I’m Alivia Hershberger, a lifelong Stark County resident, wife to my high school sweetheart and mom of four kids!  After living in Stark County my entire life, I have come to know and love so many amazing places and local businesses! 

 

Here is a little bit about me. I was born and raised in Stark County by my amazing parents, Tim and Cindy Laps. I am one of EIGHT kids! Yes, Eight! My childhood years are full of great memories and crazy stories! Life was busy!!! I attended a local public school and then graduated from Heritage Christian School, where I met my husband. After graduation I attended National Beauty college and got my cosmetology license. I pursued a career at a local salon and loved it! 

 

After some time though, I became a stay at home mom, the kind that is never home.  My 4 kids, my husband and I are always on the go!! We love it this way.  But I kept feeling like I was being called to reach out to the women in the community. After feeling this way for a few months,  I decided to start a social media page all about doing random acts of kindness, teaching my kids about giving and to reach out to the community. Simply Give was born. 

 

Our message was short and sweet - Giving Is Simple - you just start giving with what you have, whether that be time, finances or kindness. Simply Give. I heard about this awesome event being hosting in LA called Mardi Bra that was hosted the week of Mardi Gras to bring women together to collect new bras, new underwear and feminine products for local women’s shelters. We hosted our first Mardi Bra in 2014! Later that year we hosted another women’s event called Women of Strength, where we assembled chemotherapy care bags for local cancer centers. 

 

Between creating the connections as a hair stylist (now retired) having Simply Give and having four kids in sports, I have come to know and love so many women and locally owned businesses in our community! 

 

I recently started a new business, with a play on my name, called “Liv Local.” Through Liv Local, I support local businesses by posting reels & pictures on my social channels. I also love to bring women together through hosting events, introducing them to local business owners and collaborating with them to support the community. 

 

BeLocal Magazine is the perfect chance to tell you about some of my favorite spots, dates, self care ideas and all over local goodness so that you can “Liv Local” too. 

 

Being a wife and mama of four kids, I have so many places I like to go on dates with my husband, where I can recharge from motherhood and a few family faves! 

 

First of all, let me say that I’m kind of a foodie! I love a good coffee shop with good vibes, I love a good bakery with a good buttercream icing and a good meal with a great atmosphere. 

 

Let me tell you about my husband and I’s favorite date spots! My husband Shawn and I have been together for 23 years. And with having four kids, we know the importance of spending time together. It's not about the amount of money spent on the date, just the time that we get to spend together.  

 

One of our favorite things to do when the kids are in school is going to Sippo Lake Park to walk the trails. It is absolutely gorgeous all summer.  We sometimes even go out on a paddle boat. First of all, we laugh so much because it is honestly a lot harder than you think…or maybe I’ve just been visiting those bakeries too much.

 

 

If you like a good breakfast date, we like Twisted Citrus in North Canton. It has really cool vibes. My husband’s favorite is the breakfast tacos. I like the breakfast quesadilla and may I suggest getting a pancake for an appetizer? Appetizers are totally appropriate at breakfast, not that you needed permission. 

 

For lunch dates, we like to go to Grinder’s - the sweet potato fries (extra crispy) with cajun dipping sauce are amazing. And their veggie burger is divine. BAM Healthy Cuisine (in North Canton and Jackson) is also a great place for lunch. They have lots of healthy options and an awesome outdoor patio. 

 

If you want a romantic date night spot, I suggest The Crush House at Gervasi Vineyards. Great food, cool vibes and all-around wonderful atmosphere! 91 also is so good, has great risotto and their bread and dipping oil is amazing. My husband’s faves are Fruedy’s or Sparta! Both have great steaks and pastas! 

 

Ok ladies, let’s talk girls' night! Can you even have a girl's night without cheese dip? One of my favorite places to go with my friends is Francisco’s which is located in Belden Village. The owners are so amazing and the food is so delicious. Think upscale but down-to-earth Mexican food. 

 

Table Six is a cool place to go to! They have a shareable menu and lots of mocktails and cocktails! My favorite thing there are the brussel sprout tacos and the table wedge salad! They have amazing appetizers, entrées, like chicken and waffles, and scrumptious dessert. 

 

Looking for great Asian and Thai food? I got you covered!! Rice Paper located in Belden Villiage is adorable! You walk into tons of lanterns hanging from the ceiling, cozy tables and wonderful food! My personal fave is the Chicken Cashew Nut! Just be warned, they can make your food as spicy as you like it. I usually order a level “1” and my eyes water!  Asian Garden is another fave and located in Perry Township. They have the best egg rolls around town and they're family owned!! 

 

Have little kids? Here are some suggestions on places you can spend your spring and summer. We have some amazing local parks!! Veterans Park is in Plain Township and is perfect if you have kids under 8! They have a splash pad in the summer too! Boetler park is great for older kids with lots of activities like a ZipLine, Gaga ball, swing sets, jungle gyms and more! Dogwood Park is located in North Canton and is brand new! It’s great for kids of all ages and also accommodates kids of all abilities. 

 

Looking for something to do on a rainy day? Check out Ninja Hub to climb lots of obstacles and to be a ninja warrior. If that’s not your thing, you can shoot hoops at Swish365 or hit some baseball at D-BAT North Canton. 

 

Side note if you are a sports family like us, you’ll want to know that there is an ER “after hours” at Omni which is now Ortho United. We’ve been there a time or two for broken bones. 

 

More of my local faves:

 

Sol Pie

Pizza Oven 

Italos

Kraus’ 

Park Street 

 

Milk and Honey 

Almost Heaven 

Country Cones

Pavs

Heggy’s

 

Ohio Roasting Co.

Tremont Coffee

Shale 

Still House at Gervasi

Muggzwigs 

 

Sprinkle City 

Johnnies Bakery 

Hazel and Rye

Dough Co.

Fisher Foods Bakery 

 

Love Beautiful Skin - facials

Inner Whisper - Hot Stone Massage and guided Mediation 

JE Nail Spa - Pedicures 

 

Bird’s Nest Boutique 

Mainstream Boutique 

The Love District Boutique 

Grateful Heart 

 

These are just a FEW of my favorite places and spaces!!!  I’d love for you to follow along on my socials as I venture out to find more local places that I love!! 

 

I know you’ll love living in Stark County! It’s a great place to be!! So glad you are here in our community! 

 

Thank you for BEing LOCAL- and LIVing LOCAL! 

 

Liv