It’s been a busy week in Youngstown. Let’s start with something we can all raise a glass to....
Opening soon, a tavern on Broad Street in Canfield, behind it are four friends — Jacob Marapese, Antonia Triglia, Ryan Loney, and Jessica Ditman — all familiar faces in the local service industry. After years spent behind the bar and on the floor, they’re coming together to create a place of their own. The goal: to build something timeless. When we asked what kind of spot they wanted it to be, their answer was simple and sincere: the kind of bar that feels warm and familiar — your neighborhood “Cheers,” where you can settle in, grab a drink, and always feel welcome.
We asked what gap they hoped to fill in the community, and their response said it all. After years in the service industry, each of them has gathered a family of regulars — people who’ve followed them from one bar to the next. They know those same faces will soon gather again at their new place. As they put it, “It’s not the bar — it’s the people who fill it that make it feel like home.”
Even the name carries a story. It’s a tribute to their former manager, Craig Deoring, affectionately known as “Skippy,” who they all worked with at The Pour House in Boardman. They call him “the best in the business,” crediting him for bringing the four of them together and showing them what true hospitality looks like — how to make people feel seen, cared for, and eager to come back.
The menu will feature casual but thoughtful offerings like sandwiches, salads, flatbreads, and more, with plans to add brunch and mimosas down the road. Behind the bar, expect craft beers across 12 taps, specialty cocktails, and all the classics.
The opening date is still under wraps — but one thing’s certain: when the doors finally open, this new neighborhood tavern will already feel like home.
The West Side’s go-to spot for bowling, live music, and solid slices — is reviving its Pay-It-Forward program, offering free pizzas to anyone who needs one. The idea is simple: if you can spare ten bucks, you cover the cost of a 12-inch pizza for someone who might be struggling right now.
The program first started during the pandemic, when Westside Bowl handed out over 10,000 pizzas thanks to community donations. Now, with SNAP benefits in limbo and federal workers going unpaid during the shutdown, they’re doing it again — because nobody in this city should go hungry.
If you need a pizza, call 330-792-7675. If you’d like to donate, you can do so in person or online here
It’s a reminder that while the world feels uncertain, Youngstown still knows how to take care of its own.
Youngstown has a new mayor. Independent candidate Derrick McDowell officially unseated two-term mayor Jamael Tito Brown, marking a rare win for an independent in city history — the first since Jay Williams in 2005.
McDowell is also the founder of The Youngstown Flea, the downtown market he’s run for the past ten years, transforming an empty lot into a gathering place for makers, food, and community.
“This is not a moment to puff myself up,” McDowell told supporters on election night. “This is a moment to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”
A South Side native and Chaney High grad, McDowell has spent his career rooted in Youngstown — from his work with the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre and Riverfront Park to building one of the city’s most recognizable local brands. His campaign centered on economic development, education, transparency, and rebuilding trust between City Hall and residents.
He’s already made it clear that communication will be at the top of his list. “You wouldn’t believe how a community reacts to being forgotten about,” he said. “Communication must be a priority from City Hall.”
For many voters, this election wasn’t about party lines — it was about being heard. And in true Youngstown fashion, it seems the city decided to put someone in charge who’s been bringing people together one Saturday market at a time.
Who knew the road from the Flea to the Mayor’s Office was only a few blocks, just with a lot more paperwork.
Something strange is happening at the Southern Park Mall — and honestly, we’re all just trying to figure out what’s going on.
On Monday morning, employees from stores like Bath & Body Works and Hollister received texts telling them not to come in because the mall was closed due to “operational safety concerns.” Which is corporate speak for, “Something’s wrong, but we’re figuring it out.”
Adding to the mystery, the Boardman Fire Department arrived to ensure everyone inside was safe (which, in fairness, only makes this sound even more dramatic). A few of the big players like JCPenney, Macy’s, and Buffalo Wild Wings stayed open — the mall itself, however, was sealed off like a scene from The Office: Retail Apocalypse Edition.
But here’s where the story gets even wilder: the mall’s parent company, Kohan Retail Investment Group, reportedly owes $948,118.84 in unpaid property taxes — nearly a million dollars. And this isn’t a one-time mistake. Kohan has a bit of a reputation across the country for this exact issue, owing back taxes on more than half of its properties nationwide.
According to Mahoning County Treasurer Dan Yemma, communication with Kohan has been… minimal. In his words: “The method in which they seem to handle these things is not good.” A diplomatic way of saying, “We’ve sent the emails. They’re not answering.”
At this point, local officials are describing the mall as being “on life support.” And while the doors may technically still open each day, it’s starting to feel like the spirit of the place has already left the building.
Still, the mall is a major part of Boardman’s landscape — it funds local schools, services, and the community. So while the jokes come easy, the situation’s pretty real: nearly a million dollars in unpaid taxes doesn’t just disappear, and the future of Southern Park might be hanging in the balance.
Until then, we’ll be over here, watching the mall saga unfold and wondering if “operational safety concerns” is just corporate code for we forgot to pay the bill …again
A film centered around the Mancini crime family, a real piece of Youngstown’s storied past, is set to premiere at The Columbiana Theatre on November 28th.
The film dives into the city’s deep history with organized crime, told through the lens of one of its most notorious families. It’s a story that’s long been whispered around town — now brought to life on the big screen.
General admission tickets are $30 and can be purchased through the Columbiana Theatre’s website here.
So dust off your best mob-era look and make your way to Columbiana for opening night — a chance to see Youngstown’s history take center stage.
There’s already talk of additional local showings, but this premiere marks the very first.