Copy of Hometown Holidays: Lake County 2026

A little festive cheer, a place to rejuvenate, gifts galore, and the opportunity to get those last-minute projects finished in time for Christmas. It’s all here at home, in Lake County.

The Charlton Abbott

Santa Claus is coming to town. Saturday, December 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Old Saint Nick is making his way to The Charlton Abbott. Just in time to get your holiday cards done, photographer Dawn Podboy from Dawned Images is booking 15-minute private photo sessions for couples and families. Families must schedule in advance for photos at dawnedimages.pixieset.com/booking/santa-session-2026.

A delightful complimentary hot cocoa bar, music and more to put you in a festive mood.

Whether for weddings, showers, pop-up markets, wellness workshops, tastings, community events, fundraisers or corporate functions, the beautifully restored barn behind The Charlton Abbott is booking up for the holidays and beyond.

“Dating back to 1853, we took our time in restoring the barn to its original vibe,” says owner Lisa DeSico-Boyd. “The stalls and loft that once housed animals and hay now provide the setting for unique gatherings. It’s rustic and authentic, with the sophisticated edge of vintage equine oil paintings and posh chandeliers for modern sparkle.”

She says they’ve hosted several weddings for under 90 attendees and are booking into 2027.

“Although we can’t have live music, we work with couples to select their signature music to play,” she says. “This fall a wedding began with the ceremony and dinner in the barn, then spilled outside to the patio for dancing. It was a perfect evening. Whether for weddings or special events, we have a short list of caterers and florists who we’ve worked with and are happy to help people coordinate all the details.”



Inside the Charlton Abbott mansion, Lisa also offers beautifully appointed private offices for rent, flexible memberships and thoughtfully designed common areas including a gourmet coffee café and conference rooms.

The Charlton Abbott is located at 37903 Euclid Avenue, in Willoughby. Call 440-710-6561 or visit WilloughbyWorkspaces.com for more information.

Santa Claus is coming to town. Saturday, December 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Old Saint Nick is making his way to The Charlton Abbott.

Club Pilates

The buzz around reformer Pilates grows each year for good reason. Health advocates tout the slow, controlled movements for strengthening the core, posture, flexibility and functionality, while improving circulation, alleviating pain and reducing inflammation. It’s a tall order that people locally have discovered actually delivers.

“It’s rewarding to see our members say they’re back to doing the things they love, like playing with their grandchildren,” says Alex Benn, regional manager at Club Pilates studios in Willoughby and Mentor. “The workouts are geared toward every age and every fitness level.”

There may be smaller Pilates studios popping up around town, but none offer the highly trained instructors, bevy of equipment and breadth of classes, 60-70 per week to suit every level from beginner to advanced.

“Classes run from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. to meet busy members’ lives,” he adds. “And we keep the experience meaningful by limiting classes to 12 people maximum. Tapping into reformers, jump boards and suspension straps helps people intensify their results. Our fusion classes throw in cardio and sculpting that members enjoy.”

Offers and Sales

Don’t miss the Black Friday Sale from Friday, November 27, through Friday, December 4, with specials on merchandise like Lululemon and Alo Yoga wear, as well as specials on gift cards. The Club Pilates Mentor Studio is hosting a Sip & Shop event on Sunday, December 6, with visiting vendors such as Blank Boutique. As an introductory special at either studio, new members who join in November will receive 30% off their first month of eight or unlimited classes, plus a waiver of the usual $149 enrollment fee.

Club Pilates Willoughby South studio is located at 5872 SOM Center Road in Willoughby, 

440-856-4040. The Mentor studio is at 2257 Mentor Avenue in Mentor, 440-534-8075. For more information, visit ClubPilates.com.

At Club Pilates, owner Beth Andrus and her team elevate classic Pilates with state-of-the-art equipment—from Reformers and springboards to suspension TRX.

Hannah’s Harbor

The holiday season is the perfect time to find thoughtful gifts, spruce up your home and give back to the community. This year, Hannah’s Harbor in Mentor invites you to make your holiday shopping a little more meaningful.

An extension of Hannah’s Home, a Christ-centered maternity home for pregnant women in crisis, Hannah’s Harbor is a thrift store open to the public. It’s filled with treasures waiting to be discovered. From clothing and accessories to home décor, kitchenware, toys, baby items and seasonal finds, you never know what hidden gems you might uncover.

But Hannah’s Harbor is about much more than bargain hunting. The store also serves as a job skills training program for the women of Hannah’s Home. Through hands-on experience in retail, customer service, organization and other workplace skills, moms gain valuable experience, build confidence and take steps toward creating a more stable future for themselves and their children.

