Blake’s Cafe & Cupcakery, 1840 Town Park Blvd., Green, will close on Friday.
Owners Marcie and Derke Williams opened the shop in 2009 in the former Arabica space just off Massillon Road, in part to give their autistic son Blake a chance to interact with others and improve his socialization skills.
The couple announced the closing on their shop’s Facebook page, saying they were looking forward to spending time together “without the worry that comes with business ownership.”
“Owning Blake’s has given our son opportunities to interact and develop socially that are irreplaceable. Thank you to each and every person who took the time to talk with and encourage him, his personality will forever be molded by your kindness and generosity and we are forever grateful,” the post read.
Pizza for your Valentine
Looking for something special for your Valentine tomorrow? Rocco’s Pizza will be keeping up with its 30-year tradition of offering heart-shaped pizzas.
The 12-inch heart is $10, with additional toppings $1. The pizzas are available at both Rocco’s locations, 1053 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, and 973 Graham Road, Stow.
Chili cook-off in Norton
The Kiwanis Club of Norton will host its 11th annual Chili Cook-off from 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Norton Community Center, 4060 Columbia Woods Drive, Norton.
Anyone interested in entering should call 330-819-5658 for a form. Chili must be dropped off at the center between 2 and 3 p.m. on the day of the event. Entry fee is $6, and prizes will be awarded.
Admission to the event is $6, which includes chili, chips, soda and dessert. Children 6 and younger are free. Tickets are available at the door.
Proceeds benefit the club’s scholarship fund for Norton High School students. For information, call 330-819-5658.
Healthful dinner series
The Local Roots Market and Café, 140 S. Walnut St., Wooster, will host a Roots of Health dinner series from Feb. 16 to March 26.
The Tuesday series is similar to the one held by the market last year, with presentations on health and nutrition. Each evening’s presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m., and will focus on topics including cooking demonstrations, hands-on food preparation, and nutrition and exercise discussions by area professionals.
Following each presentation, the Local Roots Café will serve dinner, featuring seasonal produce and other products found in the market. Vegan options will be available. In addition, Local Roots will provide recipes and a shopping list of healthful foods available that week.
Cost is $15 per week for Local Roots members and $17 for nonmembers. Anyone who signs up for the entire six-week series will receive a free lunch from the café. In-person registration is required. Phone 330-263-5336 or visit www.localrootswooster.com for more information.
Cleveland restaurant week
Downtown Cleveland Alliance is sponsoring is sixth annual Downtown Restaurant Week from Feb. 22 through March 3.
More than 40 restaurants will be participating, each offering $30 three-course menus for one or two diners or $15 lunch specials.
This year’s theme, Pierogi Power, has chefs working on creative pierogi dishes to be offered during the week. There will be a polka party during happy hour on East Fourth Street beginning at 4 p.m. Feb. 22 to kick things off.
During Restaurant Week, several downtown parking facilities will offer $2 parking to diners who show a Restaurant Week parking voucher, beginning at 5 p.m. each day. For more details, including a list of participating restaurants and to download a parking voucher, visit www.downtowncleveland.com.
Bulk food store in Norton
Claire’s Garden Florist, 3281 Barber Road, Norton, has opened a bulk food store.
The owners are stocking items sought after by those following gluten-free diets. They have the right amount for home cooks who are looking to buy small quantities of specialty items and for those in food preparation who want large quantities.
For more information, call the shop at 330-835-6922.
Lisa Abraham can be reached at 330-996-3737 or at labraham@thebeaconjournal.com. Find me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter @akronfoodie or visit my blog at www.ohio.com/blogs/lisa.