Leo’s Lake Cable Carry- Out preserves character

A photograph of Anne and Leo Karatjas, who founded Leo’s Lake Cable Carry Out, is on the wall of the business.

business at 5638 Fulton Road NW in 2011 after the death of Leo Karatjas Jr., who had taken over the business from his father. The Machans had been customers and gotten to know the father and son.

Karatjas Jr.’s death in a diving accident came as a shock. The Machans visited the store shortly after and learned it would be sold. Lynn had retired after 30 years of teaching kindergarten and first grade in Canton City Schools, but she wasn’t happy being retired. She told Mitch they should buy the place. Mitch, a lawyer,

put together a proposal. A few months later, the Machans were operating a wine and beer shop.

Along with getting Lynn Machan out of retirement, buying Leo’s was a chance to keep alive a Jackson Township fixture, the couple said.

They made changes and updated the business, including converting a storage room into a tasting area with tables. But as they made changes, they also kept the store’s character alive, using the hand-built wooden shelves and maintaining a large walk-in cooler that resembles a meat locker.

Customers can see the stainless steel cash register and other mementos from when the Karatjases owned the place. A photo of Leo Sr. and his wife, Anne, hangs in the store. You’ll also find a bowl with DumDum suckers on the counter.

“We wanted to preserve the character while doing the updates,” Mitch said.

The Machans aren’t wine experts, but they have worked to learn about their product. They also try to track down wines and beers you might not find in local grocery stores.

For example, Leo’s carries wines from School House Winery, which is in Tuscarawas County outside Dover. A summer favorite has been a lemon wine called Building 6 Teachers Ade. The couple also tracked down Fritz Windisch Dornfelder, a German wine that is delivered once a year.

Leo’s is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. There is a tasting on the third Friday of each month that usually features four wines and two beers the store carries.