History walk planned for Broadway

Welcome session also scheduled

Anyone interested in downtown Lorain history and new developments will get the chance to learn more in two events the first week of September.

Speak of the Devil neighborhood bar, 201 W. Fifth St., will host “Welcome to the DownLo: a downtown Lorain Meet & Mingle.” The gathering will take place from 5-8 p.m., Sept. 6.

The meeting will allow new business owners to meet each other and to talk with prospective business owners and the public, said Kurt Hernon, who opened Speak of the Devil in late 2016 with his wife, Page.

Two days later, the Lorain Proud group will host a free walking tour from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 8.

The event is meant to have the same spirit as Lorain Better Block, which took place May 19, said coorganizer Bart Gonzalez.

It will tap into local history while showcasing improvements happening on Broadway today, Gonzalez said.

The tour will start at the Lorain Historical Society’s Moore House Museum, 309 W. Fifth St.

My Best Friend Coffee and Sugar Shack will have coffee and treats there.

From the museum, people may walk to the local merchants on and around Broadway.

Building owners will discuss the history of their businesses.

Some owners are planning specials dedicated to the day, Gonzalez said.

“The whole idea is to allow the people to talk to the business owners,” he said.

Planners are expecting strong participation from Broadway merchants, Gonzalez said.

Lorain author Kelly Boyer Sagert will appear at Lolipop’s Gift Shop, 408 Broadway, with her book, “Hidden History of Lorain County.”

Other participating merchants include Jason Shaffer Photography, Dye’s Appliance, Lorain Bilingual Academy, Scorcher’s, Nielsen Jewelers, Marzavas & Sons Swiss American Jewelers, Lorain Arts Council and Boarders Gaming Cafe. Speak of the Devil will open, and at 8 p.m., will feature live jazz with the Shannon Eller Group.

Gonzalez noted fashion designer Jevon Terance will not open because Terance is showing his clothes in New York.

The owners of Slutzker’s Quickprint Center had a prior commitment, but have created magnets for the event, he said.

The event also is a “unique twist” on Ohio Open Doors, a week of celebrating Ohio history sponsored by the State Historic Preservation Office.

It is a statewide celebration where building and landmark sponsors open their doors to the public for special tours and programs as a way to promote historic preservation.

“History on Broadway” is listed among 258 events around Ohio for Ohio Open Doors, which started in 2016 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act.