What’s next for Akron’s Highland Square neighborhood?
Aptly enough: A trendy store called Next.
Akron plans to lease a vacant storefront in the Chipotle building at 837 W. Market St. to Finch Co. Inc., which will open a Next Store in the spot between Georgio’s Pizza and a space where Verizon formerly was located. Next will sell high-end, hip clothing and sneakers, mainly catered to a 20-something clientele.

“I think they will be a great addition,” said Adele Roth, the city’s development manager, who is in charge of Akron’s retail plans for Highland Square that include a new grocery store.
Roth shared plans for the lease with the Akron City Council during committee meetings Monday. The council is expected to vote on the lease next Monday.
Akron, which already owned some of the property at North Portage Path and West Market Street, bought the rest of the land, the Chipotle building and the parking behind it in December. Phillip and Margaret Nabors, the owners of Mustard Seed who have stores in Montrose and Solon, plan to open a grocery store in the triangular property at the corner, incorporating a vacant building next to the Chipotle strip.
Roth said she has been working on leasing two vacant spots in the Chipotle building, while architects work on plans for the grocery store and she searches for financing options. A groundbreaking for the grocery store won’t happen this year, as hoped, but Roth is crossing her fingers for next year.
“The financing has been really, really difficult,” she said.
Finch will lease the 1,169-square-foot space for two years, with an option for another three years. The company is expected to sign the lease next week and hopes to open the store Jan. 25, Roth said.
Finch will pay $20 per square foot, which is in the middle of the going rate of $17 to $25 per square foot, Roth said.
Akron will forgive the first three months of rent to help cover the cost of upgrades the company plans to make before opening, Roth said.
The city has so far collected $140,000 in rent from the businesses located in the Chipotle building and has spent about $42,000, with most going to design work in the grocery store, Roth said.
Finch, which is based in Cleveland, currently operates four Next stores in the Cleveland area — in Beachwood Mall, Coventry in Cleveland Heights, Tower City in downtown Cleveland, and the Village of North Randall.
Robert Rosenthal, Finch’s president, said the store sells “young men’s contemporary sportswear,” featuring hard-to-find brands, including some that can’t be found anywhere else.
Rosenthal said the company was looking for an “interesting, boutiquey location” and heard about Highland Square and the revitalization efforts going on in the neighborhood.
“The minute we saw it, we said, ‘This really makes sense,’” he said.
Rosenthal said the Akron store may involve a collaboration with another high-profile retailer. He declined to give more details.
The company found Roth and other city officials to be amicable and friendly, Rosenthal said.
“Adele and her people couldn’t have made it any easier,” he said. “They were supportive of trying to get us in there and doing all they can.”
Akron is still looking to lease a 1,450-square-foot space previously occupied by Verizon. Roth said she has been meeting with potential tenants, including a bicycle store and several restaurants.
In other business, council passed a resolution urging the U.S. government not to cut Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds as is currently being proposed in the federal budget. The resolution asks that the funding remain the same, rather than the reduction of 5 percent or more currently being considered.
Akron is expecting to get about $6.4 million in CDBG and federal home funds next year, which will help improve housing and provide jobs, said Councilman Jeff Fusco.
“We’re hoping it will be minimal in terms of the amount of cuts,” he said.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.