Samantha Frohnapfel (right) and her fiance Nathan Franks are the new owners of downtown Akron’s Urban Eats. The couple plans to continue the previous owners’ focus on a creative, locally sourced menu and establishing the business as a gathering place. (Photo: Matthew Engles)
Urban Eats, known for its intimate cafe atmosphere and creatively tasty menu, has underwent a renewal of sorts after the departure of previous owners Elizabeth Tyran and Jason Scala.
New owners Samantha Frohnapfel and her fiance Nathan Franks have dubbed their journey with Urban Eats as a “perfect beginning.” Frohnapfel says the atmosphere and people of Akron have been welcoming since their arrival and succession of this well-known hometown venue.
The couple’s warm reception has come from both patrons and neighboring business owners. After the opportunity arose, the two decided to take over together as it had always been a personal dream of Franks to own his own restaurant. Considering the work that Tyran and Scala put in to establishing Urban Eats as a meeting spot and a place to get some unique cuisine, the couple says it was an opportunity worth taking.
To satisfy both their regular customers and first-timers, they say they are continually changing things up. The cafe provides a monthly menu that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner and relies heavily on the freshest ingredients of the season. In order to provide the freshest local fare, the two travel all over Northeast Ohio sourcing the best produce.
Franks gives the example of how he gets his almond milk from an individual who presses his own milk in Cleveland, while Frohnapfel adds that they get their eggs from local family-owned farms.
Urban Eats offers an assortment of paninis, wraps (the blackened shrimp wrap is a favorite), handmade flatbread pizzas and an array of soups that change daily. Additionally, they have included items on the menu that will be suitable for those who have vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free diets.
The future looks bright for Urban Eats. With the renaissance of downtown Akron and the growing popularity of other nearby bars and lounges, the new owners hope that the cafe will be frequented by the increasing number of nine-to-fivers, residents and visitors.
Urban Eats Cafe is located at 17 Maiden Lane, off East Market Street in downtown Akron. For info, visit www.facebook.com/Urban-Eats-Cafe-362214455811.
