During my visit to the Northside Marketplace, I stumbled upon a tattoo shop called India Ink Tattoo Company. The owner, a passionate artist named India, generously shared the story behind her love for tattoo drawing. Her passion resonated with the spirit of the Northside Marketplace, where creativity and entrepreneurship thrive. As I left her shop, I couldn’t resist looking at the beautiful candle designs at Glam Scents and the stunning flower arrangements at Lepley & Co., each crafted with a distinct personality that reflected the unique character of the marketplace.
This experience resonated with me and became the inspiration for a project in my Public Relations Writing class at the University of Akron. Our goal was to create a “Zips Guide” to shopping small and local in Akron, highlighting the diverse and vibrant businesses that make Akron special.
The Zips Guide to Shopping Small & Local is a community engaged learning project that was completed by students in the Fall 2023 Public Relations Writing course offered in The School of Communication at The University of Akron.
It is intended to serve as a shopping guide where people across the Northeast Ohio region can encounter Akron’s unique family of small businesses and shops as well as to serve as a media kit for media outlets who are telling stories about Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Artist Sunday and shopping local small businesses.
Students were able to choose the small businesses they wanted to research and recommend as part of the guide. The class was aided by its collaborative partner, Downtown Akron Partnership.
Working on this project was much more than just writing articles and creating social media posts. It was about diving into the community, meeting passionate entrepreneurs, and learning their stories. Whether it was a lively conversation with a local artist or the warmth of the market manager’s smile, the Northside Marketplace provided countless opportunities to discover the heart and soul of Akron’s entrepreneurial spirit.
For many, shopping for holiday gifts often involves browsing online or visiting familiar chain stores. But for Chris Stein, a senior at the University of Akron, a recent experience in Downtown Akron opened his eyes to the unique and unexpected gifting options that lie just beyond the usual shopping routine.
“I personally never considered shopping for holiday gifts in Downtown Akron, but after stopping in a few stores I wish I had,” Stein said. “Not only is there plenty of options when it comes to stores, but the stores themselves sell unique products that you simply aren’t going to think of buying online or in a chain store,” he said.
As we interviewed business owners and explored their stories, we saw firsthand the impact that supporting local businesses can have on the community.
“Local business owners in Downtown Akron frequently go above and beyond for their customers because they are passionate about what they do, take the time to get to know them, and look at some of their high quality products,” Jaliyah Thomas, a public relations student at UA, said.
Local attractions like The Northside Marketplace and the Akron Zoo often go unnoticed, and many haven’t realized how much they’ve been missing.
“So many people probably just drive by it all the time and they don’t stop,” Shannane Lewis, a public relations student at UA, said. “Well, and that’s the beauty of the gifting and membership is it gives families the opportunity to jump down for a couple hours here and there.”
This simple observation spoke volumes about the impact local businesses have on building community and fostering connection.
Liv Ream, a public relations student at UA, summed up the impact of the project perfectly. For her, the experience went beyond discovering unique gifts. It was about rejecting a culture of buying “junk” and embracing buying quality products.
“I ended up finding pretty much everything I’m going to shop for Christmas,” Ream said. “I’m just really sick of junk and buying junk and stuff that just doesn’t feel good or nice to give to someone,” she said.
Through this project, I learned that public relations is not just about promoting brands; it’s about telling stories, building relationships, and making a positive impact on the world.
“Creating these articles has been a fun time. I loved being able to interview these business owners and learning their stories behind why they created their businesses,” LeAnna Faulknier, a student in the PR writing class, said.
I have personally chosen to continue working on co-managing the Zips Guide social media to spread the word about our unique project.
It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact that Zips Guide has on our community. People are constantly reaching out to us to express their gratitude for the information we provide. Whether it’s highlighting local businesses, showcasing upcoming events, or sharing important news, we strive to keep Akron informed and engaged.
Reflecting on the success of the Zips Guide project, Professor Cajigas, instructor of the public relations writing class at UA, expressed her admiration for the students’ dedication and passion:
“When you work on projects with community partners, you never quite know how your class will respond, Cajigas said. “I am beyond proud of the students whose work is featured in the guide, and so pleased at the stories I am hearing about their newfound involvement in downtown Akron and the local small business community.”
She also said she is surprised students wanted to keep the social accounts alive through the holiday. “They aren’t receiving credit or pay; they are just passionate about the project and our Akron community,” she said.
More than just completing a class project, this experience has left me with a deep appreciation for the local businesses that make Akron a special place. I encourage everyone to follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@zipsguideakron) for all the latest updates. You can also visit our website at www.zipsguide.com to learn more about us and read our latest stories. In addition, we participated in a podcast which can be found here.
By supporting local businesses, we can all contribute to a more vibrant and sustainable economy for all.
Visit the Zip Guides at www.zipsguide.com. And A-Z listing of the local businesses can be found here: https://www.zipsguide.com/guide-a-z.
Written by Mona Abdeldaim.