Here are the Summit County restaurants that closed in 2022

This year saw the closing of quite a few restaurants in Summit County.

The aftereffects of the pandemic coupled with inflation and staffing shortages has made the going hard for many businesses, especially those in the restaurant industry. A beloved bar and grille in Akron’s North Hill shuttered its doors for the second time in two years. Plus, a café in Hudson that served patrons for half a dozen years closed.

While this is not an exhaustive list, it should give you a sampling of the restaurants Summit County lost in 2022. Read on to learn more.

Looking for a new place to dine?Here are some Summit County restaurants that opened in 2022

Louie’s Bar & Grille, Akron

Louie's Bar and Grille, a fixture of Akron's North Hill for over 30 years, closed earlier this year. The restaurant served burgers, momo, chow mein and fried rice before it shut its doors.

Louie's first goodbye:Louie's Bar & Grille in Akron to reopen under new ownership, family announces

The eatery’s first closure was in October 2020 and it reopened under new ownership in 2021. At the time, the Khoury family, which had operated the business on E. Glenwood Avenue for 28 years, cited the coronavirus pandemic when announcing its initial closure.

Delanie's Gastro Bar, Tallmadge

Tallmadge’s first full-service restaurant to serve alcohol after an 80-year prohibition closed on Sept. 10. Owner Nick Dadich sold the business to his then-bartender, Renee Crighton, after running the joint for 20 years. Crighton renamed the business to West Avenue Tavern and revamped its menu. Dadich encourages patrons to continue supporting the new owner as they did his family.

More about Delanie's:Delanie's, elevated: Tallmadge restaurant offers a fresh twist on the classics

Leah's Kitchen, Akron

Owners Leah and Randy Francis hung up their chef hats after 18 years running Leah's Kitchen inside the Fairway Center in West Akron, which houses Summit County Public Health.

The small eatery, which sat 25, was known for its affordable homemade breakfasts and lunches, served 7:30 am. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Leah worked seven days a week running the restaurant weekdays and baking on the weekends. Randy, who worked two jobs up until about six years ago, was used to putting in 90-hour weeks working at the restaurant by day, followed by a second shift at Union Metal.

More about Leah's Kitchen:Leah's Kitchen closing Friday after 18 years in West Akron

Once the couple decided to retire, they spent their last year in business looking for a buyer for Leah's Kitchen. They did not have any takers.

NoHi Pop-Up, Akron

After three years of incubating food entrepreneurs with its pop up and test kitchen models, NoHi saw its last day on Dec. 17. The North Hill Community Development Corp. (NHCDC) originally took over the space once occupied by Office Bistro in an effort to revitalize Akron's North Hill neighborhood.

Justin Chenault, the corporation's executive director, primarily cited rising rental costs as the cause of the closure.

Goodbye NoHi:NoHi Pop-Up closing for good Saturday, but program won't end

"We've been renting this building for the past three years and inflation just truly punched in the face to where we weren't able to pass on the consistent level of consistency with affordability for our food entrepreneurs," Chenault said. "

The NHCDC still plans to provide space and exposure to food entrepreneurs by collaborating pop-ups with local restaurants and the City of Akron. Chenault also plans to launch a food truck park near People's Park in Temple Square.

The Fork & Knife, Hudson

The Fork & Knife closed its doors on Sept. 6, the business announced on its Facebook page.

The restaurant served scratch made sandwiches and wraps for six years before its owners decided not to renew their lease with the building. Some of the items on their menu were lump crab cakes, roasted corn salad, chicken chili verde and spicy noodle bowls.

Contact Beacon Journal reporter Tawney Beans at tbeans@gannett.com and on Twitter @TawneyBeans.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: See which Summit County restaurants closed in 2022