COPLEY TWP.: Of course you’ve been to Copley. It’s one of the three communities that make up Montrose, one of the region’s busiest shopping hubs.
But have you explored Copley? There are, after all, places worth visiting away from that intersection of Cleveland-Massillon Road and state Route 18.
To help our readers take better advantage of the amenities in our region, the Beacon Journal is spotlighting a different community each week. We’ve made some obvious picks, but also enlisted local officials, residents, Facebook fans and our own expert staff writers to round out our list.
This week: 10 things to do in Copley.
• If you’ve driven by Copley Circle, you’ve probably noticed the array of concrete yard art in the parking lot just south of the traffic light. That’s Copley Circle Antiques. Be sure to check out the treasures inside, featuring the collections of some 30 antique dealers. Located at 1451 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, it’s open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
• West Side Gymnastics is a fun alternative to traditional activities, with classes in gymnastics, tumbling and cheering for kids of all ages. But there are also open gym hours, special evenings when parents can drop the kiddies off for date night and rooms for hosting a birthday party. Located at 1347 Sunset Drive, visit http://www.westsidegymnastics.net for more details.
• Social Media Shout-out: Facebook fans give thumbs up to Copley Feed & Supply, which has been providing local folks with every imaginable pet and wildlife food as well as lawn, garden and pond needs for 75 years. Visit http://www.copleyfeed.com and pick a category to see what’s available. Note that the business, at 1468 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road at the circle, is closed on Sundays.
• Shisler’s Cheese House features deli treats, sweets, gourmet food items, gift baskets and wine. Tables are scattered about so you can relax with friends while you sip and snack. Located at 1275 S.Cleveland-Massillon Road; visit http://www.shislerscheesehouse.com. Shisler’s shares a plaza with River City Gift Shoppes. The retailers here change from time to time, but currently feature Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shoppe, “where old fashioned meets newfangled candy;” Acorn Vitamins Health Market; and Shine Living religious and inspirational products. In an adjacent field, there’s also a farmers market from 3 to 6 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 6, as well as an extra market the second Sunday of each month.
• Trustee’s Choice, by Helen Humphrys: Copley Community Park, 3232 Copley Road, is an 80-acre park with two playgrounds, three pavilions, a skating pond, a huge sledding hill and more than 2 miles of trails “for the faint of heart and the hearty,” Humphrys said. It is also home to baseball, soccer, high school cross country teams, and events for every season, including Movie N Park in August, Halloween in the Park in October and Winterfest in January. “It is the crown jewel of Copley,” Humphrys said.
• No need to rush off. Spend the night in Copley at the Whimsical Pig Bed & Breakfast, billed as “an 1876 farmhouse experience.” Located at 2682 Cleveland-Massillon Road, the B&B offers several cozy rooms and the hosts will help make sure you find your way to any number of area attractions and events throughout the year. Check out the photos at http://www.whimsicalpigbedandbreakfast.com.
• Shop Hop, by our home writer Mary Beth Breckenridge: Wolf Creek Trading Co. “This rustic shop is out of the way and has limited hours, but it’s worth the effort to visit. The antique barn that used to be part of the business has closed for conversion to a wedding venue, but you can still browse the shop’s artwork, jewelry, garden decorations, fragrant soaps and other gift items. It’s a great place to buy a treasure for giving or for treating yourself.” At 2361 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, it’s open noon to 5 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.
• The Winery at Wolf Creek, 2637 S. Cleveland Massillon Road, features beautiful views, resident goats and a schedule of live music. Take your own food or buy snacks on site and enjoy the sweeping landscape from the deck or picnic tables on the hill. The family-friendly business also has a variety of board and yard games available for guests. More details at http://wineryatwolfcreek.com.
• The township’s summer Bandstand Concert Series will kick off June 12 and run weekly into late August. Bands play at the circle, starting at 7 p.m. The shows are free, although donations are accepted to help fund the series. The lineup: June 12, LaFlavour; June 19, Fast Lane Eagles Tribute Band; June 26, Belairs; July 3, Freedom Brass Band; July 10, Phil Dirt & the Dozers; July 17, Northwest Territory; July 24, Barbershop Harmony Spectacular; July 31, New Odyssey; Aug. 7, Akron Big Band; Aug. 14, Michelle Romary Band; and Aug. 21, Martial Law.
• Date Night, by residents Cathy and Ken Riedel: If you prefer a traditional evening out, Copley Township is chain-restaurant heaven, home to Olive Garden, Wasabi, TGI Fridays, Applebee’s, Tres Potrillos, the new Bomba Tacos & Rum and a dozen more. One of the Riedels’ favorites is Outback Steakhouse, where “we enjoy their salads with fresh croutons and petite fillet steak,” Cathy said. “It’s also the place I told my husband I was pregnant, both times. The next time we went he was suspicious.” Restaurants straddle both sides of Route 18 west of Cleveland-Massillon Road, and they climb that winding hill on Montrose West Avenue. Cathy recommends “call ahead seating” where accepted; the line on weekends can get very long.
Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/paulaschleis.