It’s now not clear when the 365 by Whole Foods grocery in West Akron will open.
A spokeswoman for the developers of the plaza told the Beacon Journal early this week that the store would open in the early fall.
However, another spokeswoman for the developers said Wednesday morning that this date may not be accurate and has not been confirmed by Whole Foods. She said she anticipates Whole Foods revealing an opening date “very soon.”
The store will anchor West Market Street Station, which will include the first Piada Italian Street Food for this area. Piada, a Columbus chain, also is planning a site in the Portage Crossing development off State Road in Cuyahoga Falls.
In other West Market Street Station news, there’s no tenant signed up for the latest building to begin construction in the development, facing West Market Street next to the Circle K gas station. A nail salon, pet supply store and hair salon also are planned, and a gym that is part of the Orangetheory chain opened last month.
Meanwhile, about two miles west in Fairlawn, folks at the 2.0 version of West Point Market hope to have the grocery’s second phase open in the next few weeks.
The first phase opened in December. The new West Point is at 33 Shiawassee Ave., west of Fairlawn Town Centre. You can check out the first phase at Pizza & Pints Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the wine and craft beer bar area of the store.
The second phase of the store will include cheeses, meats, bakery items, oven-ready foods and a deli.
Pizza Palooza
A big pizza party is coming to Stow-Munroe Falls High, 3227 Graham Road, from noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 29.
A dozen shops and restaurants have signed up to participate in the inaugural Pizza Palooza to benefit student programs in the Stow-Munroe Falls school district. That’s double the number expected, said Gary Aleman, with the Stow-Munroe Falls Community Foundation, which is organizing the fest.
Locally owned places such as Altieri’s Pizza in Stow and Dontino’s in Akron’s North Hill will participate, as well as chains. Attendees can cast votes for People’s Choice.
Entertainment will include music by Dusk Till Dawn DJs. The new Peace, Love & Little Donuts in Hudson will be among the purveyors of sweet stuff.
Each food item and experience (bounce house, face painting, balloon animal etc.) will cost $1. Go to www.SMFcommunity.org for more information.
Chocolate festival
Indulge your chocolate cravings at the 20th annual Medina Chocolate Festival from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Medina County Fairgrounds Community Center at 735 Lafayette Road in Medina.
Tickets run $10 and will be available at the door. You can get them ahead of time at all Medina County Buehler’s groceries, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory at the Ohio Station Outlets mall just outside Lodi, or at http://fiamedina.org. Each ticket gets you eight two-bite samples of chocolate delights made by a variety of vendors.
In addition to the chocolate sampling, the event will include a CandyLand play area for kids, Valentine’s Day gift shopping and entertainment. New this year will be a beer, wine and cheese sampling (for a separate charge).
The event benefits the Faith in Action Medina County Caregivers, which provides services to older adults and people with disabilities and is supported by several congregations.
Chili challenge
Reminder: The 11th Annual Firefighters Chili Challenge comes to Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron on Friday.
Each year, Akron firefighters issue a challenge to other city departments and local businesses to see who can create the best pot of chili, and the members of the public get to cast their votes.
The event begins at 11 a.m. and lasts as long as the chili does.
Cost is $10 for six four-ounce samples and a soft drink; one sample costs $1.50. Proceeds benefit the burn unit at Akron Children’s Hospital. Beverages available.
Adventurous dinner
Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar and Crave, both in downtown Akron, will host a six-course wine dinner with adventurous pairings Jan. 23.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. with the first three courses at Nuevo, at 54 E. Mill St., then move to Crave. A trolley will shuttle patrons back and forth. Tickets are $85, plus tax and tip.
Reservations are required at 330-762-8000. For information, go to http://akron.nuevomodmex.com.
Wines will be provided by a new local wine distributor founded by Alan Burge, Bottle To Glass. Burge is an architect known for his work renovating older structures. He designed Nuevo and Crave — both in restored buildings — among other restaurants.
Wedding cake shows
• Acme Fresh Market will host its free Wedding Cake Show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at its Portage Lakes store, 3235 Manchester Road in Coventry Township.
Register online at www.acmestores.com/weddingshow for a chance to win a wedding cake.
The Manchester Road store is the home of the grocer’s catering operation, which offers services for weddings, among other occasions.
• The free annual wedding cake show at Reeves Cake Shop in Akron will celebrate its 26th year from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 28-29.
The shop at 2770 Cory Ave. will have more than 20 flavors of cake for sampling, and 40 cakes will be on display. For information, visit www.reevescakeshop.com, phone 330-848-1036 or email info@reevescakeshop.com.
Send local food news to Katie Byard at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com. You can follow her @KatieByardABJ on Twitter or on Facebook at www.facebook.com and read the Akron Dish blog at www.ohio.com/food.