shortage of pressing needs, so when you start to put in perspective the cost involved of building out a lowcost, affordable, municipal broadband alternative, we need to look through all these different priorities as well,” Hardy says. “Broadband is a huge equity issue, but getting broadband does not solve inequity. It’s one piece of a larger pie we need to be assessing.” Because of broadband infrastructure’s omission from that list of priorities, Hardy says it’s “not probable” the city could afford to spend that kind of money on its own, especially because the original intent was to lift a cost burden from taxpayers. He says the city is looking to the county for leadership on the idea of a potential multi-jurisdictional partnership between communities on affordable broadband internet. He also recommended at the April 1 meeting that the city or county consider putting out a request for bids for an agency to create a feasibility study for the project. If not infrastructure, what other options exist? They are also considering alternatives, such as subsidizing costs for lowincome households and broadcasting WiFi signals from buildings in the city. “But in terms of broadband infrastructure, we are beholden to telecommunications companies partnering with us with no leverage on our side, or building it out ourselves,” Hardy says. City officials are holding out hope for passage of the massive federal infrastructure bill President Joe Biden is shepherding through Congress, which includes plans and funding for significant broadband overhaul. In addition, Ohio legislators are considering passage of bipartisan House Bill 2, the piece of legislation that describes Akron as a “distressed city.” If passed by the Ohio Senate, $210 million in state grants would be dispersed to underserved and distressed communities for highspeed internet. Gov. Mike DeWine has been vocal about investing in broadband. In the meantime, the city continues to explore other means of providing accessible or free internet sites for residents. FairlawnGig set up a fiber ring around Downtown Akron using county CARES Act funding as a foundational piece for a potential public utility, and the city is also installing free high-speed WiFi via FairlawnGig at every community
16 | The Devil Strip
center. “It’s not ideal, but we are making small incremental progress,” Hardy says. “That pace is almost completely due to the price tag to build out the fiber in every street throughout the city. Certainly it’s doable, but the reason we haven’t completely pulled the trigger with its significant cost.” That doesn’t mean it is any less urgent to mothers like McCormick, whose home internet isn’t getting any faster or more affordable. “If [the city] wants to do something for us taxpayers and parents that’s trying to motivate our children to be inspired to learn, they need to get us on a better, more affordable broadband network,” McCormick says. “Spectrum is making a killing and the internet quality isn’t there for us.”
The wine selection at Vinifera is always growing and being updated. John likes to guide his customers in new and interesting directions on their wine journey, but he is also guided by them. He listens to feedback from his employees and customers, and he aims to have great wine for every wine drinker who comes in.
// Abbey Marshall covers economic development for The Devil Strip via Report for America. Reach her at abbey@thedevilstrip.com.
The whiskey selection at Vinifera is also impressive, with more than 100 different bottles available as half-ounce tasters or one-and-ahalf-ounce pours. They also have a seasonal cocktail list, developed collaboratively by the bartenders.
Vinifera opens elevated wine and whiskey tasting room in Cuyahoga Falls Reporting, writing and photos by Emily Anderson
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fter being married for 25 years, raising two children and excelling in their respective career fields, John and Michelle Bisson were not about to let a little thing like a global pandemic stop them from following through on their empty-nest goals. They began construction for their “wine to whiskey” bar, Vinifera, just days before COVID-19 closures were ordered last March. Through 2020, the Bissons remained calm and kept their eye on the ball. Now they’re the proud owners of a beautiful new addition to our community. John and Michelle are a match made in bar-business heaven. John worked for years as a sales representative in the craft beer and wine industries. Michelle is a marketing professional. On top of that, John grew up working at his parents’ Akron-area grocery stores — Bisson’s — which were known for their large wine selection. The idea for the Vinifera concept came from their favorite place to go out while visiting their daughter in Phoenix. The Bissons ended up meeting the owners of that crostini
The staff at Vinifera are not picky about how you choose to drink your wine, either. Pours are available as two-ounce samples, six-ounce glasses, or nine-ounce glasses. Of course, the most economical choice is always to go for the whole bottle. Unfinished purchased bottles can be taken home, and there’s a 10% discount on all carryout wine (15% if you get six or more bottles.)
bar and getting some tips and tricks to bring with them back to Akron. Vinifera (vin-IF-fera) feels like a swanky hotel bar without the steep prices. The dining room is clean and sleek — everything looks brand new. The white horseshoe-shaped bar features a beautiful enomatic wine system, which gives off a futuristic, high-end vibe. There are couches and comfy chairs to relax in, and the wine is displayed on a shelf that you can walk right up to and check out for yourself. You would never know that much of the construction had to be done by the Bissons themselves, or that they encountered shortages and obstacles at every turn while they set things up during the pandemic. It’s hard to believe that just a year ago this space still had dirt floors. The Bissons don’t take all the credit for the success they’ve experienced since opening. They got help with their plans from Bounce Innovation Hub, and they say their staff members are the ones pulling everything together. Michelle said the team at Vinifera “feels like a family” — then she laughed and added, “but without the drama.” John boasted, “We have one of the most experienced staffs in the business.” What John is great at is selecting wines. He has years of experience and passion in this department. He likes all kinds of wine, but he finds deep satisfaction out of discovering a really special bottle at a reasonable price. “Wine shouldn’t be pretentious,” he tells me. “There are a lot of $10 to $15 wines out there that are great.”
May 2021 · Vol 9 · Issue #5
The food menu, created by Chef Xavier Smith, is perfectly paired to the rest of the atmosphere. It’s simple yet thoughtful and made with highquality ingredients. There are pressed sandwiches, salads, and 12 options of crostini toppings. The crostinis can be ordered in flights to snack on while you sip. Despite their all-star employee lineup (Dave Glenny, former owner of Bricco, bartends there, for example), and the glamorous ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Don Walters in November, the opening of Vinifera was actually pretty low-key. Since then, word has spread around Akron and they’re getting busier all the time. John is already working on plans to expand the capacity of the kitchen for patio season. This summer at Vinifera, we can look forward to seasonal menu updates on the food and cocktails; lunch service on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and sitting on their new, dog-friendly patio. As restrictions ease, John and Michelle are excited for more wine and whiskey tastings and educational events. Visit Vinifera at 3236 State Rd Suite A in Cuyahoga Falls. The restaurant is open Monday-Wednesday from 4-11 pm and Thursday-Saturday from 11:30 am-midnight. // Emily Anderson thinks everyone should go out and treat themselves often. thedevilstrip.com
