AKRON, Ohio — The most-winning strategy for boosting business on Kenmore Boulevard is hosting events. That’s what the Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance hears from many Kenmore Boulevard businesses.

“Events are a huge part of attracting and supporting economic development in Kenmore,” said KNA Executive Director Tina Boyes. “In fact, according to our businesses, events are the single most important thing we do to support them.”

That’s one reason the Spring Music Break Fest will take place at the Rialto Theatre on The Boulevard on Friday, April 1 from 5-11 p.m. and Saturday, April 2 from 4:30-11 p.m.

The Spring Break Music Fest comes on the heels of the inaugural Winter Break Music Fest the Rialto hosted last December with support from 91.3 The Summit.

The event drew hundreds of people to The Boulevard to hear local musicians over two days, said Corey Jenkins, KNA’s promoter and experience manager.

It also introduced potential customers to the district’s other businesses — an instrument store, recording studios, a comic book shop, a tea room, clothing stores, a preschool, law offices, a cancer resource center, a gifts and décor shop and an Asian and soul food grill.

During the winter event, Boulevard food and beverage businesses near the Rialto reported a 300% increase in sales, Boyes said. 

Spring Break Fest will be similar to winter fest but with a different lineup, Jenkins said. A number of local bands will perform both days, including The Angie Haze Project, Alex Bevan and Charlie Weiner, with students from the Open Tone Music Academy performing.

Open Tone is a nonprofit that provides access to music and musical instruments to mostly young people in underserved populations, but serves people of all ages.

The Summit got on board for the winter fest because its goals aligned with the radio station’s goals — to support local music and the Greater Akron community, said Summit Program Director Brad Savage.

“There's a lot of that DNA in the Summit, just bringing the love where we are, lift up where we are and showcase where we are. So that's where it made sense to say, ‘Yeah, I'm on board for this concept in December,’” Savage said. “And yeah, we'll do it again in April and again over the summer, too.”

Promoter and experience manager Corey Jenkins (left) and The Summit program Director Brad Savage prep for Spring Break Music Fest. (Jennifer Conn/Spectrum News1)

In recent years, especially during the pandemic, The Summit increased the amount of local and independent music it played, Savage said, especially when the concerts stopped.

“We started playing even more, because we wanted to keep the names out there. There's just so many bands and so much good music happening,” he said. “I think it makes quality of life a good thing in your hometown, you know, if you can kind of stand behind it and let it shine and be proud of it. And not everywhere has that feeling. I feel like there's more of a camaraderie about that here.”

During the festivals, the musical acts get swag, gift certificates and discounts to redeem at the local businesses, said Jenkins.

“There's a lot for musicians here and by bringing them back even after the events, we're building a stronger sense of community and loyalty, and that's a win-win for everyone,” he said.

The music events are all part of a strategy KNA launched last year to first promote the music businesses The Boulevard is known for, then market the other small businesses in the district, ultimately to bring back the vitality Kenmore Boulevard once had as a thriving central business district, Boyes said.

The music fests complement KNA’s First Friday events, which launched in 2017 to enliven The Boulevard through food, music and vendors the first Friday of the month in spring and summer.

The effort seems to be paying off, as at least 10 new businesses opened their doors on the Boulevard during the pandemic, Boyes said.

Businesses that participate in First Fridays see a minimum 75% increase in sales, she said, and some garner much more.

One business, Marigold Sol, relocated to The Boulevard after attending Kenmore First Friday events for the first four years, Boyes said. The gifts and vintage furniture business saw the energy of First Fridays, pinpointed a storefront and reached out as soon as it became available.

“It's often a matter of seeing the activity and support first then picturing yourself in the space,” Boyes said. “Events allow them to do that. That's why we're always planning them and partnering with places like the Rialto and bringing attention to the events they're doing. There is a direct correlation between music, events and our economy here, and we're here for all of it.”