AKRON, Ohio - Tis the season to shop and Akron has a new destination opening in time for the holidays.

A grand opening celebration for the Northside Marketplace will take place Friday, Nov. 17, from 4-10 p.m. in downtown Akron's Northside Arts District.

The marketplace is Akron-centric, with more than 40 diverse vendors collected in a distinctly different kind of space.

Fan favorites like Rubber City Clothing and Dirty River Bicycle Works have stores, while up-and-coming local vendors have spaces in the Made in Akron section offering gift-appropriate items such as all natural skin care for men and women, clothing, jewelry and art.

A sprawling central lounge surrounded by food and beverage shops enables visitors to take a break and hang out with friends.

The marketplace was developed by the Testa Companies with support from Downtown Akron Partnership and the Knight Foundation. The it's designed to give new or small businesses an opportunity to operate in a brick-and-mortar location without taking the risk of opening a business.

During the grand opening, you can enter a drawing to win a gift basket that contains an item from each of the Marketplace vendors. And if you spend more than $100 during opening weekend, you'll be eligible to win a weekend getaway package in the Northside District that includes a room at the Courtyard by Marriott Akron Downtown, a private movie theater screening for two, a five-course chef's tasting meal at dba Akron for two and hand-crafted cocktails at the Northside Speakeasy. The grand prize winner will be announced Nov. 20.

Visit the Northside Marketplace at 21 Furnace St. Monday-Thursday from 4-8 p.m., Friday from 4-10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking is available on N. Main St. and Furnace St. For more information, visit Northside Marketplace website.

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