'We're about to grow times five': Square Scullery finds new home at former NoHi space

Square Scullery, which was forced to shut down its tiny, 13-seat Highland Square eatery after water damage from a burst boiler pipe on Christmas Day, is now moving full steam ahead with a restaurant renovation at a new location — the former NoHi Pop-Up space in North Hill's Temple Square.

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Restaurant owners Heather and Matt Ulichney had been looking for a larger, secondary Square Scullery location for several years. Now, amid all the uncertainty following the flooding at their Highland Square spot, they've found just the right new location at 778 N. Main St.

The new space, which has a commercial kitchen, will seat about 60 people inside plus more on the patio, accommodating the popular Square Scullery's need for growth.

"We're about to grow times five. That's huge," Heather Ulichney said Tuesday.

The North Hill kitchen is 1,000 square feet, compared to Highland Square's 450-square-foot kitchen. The new space also has 2,000 square feet of dining space, while the eclectic, cozy Highland Square dining room is 400 square feet.

In the new kitchen, the Ulichneys plan to knock out half of the front wall and install a large window so diners on the other side can see into the kitchen. The goal is for diners to feel connected to the kitchen where chef Matt works.

And after experiencing flooding at the Highland Square spot, "there's floor drains" at their new North Hill kitchen, Matt said.

The new space also has an existing bar, so Square Scullery, known for its fresh and delicious mocktails in Highland Square, will be getting a liquor license in North Hill.

The Ulichneys, whose new restaurant lease with owners Paul and John Wilson and Anna Lloyd of Akron Ventures started Monday, said the space checks a number of boxes. It has a large enough kitchen, the overall space isn't too big or too small, 60 guests can be seated inside, it has an existing patio and the space is compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The interior's current beigey-gray walls will be gone, repainted with vibrant colors. The Ulichneys said their aesthetic will grace every room of their new spot, including the bathrooms.

"We're going to touch every inch of this space," Matt said.

What happened to the former NoHi home in Akron's North Hill neighborhood

The building was home to the former NoHi Pop-up for culinary entrepreneurs, run by the North Hill Community Development Corp. from 2020 until last month. It also formerly housed Mexico City Restaurant and before that, Office City Tavern.

"The North Hill CDC, they were very excited for us to be here. We're excited to work with them," Matt said.

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Heather said she plans to add a gorgeous, jewel-toned emerald color to the wood-faced, curving bar and do something different with the bar top. Each of the three dining/bar areas of the new space will have a different feel, all of which she described as "tropical disco."

That's a carryover from the Highland Square look, which has disco balls hanging from the ceiling amid lush-looking greenery. It will include a water feature, possibly with fish, on one side of the bar.

Guests can also expect more disco balls from the ceiling as well as plenty of greenery, floral features, floral prints and even floral chandeliers, which the Ulichneys will create.

"We're going the extra mile. We really want this to be the next spot for Akron. We're trying to change the food game and the food scene in Akron," Heather said.

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Square Scullery started a GoFundMe Jan. 11 to help with its move to the former NoHi, which has raised $11,212 of its $30,000 goal. The Ulichneys estimate that creating their new restaurant space in North Hill will cost $150,000.

That includes purchasing equipment, plates, utensils, napkins, artwork, creating a kitchen island work station and other startup costs. The Ulichneys, who employ 12 in Highland Square, will hire 30 at the new location.

The restaurant owners expect to start working on the North Hill space in the next month, after some heavy cleaning, and to open sometime in June. Heather's mother, interior designer Michelle Bailey, will help, as will Matt's father, Dave, who is a contractor.

Flooding at Highland Square in the American Legion building

The original Square Scullery has been housed in the American Legion Wendell L. Willkie Post 19 building for four years. A burst pipe on Christmas Day on the 1908 building's second floor flooded Square Scullery's kitchen on the first floor and through its tile floor to the basement below, where the American Legion office area is located. Another boiler pipe burst on the first floor on the other side of the building and flooded into another active Legion club area of the basement.

The tiny Square Scullery had been maxed out in its 850-square-foot space in Highland Square, which was the reason the owners had been looking for a secondary, larger space to run the full restaurant.

"This opportunity that we've been searching for for three years lands on our lap at the most unexpected time," Heather said of the North Hill space.

Once repairs are finished at Square Scullery's Highland Square location, the Ulichneys plan to run that space as a noodle and bao bar, a "new-age ramen shop" that will sport a new name and have a "cats and neons" aesthetic.

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Highland Square repairs

The couple have no final timeline yet for repairs at the Highland Square space, and a month after the flooding, insurance is still moving slowly. The Legion's insurance covers the building and its infrastructure, while Square Scullery's insurance covers the contents of the restaurant, including food and equipment.

As of last week, both water and heat had been restored to the building. Also last week, the Ulichneys were working on getting appointments for quotes on tear-out and repairs in their kitchen.

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The week before, the Square Scullery kitchen was sprayed for mold growth and commercial air purifiers ran for five days.

Arts and restaurant writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Square Scullery owners get new start at former NoHIi spot in Akron