About

Hi, I’m Gabrielle—mom, maker, and proud Stark County local.

With Andrew, I created Stark Shops Local because I love this community, and I wanted to build something more than just another small business directory.

Stark County is full of creativity, hardworking families, cool events, quirky shops, and hidden gems—but most of it flies under the radar. So I started blogging about the things I care about:

• Free family fun

• Great local food

• Cool places to take the kids (and the dog!)

• Creative side hustles

• Local businesses doing awesome things

What started as a way to support small businesses turned into something more personal: a lifestyle blog that shares my real-life experiences living, working, and parenting here in Northeast Ohio.

I also run a dog training business (Brilliant Paws) and design custom merch through Gabble Design—you’ll see those projects pop up here too.

Why “Stark Shops Local” is Different

• We’re not trying to be Yelp.

• We’re not trying to be the Chamber of Commerce.

• We’re not chasing algorithms.

We’re just one local family sharing what we find helpful, fun, and worth celebrating.

If that sounds like your vibe, stick around! Subscribe to our newsletter, grab a freebie, or follow along for new blog posts each month.

Check out our other projects!