Downtown Akron Restaurants Struggle Amid Ongoing Construction

The Lockview turns to GoFundMe as costs rise and business declines due to downtown renovations.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 9:37pm

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A photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a stack of overdue tax bills, a crumpled GoFundMe donation receipt, and a half-empty bottle of liquor on a clean, monochromatic background, symbolizing the financial pressures facing a local restaurant.As construction projects continue to disrupt operations, downtown Akron's beloved restaurants face an uncertain financial future.Akron Today

Several restaurants in downtown Akron, including the iconic Lockview, are facing financial difficulties due to ongoing construction and renovations in the area. The Lockview's owner, Danny Basone, has started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay the restaurant's bills, as the last year has been a "financial disaster" with rising costs and declining business. Other local restaurants like Eddies Famous Cheesesteaks have also been impacted, with one posting on social media about lobbying the city and county for relief grants to support businesses affected by the construction.

Why it matters

Downtown Akron's restaurants and small businesses are the lifeblood of the community, providing jobs, gathering spaces, and local character. The financial struggles of these establishments due to prolonged construction threaten the vibrancy and diversity of the city's central business district, which has already faced challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The details

The Lockview, a beloved downtown Akron restaurant known for its grilled cheese sandwiches and homemade tomato soup, is one of the businesses hit hardest by the ongoing construction. Owner Danny Basone says the last year has been a "financial disaster," with costs rising 20% and the restaurant falling behind on tax payments that are now threatening its liquor license. Basone has turned to GoFundMe to raise $6,000 to help keep the Lockview afloat. Other restaurants like Eddies Famous Cheesesteaks have also reported significant losses, estimating at least $50,000 in projected revenue due to the construction disruptions.

  • The Lockview's GoFundMe campaign was launched on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
  • The Lockview has occupied the space at 207 S. Main St. in downtown Akron since Basone purchased it in 2001, with the restaurant previously operating as Stone's Grill in the 1930s and Mr. Bilbo's in the early 1980s.

The players

The Lockview

A beloved downtown Akron restaurant known for its grilled cheese sandwiches, homemade tomato soup, salads, and cocktails. The Lockview has occupied the same space at 207 S. Main St. since 2001, when owner Danny Basone purchased the establishment.

Danny Basone

The owner of The Lockview restaurant in downtown Akron. Basone purchased the restaurant in 2001 and transformed it from the previous Lime Spider music club and bar.

Eddies Famous Cheesesteaks and Grille

Another restaurant located at 147 S. Main St. in downtown Akron that has also been impacted by the ongoing construction, estimating at least $50,000 in projected revenue losses.

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What they’re saying

“The last year has been a financial disaster for The Lockview. The city of Akron began construction downtown just before COVID hit, and since then, it's been an uphill battle to keep the doors open. On top of that, the cost of everything we need to run the restaurant has gone up by 20%, making it even harder to stay afloat. Throughout all of this, I've always made sure my employees were paid first, even if it meant falling behind on other bills. Unfortunately, that's caught up with us—our taxes are now overdue, and it's threatening our liquor license.”

— Danny Basone, Restaurant Owner

“It's so heartbreaking that my neighbors have to ask the Akron community for help. On behalf of Eddies I donated this morning. Their history includes so many wonderful stories and events. After all the Lime Spider launched the Black Keys in many ways.”

— Eddies Famous Cheesesteaks and Grille, Social Media Post

What’s next

The Lockview's owner, Danny Basone, is hoping the GoFundMe campaign will raise enough money to help the restaurant pay its overdue taxes and avoid losing its liquor license. Local officials have yet to respond to pleas from restaurants like Eddies Famous Cheesesteaks for relief grants to support businesses impacted by the ongoing downtown construction.

The takeaway

The financial struggles of downtown Akron's iconic restaurants like The Lockview highlight the broader challenges facing small businesses in the city's central business district. As construction and renovation projects continue to disrupt operations and squeeze profit margins, the long-term viability of these community hubs is under threat, underscoring the need for greater support and relief efforts from local government.