The scent of lavender and the buzz of neighbors filled the air this weekend at the Second Annual Honeymoon Lavender Festival, a celebration of pollinators, nature, and neighborhood revitalization hosted by Trek Coffee House on Mahoning Avenue.
Levi Binsley-Smith, owner of Trek and longtime Youngstown enthusiast, sees the festival as more than just a gathering—it’s a symbol of growth and connection. “We started last year as a celebration of pollinators and trying to really bring some family along to the neighborhood,” he said. “We want to make sure we’ve provided something out here on the west side for our community.”
The festival featured partnerships with local farms and organizations, including a live hive exhibit from the Mahoning County Beekeepers Association and lavender-themed treats from regional growers. It’s all part of Trek’s mission to blend nature, community, and sustainability.
Binsley-Smith’s journey to opening Trek’s west side location was rooted in his background in economic development. “We revitalized both of these buildings that were formerly vacant,” he explained. “Everything in these buildings, besides the brick, is 2023 in here. It was a huge partnership between a lot of different community partners.”
The retail storefront and commercial roastery next door are the two newest investments on the end of Mahoning Avenue, close to downtown. “Every city is as healthy as its main corridors,” Binsley-Smith said. “We’re becoming a healthier, brighter business, and creating a brighter future for all the families around here.”
People visiting Mill Creek Park often get stopped at the red light at Mahoning and Belle Vista. From there, you can see the newly paved road down to the Mr. Peanut Bridge (yes, yes, I know that it is officially the Spring Commons Bridge, but Mr. Peanut Bridge it ever has been and ever shall be, world without end, AMEN.) You can see the corridor itself is primed for reinvestment – new water main work, a newly paved road, and scores of under utilized commercial space.
Time will tell if the latest effort to preserve Mahoning Avenue’s role as an economic engine and driver of a vibrant neighborhood will work. Many of the other corridors in the city have attempted neighborhood stabilization efforts, with varying degrees of success. For example, drive along Glenwood and see the work that’s being done there, then compare that with Logan/Wick/Market, and again, South Avenue from, say, Indianola to downtown and 422. Each corridor has a distinct set of challenges, assets and neighborhood anchors – but not all of them are being supported and capitalized on the same way.
Rust Belt Writers 