some of the most unique and highest quality vintage items on the market. Dawn’s husband, who does most of the shopping, is almost always very successful. “In order to find treasure, the odds of success are relative to how much you dig. He digs all the time,” says Dawn.
And you should too. So, check out the Funky Hippy today!
Click here to view the photo gallery.
The Funky Hippy is open from 11 AM – 6 PM Mon-Fri and 11 AM to 4 PM on Sat. For more information, visit the Funky Hippy website or call 330-434-9092.
Elise Gaffney studies Communication and Photography at The University of Akron. A lover of exploring, she documents the unique, the beautiful and the undiscovered parts of her hometown.
One Response to “An Inside Look at Akron’s Funkiest Shopping Destination”
bob w.
YES…wish best..REUSE n RENEW..whether I get THERE OR NOT is ANOTHER story..GOT AU crew to other…SCARF TREE LAWNS on trashday…MINDBLOWING GOOD STUF HEAVED…GOOD FURNITURE…dear Cleve.or Akron furniture bank…SHOULD contact THEM…WORTH THE TRUCK ride…trust me…