Akron’s artisanal food market—Crafty Steere—is packed with locally curated meats and sweets, gourmet sauces and more
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By Patricia Nugent
With a nostalgic nod to days and foods gone by, the Crafty Steere, Akron’s Artisinal Food Market, offers locally curated, craft-made gastronomic delights, from meats and sweet treats to deli sandwiches, charcuterie fare, baked goods, and gourmet sauces and condiments.
Owner Brian Steere fondly remembers visiting the West Point Market with his mother when he was a young boy, earning a free cookie with each appearance. The nationally known gourmet food emporium may have closed in 2015 after 80 years, but it’s unparalleled excellence in prepared foods is alive and well.
“The Market will forever be an Akron icon,” says Brian, who opened his store in the former Pandora’s Cupcakes location last year. They still sell Pandora’s Cupcakes, as well as the incredible Killer Brownies for which the Market was so famous.
“We’re proud to continue the exacting standards by following the original recipes and making food people love and remember here at the store,” he says. “Since opening, we’ve developed a loyal following of shoppers who come in once or twice a week.”
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Dabble in Deli Delights
The Crafty Steere has earned a rep for being the best lunch spot in town. Brian and his staff are movie fans and put together a deli sandwich menu that’s a cheeky nod to favorite films.
The two most popular ones are the Cousin Eddie (a classic roast beef and cheddar) and the Jobu (smoked turkey and Swiss), which pay homage to the movies “Christmas Vacation” and “Major League,” respectively.
“We only use Thumann’s Deli Meats, which makes all the difference in the final sandwich,” he says. “The company’s specialty seasoned, quarter-pound, all-beef hot dogs served in bakery buns have become a big seller.”
Several fresh-made salads complement the fare and round out any lunch.
Where’s the Beef?
More and more, people want to know where their food comes from, especially when it comes to meat. That’s why Brian formed a partnership with the Copley-based J. Parker Cattle Company.
“This grain-fed, pasture-raised beef is free from hormones or antibiotics,” Brian says. “And just as important, it tastes fantastic. Since it’s local, we’ve been able to keep the prices low, buying in one cow at a time. Our customers have really responded to it.”
You’ll find every cut of beef as well as ground beef within the large cooler near the front door. Also tucked away there is Whitey’s Chili from Richfield.
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Sweet Tooth Alert
The dessert section at Crafty Steere has its own cult following, overflowing with made-from-scratch delectable throwbacks from the West Point Market, like triple-layer brownies, cupcakes, pies, cookies and all sorts of desserts.
“We adhere to the exacting standards of the original recipes, even using the same ingredients,” Brian says.
And to complement the sweets, the shop offers West Point Market’s original coffee blends by the pound, the cup and for sampling.
The Crafty Steere is located at 3571 Brookwall Drive in Fairlawn. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Crafty Steere products can also be found at most local Heinen’s grocery stores. Call 330-665-2253 or visit CraftySteere.com for more information.