MANTUA, Ohio -- You may know the 44255 as a means to escape, a road many travel to get to Route 80.
"We kind of have to change people's perception about the village,” Patrick Frost, Mantua resident, said.
If you ever stop in the village of Mantua, though, you’ll unzip the real treasure.
At first glance, the village of about 1,000 people is only a couple of blocks of lonely storefronts but there’s more than what meets the eye.
"We have so much support within the community that people aren't afraid to take a chance and open their business,” Frost said.
K&K Meat Shoppe is on Main Street, It’s an old-fashioned butcher shop and deli.
Owners Dennis Sr. and Dennis Jr. decided to open the shop in 2001 and it’s been a village staple ever since.
"It's coming from all Ohio farms,” Gina, manager, said. “It is cut here. Our sausage is made here, we have our own smokehouse, same recipe for over 35 years."
It's a lot of hometown support from homegrown people.
“There's a connection to the community that makes it worthwhile living here,” Sue Steinberg said.
Steinberg is one of the members of Downtown Mantua Revitalization, constantly working to improve the village with new crosswalk signs, village banners and raising money for renovations.
The latest notch on Mantua’s belt is earning the title of being a Buckeye Trail Town, the first village in Northeast Ohio to receive that designation.
The village is nestled close to the turnpike and 422, giving it an outdoor appeal and Breakaway Excursions gives people the equipment they need to appreciate it all.
"We have kayak rentals, we have snow shoe rentals, we have an indoor archery range,” Pam, co-owner, said.
For the really adventurous, try making or blowing glass at Frost Glass.
"We are available for private groups, demos and make your own glass,” Frost said.
You won’t just find adventure in the village, you might also run into a local celebrity.
"It's like a rags to riches story. In 2016, I won the Queen of Hearts drawing."
Terri Vechery was $3.4 million richer in just a matter of minutes, but the money just helped her move forward with her dream of investing in the community.
She even bought a vacant building to give back to the people who love the village as much as she does.
"I'm gonna open a general store, which has always been my dream,” Vechery said.