Nine Black-owned Stark County restaurants, bakeries to check out
As Americans approach the fourth anniversary of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains vital that local businesses get community support.
We especially cite Black-owned businesses, as they were disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Many local Black-owned restaurants and other types of operations closed, and others remain in a struggle.
As Black History Month continues, we’ve updated a list of Black-owned restaurants and food operations in Stark County that diners might enjoy checking out.
1. Scratch Steakhouse
Owned by Demond Germany, Scratch Steakhouse & Lounge, at 108 E. Main St. in Louisville, is most known for its great steaks, seafood and pasta. Germany credits the steaks, appetizers and handcrafted cocktails as the restaurant’s bestsellers.
One thing he wants customers to know is that his team is “here to be exceptional in everything that we do, from the moment you walk in the door, just know that my staff is here to make your experience a memorable one.”
2. Starz
Starlett Isles Burns owns Starz, at 111 Cleveland Ave. SW in downtown Canton. Open Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays, she said the Starz goal is to serve quality food and the best live entertainment in the area. The bestselling items on the menu are the wing trios, which consist of three different flavored wingdings, and the Starz Ice Water Cocktail mixture that has a sweet, subtle taste. The venue's bartenders are also trained to mix cocktails, espresso drinks and offer wines.
The restaurant also offers takeout as well as catering. Isles Burns told me, "We do catering for special events such as baby showers, parties and wedding showers."
3. Sister’s Soul Food
Sister’s Soul Food, at 900 Harrison Ave. SW in Canton, is owned by Tracy Foster. She offers mostly carryout and catering, but can seat eight at the eatery, and operates a food truck called Plum Crazy For BBQ. Foster said the most popular meal is the barbecue ribs, Southern greens with smoked turkey and fried cabbage with smoked beef sausage, but Sister’s Soul Food specializes in everything soul food.
The food truck has been well received, and she said she is looking forward to “growing and continuing to serve Stark County and surrounding areas with our soul food food truck and catering service.” For more information, call 330-458-1281.
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4. Diaita Cold Pressed Juice, Smoothies + Vegan Food Automated Cafe
Eddie Mealy and Shamiko McDew own Diaita Cold Pressed Juice, Smoothies + Vegan Food Automated Cafe at 4919 Whipple Ave. NW in Jackson Township. Diaita is most known for its juices, with its bestsellers being the Hall of Fame juice, wellness shots, evergreen smoothie, superfood salad, and almond and peanut butter energy bites.
Diaita has shifted how it operates, and now is 100% automated, with all products in machines, which are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Mealy said her favorite thing about owning a business is “connecting with customers and hearing how our products have helped their health!”
5. Irie Island Jamaican Restaurant
Irie Island Jamaican Restaurant, at 3407 Mahoning Road NE in Canton, is owned by Melissa Bailey and her husband, Karl Green. The bright restaurant is known for being the first authentic Jamaican restaurant in Stark County. Popular items include oxtails and jerk chicken, while customers also love the island cabbage.
Bailey’s favorite thing about owning her own business? She loves being her own boss, and she decides if her accomplishments are good or bad. She also is grateful for Irie Island supporters who have been by her side for the last six years.
Irie Island is open from 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call in orders at 234-360-8964, plus walk-ins are welcome.
6. Greatness Cafe
Greatness Cafe, located at 121 Lincoln Way E in Massillon, opened in July 2023. Owner Cyrus Ausar, who is also a depression and suicide prevention expert, opened the cafe because he wanted to "help people, both mind and body, which is why there are so many positive messages throughout the cafe." His community involvement is extensive as he continues his mission of giving back.
The cafe specializes in smoothies and a variety of lunch options, and also features cookies and more from Kawaybear Kookies, owned by Ausar's sister, Kewala Gilmer.
This is the place to walk in hungry, walk out satisfied and filled with positive affirmations for the day. The menu features an uplifting message with each item. Choose from "I am fun" peanut butter and jelly panini, "I am worthy" slow roasted chicken wrap, "I am unique" kale and banana smoothie and so much more.
The cafe is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Dine in or order online or by phone at 330-737-1697.
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7. Sea Food-N-Eat
The Stark County-based Sea Food-N-Eat food truck is owned by Tearna Young. The food truck is most known for having the No. 1 catfish sandwich in town, according to Young.
In business now for three years, bestsellers include catfish and tacos. Young said her favorite things about owning her own business are serving the community and being her own boss. She wants customers to know “that we take pride in our food that we serve.”
To place orders, call 330-597-0136 and view location schedule on their Facebook page.
8. Nothing Bundt Cakes
Owned by retired NFL defensive end Kenny Peterson, Nothing Bundt Cakes specializes in bundt cakes in every size. Customers can buy 8-inch, 10-inch, tiered cakes and bundtlets, which are individual bundt cakes for one. The bakery uses the finest ingredients in every cake and has been popular since it opened in 2018.
“It was shocking. It makes me feel good the amount of support that the city has given us,” Peterson said about the instant popularity of his bakery.
Nothing Bundt Cakes is located at 4468 Belden Village Street NW in Jackson Township. For more information, call 330-222-3204 or visit nothingbundtcakes.com.
9. Little Chunk of Goodness
After noticing an unmet demand for royal icing cookies, Christy Williams learned how to make them and opened Little Chunk of Goodness in the fall of 2018. More than five years later, the North Canton-based in-home bakery’s business is booming.
Her favorite thing to bake? It’s a tie between cookies and cinnamon rolls. Williams offers cookies, energy bites, cinnamon rolls and more that customers can order through her website, littlechunkofgoodness.com.
Williams said her favorite thing about the business “has been getting connected and totally ingrained in my community. It’s never been about the cookies. It’s been about the people that they have brought into my life.”
Reach Bev at bshaffer@gannett.com or 330-580-8318.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Nine Black-owned bakeries, restaurants to check out in Stark County
