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Love Our Community: Bringing Hope and Stability to Those in Need
Help us congratulate our Community Impact Award recipient, Love Our Community, in recognition of its compassion-based vision and outstanding grassroots efforts that have transformed Little Elk Mobile Home Park into a place where neighbors can tangibly care for and help one another.
The LOC mission has been carried out with a heartfelt mindset of raising awareness of our community’s unspoken and sometimes hidden needs. This can range from housing and physical needs, to support in multiple forms, ultimately seeking to bring hope, wholeness, and security in who God created them to be.

The Lake Township Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Stephanie Byler as the recipient of the 2024 Community Betterment Award. She has been selected to receive this award in recognition of her significant investment in our community through the substantial renovations completed to her property at 465 West Maple Street in Hartville, the current location of French Rooster and Reignn Outfitters.

When Stephanie Byler launched her design and construction business in 2016, she had a five-year plan handwritten on a notepad. It consisted of opening and advertising her Stylehouse retail decor store, and building a client base, along with a few other key items:

Our next featured Award recipient is Teacher of the Year, Luisa Gunther from Lake Local Schools.

Born in Uruguay, Luisa has had the desire to teach since she was a child, and she believes that God has blessed her with the opportunity to fulfill this lifelong desire. After graduating with a teacher certification in ESL, Luisa taught in her homeland for seven years before coming to the United States through an exchange program. While in the program she was offered a TA position and a scholarship at the University of Akron, where she graduated with a Masters in Spanish. She remained and worked in the states for 13 years as an adjunct instructor. She was hired at Lake High Schools in 1999...

Hartville Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery has been a cornerstone of the community for 59 years. Under the leadership of Vernon Sommers, Jr., who began managing the business in 1970 at the age of 20, the business has grown into a destination known for its hospitality, quality, and innovative vision.

Drawing on his experience in maintenance, construction, and farming, Vernon developed a focus on efficient workflows, thoughtful design, and a seamless guest experience. His attention to consistency—in food, service, and overall operations—has become a hallmark of Hartville Kitchen.

With an impressive 29 years of experience in real estate, Greg and Stacie are not just leaders in the industry but pillars of the Lake community. Growing up, living, working, and serving here, they’ve truly dedicated their lives to making our community stronger and better.

Lisa Robertson is the Executive Director for Hope Bridge, a non-profit that works to support our local foster care system through prevention - by supporting vulnerable single moms who are at risk of Child Welfare involvement, through intervention - by wrapping around foster, adoptive, and kinship caregivers with support and encouragement, and through restoration - by engaging youth at risk of aging out of the foster care system—and those who already have, with a healthy community and connection to support. After nearly a decade of foster parenting, Lisa has gained years of experience in advocacy, biological family relationship preservation, and the preventative work of keeping families together. She is married to J.J. and they have four children together through birth and adoption.

The Lake Township Chamber of Commerce and HARTVILLE/LAKE Community Development (HLCD) are thrilled to announce the design and creation of Gateway Markers as part of the ongoing West Maple Corridor Revitalization Project. The overall purpose of the West Maple Revitalization project, released in 2022, is to beautify and connect the community along West Maple Street from Historic Downtown Hartville to the roundabout at the Hartville Hardware, Kitchen, MarketPlace & Flea Market. Gateway Markers will help tell the story and express the identity of the West Maple Corridor at key thresholds into and out of the community.

Lake Middle High School will host their annual Veterans Day Celebration on Monday, November 11, 2024.

The Lake Township Chamber of Commerce announces that it is collaborating with GentleBrook and OhioMeansJobs to host a Job Fair on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 11 am to 2 pm. The three-hour event will be held at the GentleBrook SportsPlex, 880 Sunnyside St. SW, in Hartville.

The Lake Township Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its 2023 Lake Chamber Award (LCA) recipients. There will be awards presented in six categories, and the recipients will be honored at a banquet at The Hartville Kitchen on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

On Saturday, February 10th, 20 Hartville area shops will open their doors for their first Galentine's Shop Hop, a community-wide shopping spree dedicated to celebrating friendship and showing love to local businesses.

The Lake Township Chamber of Commerce has opened nominations for its annual Lake Chamber Awards, which acknowledge business and community leaders for their leadership and community contributions.

The Lake Township Chamber of Commerce (LTCC) has awarded $5,000 in Small Business Development Microgrants to member businesses.

The Lake Township Chamber of Commerce has announced that it will move its offices to historic downtown Hartville at 115 Prospect Ave. South, in the space formerly leased by Lynn Michelle Design. After more than a decade of having the Chamber office located at Lake Local Schools, the Chamber board led by Dr. Chip Weisel decided earlier this year to move closer to the heart of downtown.

The Lake Township Chamber of Commerce has developed a MicroGrant Program to assist member small businesses. The Chamber will award Small Business Development MicroGrants of up to $1,000 to each approved small business. Grants will be awarded for use toward programs or projects that will grow or develop a small business.

Stark Parks is seeking feedback on a proposed project in Hartville and Lake Township as it applies for a grant to help fund the project.

The Lake Township Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its 2022 Lake Chamber Award (LCA) recipients. There will be awards in seven categories, with a total of 10 individuals representing seven organizations. The recipients will be honored at a banquet at The Hartville Kitchen on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. All recipients were nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of members.

You know Maize Valley, Farm, Market, Winery & Craft Brewery for their lavender fields, corn maze, pumpkin cannon and a whole host of agritourism based events and activities throughout the year. NEW in 2022 is the introduction of Regenerative Agricultural Practices to public accessible activities including Sunflower U-Cut events. U-Cut sunflower opportunities are not unusual in Northeast Ohio however this production method is.

The tourism division of the Lake Township Chamber of Commerce has developed a new map and online shopping guide to help visitors discover Hartville-area antique and thrift shops.

The Villas at GentleBrook offer peacefully quiet living conveniently close to modern amenities for people age 55 and older.

First Tee - Canton will celebrate 20 years of impact in Stark County in 2022.

Hartville Thrift Shoppe donates $1 million.

The Hartville/Lake Community Development (HLCD) organization was awarded a Visit Canton Recovery and Destination Development Grant for the design, development and construction of Wayfinding Signage along the West Maple Street corridor.

The Lake Chamber is pleased to announce it is now a member the Northern Ohio Area Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) in order to provide even more tangible benefits of chamber membership to local businesses.

Those that ventured out for networking and a ribbon cutting on the rainy morning of August 18th enjoyed coffee and treats while taking in the beautiful locally made and sourced goods on display. From cutting boards to candles to stained glass, it's easy to find that perfect gift or finishing touch for your home! Stop by Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays to explore both levels which hold handmade items from 47 local artisans.

Chamber members enjoyed a fun and informative Morning Connections on Wednesday, July 21st at Modern Vintage. Tara Weiderman and her cohorts have performed an amazing transformation in the former Hartville Meat Locker! As a bonus, members got to visit Coletti Interiors right next door. Be sure to visit both shops and check out their gorgeous and creative wares such as skillfully painted and refinished furniture, home decor, handmade items and antiques.

Modern Vintage is a small group of local artists that share ideas, rent, working duties, and an appreciation for making something wanted out of the unwanted.

Hartville Nutrition, a self-described social club which serves shakes and specialty teas, hosted its official ribbon-cutting ceremony held jointly with the Lake Township Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, May 19, 2021.

Hartville, OH — Superior Auto Detail hosted its official ribbon-cutting ceremony held jointly with the Lake Township Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, May 5, 2021.