Whole Latte Love Café receives $10,000 for future academy
Whole Latte Love Café, a nonprofit organization that operates a cafe in North Canton and provides job training for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has received a $10,000 donation from Scott Mitchell Insurance Agency.
The donation will be used for start-up costs of the Whole CommUNITY Academy, a vocational training opportunity for students with special education needs that is expected to open in the 2025-2026 school year. According to the nonprofit’s website, the academy aims to “support, train, and place individuals with disabilities in meaningful, competitive, and integrated employment before students graduate from high school.”
Scott Mitchell Insurance Agency received $5,000 in the Make More Happen Awards from Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance and doubled the award with a public voting campaign in May.
“Whole Latte Love Cafe not only empowers individuals, but also challenges the assumptions we as a society make about people who are different. Their work helps make our community more inclusive,” Scott Mitchell, owner of the insurance agency and board member of Whole Latte Love Cafe, is quoted as saying on agentgiving.com about the campaign.
Whole Latte Love Café is located at 1308 S Main St. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Chuck E. Cheese on the Strip celebrates renovation
Chuck E. Cheese at The Strip Plaza in Jackson Township has reopened after renovations. The family entertainment center at 6370 Strip Ave. NW celebrated a grand reopening on June 5.
“Guests can experience the completely reimagined Chuck E. Cheese, featuring new games with varying difficulty levels for players of all ages, an interactive dance floor and a 200-inch LED video wall,” the company said in a statement.
Chuck E. Cheese is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Summer Fun Pass packages are available now through September 2nd and include unlimited visits for two months with 40 to 250 games per day and discounts on food, drinks and additional games.
Ohio Gratings Inc. is the winner of PLAN SPONSOR of the Year
Ohio Gratings, a family-owned company in Perry Township specializing in gratings and metal flooring, was named 2024 PLAN SPONSOR of the Year in the under $50 million retirement plan category.
The annual awards program recognizes plan sponsors who demonstrate “exemplary commitment” to participants’ retirement success, according to plansponsor.com. The company’s 401(k) plan has nearly 600 participants.
Owners John and Karen Bartley revised the plan in 2023, replacing the company match with a 4% employer contribution, independent of employees’ voluntary contributions each year. Employees also receive quarterly profit-sharing bonuses.
“We’re paying it forward for them and contributing on their behalf,” President and CEO John Bartley said in a prepared statement. “We felt this was the right thing to do as an employer. We want to show our team that we live our core values, care about them and help them become financially independent.”
In early 2023, Ohio Gratings also launched a retirement preparation campaign that included one-on-one on-site meetings between employees and financial planners from Barberton-based Bruton Chisnell Advisors. The company now boasts a 96.8% participation rate in its retirement plan – a 15% increase since 2021.
“We want our employees to enjoy financial freedom, so we meet people where they are and give them hope and the knowledge they need to create a better future for themselves and their families,” Chief Transformation Officer Karen Bartley said in a prepared statement. “At Ohio Gratings, we pride ourselves on taking the best care of our employees.”
Read more: Looking for an unusual employee benefit? Some companies offer company chaplains
Society Brands acquires Vitality Now
Society Brands, an e-commerce aggregator, has added Vitality Now to its portfolio of about a dozen brands. The Canton-based company announced the acquisition in early June.
Vitality Now offers nutritional supplements for health and wellness and generates more than 90% of its revenue through direct-to-consumer sales, according to a press release. The company is led by Brian Bigelow, Robby Amaro and Adam Elkaim.
“We are excited to partner with Brian, Robby and Adam, who are extremely talented entrepreneurs in their own right, and offer them our expertise to continue to grow and expand their incredible business,” said Michael Sirpilla, co-founder and CEO of Society Brands, in a prepared statement. “When I met the team, I knew it could be a strong partnership because our values align and they embrace the unique business model we have fostered at Society Brands.”
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. With the latest acquisition, around 75 percent of Society Brands’ revenue now comes from the health and personal care sector.
Society Brands’ announcement said the brand would expand to more consumers, including an international market. Vitality Now executives praised the deal in prepared statements.
Chief Executive Officer Brian Bigelow said the partnership was “the perfect next step,” while Chief Operating Officer Adam Elkaim called it an ideal time to “partner with a network of health-conscious brands.”
“This partnership is not just a strategic move, but a leap into a future where together we can inspire and improve the lives of countless people,” said CEO Robby Amaro.
Modern Hearing Solutions celebrates 30th anniversary
Modern Hearing Solutions and Choice Hearing Center are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. The independent audiology practice has clinics in Canton, Alliance, Akron, New Philadelphia, Wadsworth and Millersburg.
Eric Mounts, a hearing aid specialist, founded the company after recognizing the need for high-quality hearing care in the Dover area. According to a press release, the center has been providing “individualized care and innovative solutions” for people with hearing loss, tinnitus and cognitive decline since 1994.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this important milestone in our journey,” Mounts said in a prepared statement. “It has been a remarkable 30 years filled with meaningful connections, transformative experiences and countless success stories. None of this would have been possible without the trust and support of our community and the dedication of our incredible team.”
Modern Hearing Solutions and Choice Hearing Center also regularly host and participate in community workshops and events to raise awareness about hearing and brain health. The Canton-area clinic is located at 4072 Munson St. NW in Jackson Township. For more information about the center, visit modernhearingsolutions.net.
Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323 or [email protected]
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