Best of all, every purchase helps support these opportunities and the mission of Hannah’s Home.

Community support plays an important role in making it all possible. By shopping at Hannah’s Harbor or donating gently used items, you help create opportunities for women to learn, grow and build brighter futures for their families.

So, as you check off your holiday shopping list, why not stop by Hannah’s Harbor? You might just find the perfect gift for someone special while giving a priceless gift to local mothers and children—a little hope for the future.

Hannah’s Harbor is located at 8664 Lakeshore Blvd. in Mentor. Store hours are Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For current donation guidelines or more information, call 440-221-5361 or visit HannahsHarbor.org.

Hannah’s Harbor is a thrift store open to the public. It’s filled with treasures waiting to be discovered. From clothing and accessories to home décor, kitchenware, toys, baby items and seasonal finds, you never know what hidden gems you might uncover.

The Speakeasy Pub at Lake County History Center is a charming underground hideaway celebrating vintage ambiance and throwback vibes.

Mason Social

You couldn’t ask for a better tagline than “Smile, eat, drink, talk and be happy.” And that’s exactly the experience waiting for you at Mason Social, which opened this spring in Mentor.

With scratch-made comfort food, smoked meats, elevated smash burgers and plenty of entertainment, this lively tavern offers something for everyone.

“We wanted to create an eclectic atmosphere where families can bring their kids, couples can enjoy date night or friends can gather to watch a game,” says General Manager Adam Miller.

The kitchen takes its food seriously. All meats are smoked in-house daily, chicken is freshly brined and burger patties are prepared from scratch.

Favorites include the sweet-and-spicy Nashville Chicken Sandwich; Loaded Tater Tots topped with queso, smoked pork shoulder, barbecue sauce and coleslaw; and the one-pound Mason Dog, a hearty kielbasa served Cleveland-style with mustard, sauerkraut and chili.

Weekly specials include 50-cent wings Mondays, $5 cheeseburgers Tuesdays, three tacos for $10 Wednesdays and a complimentary cocktail and martini specials for the ladies on Thursdays.

Signature cocktails, served in (what else?) mason jars, include the Donkey Kick (vodka, lime, ancho chili and ginger beer) as well as larger, shareable drinks such as the Fish Bowl or Hair of the Dog.

Mason Social is a sports fan’s paradise, particularly on Browns Sundays. With NFL Sunday Ticket, guests can catch every NFL game while enjoying game-day food and drink specials.

Beyond the never-ending flatscreens, entertainment for kids of all ages includes Mini Bowling, Golden Tee, Hot Shot basketball and the Claw Crane. The stylish surroundings feature tufted leather seating in cigar-brown and turquoise and barrel tables.

Mimi Reader Deal: Mention you read this story and enjoy a free appetizer with any entrée. Offer good through Thursday, December 31, 2026

Mason Social is located at 7289 Mentor Avenue in Mentor. Call 440-368-9828 or go to MasonSocialMentor.com for more information.

Signature cocktails, served in (what else?) mason jars, include the Donkey Kick (vodka, lime, ancho chili and ginger beer) as well as larger, shareable drinks such as the Fish Bowl or Hair of the Dog.

Next to Me Intimate Apparel and More

For nearly four decades, Mary Wood has been helping women look and feel their best through expert bra fittings, specialized garments and an extraordinary attention to detail.

At her Mentor boutique—Next to Me Intimate Apparel and More—Mary is among a dwindling number of professionals who have mastered the intricate art of fitting women at every age, shape and stage of life. She’s worked at legendary department stores, including Halle’s in downtown Cleveland and Marshall Field’s.

The motto, “Where fitting is an art” reflects her niche. Whether a customer needs an everyday bra, a strapless style for a special occasion, maternity support or post-mastectomy garments and breast forms, Mary understands proper fit can make all the difference.

The shop carries specialty sizes ranging from 32 to 52, with cup sizes extending from DD to L. Its selection also includes bustiers, body shapers, lingerie, resort wear and stylish accessories.

Once women visit Mary’s shop, they tend to return again and again. Her reviews are overwhelmingly five-star.

Just ask Kathy W., who says, “What a godsend. During my initial consultation, Mary selected a few bras and found one that was very comfortable but needed an adjustment. Mary made the alteration and the bra fit perfectly, no gaps, no rising up the back…I will be a customer for life.”

You could be one consultation away from enjoying holiday parties in the ultimate comfort while looking your absolute best.

Small Business Saturday Celebration Enjoy a holiday spectacular at Mentor Corners shopping plaza, 8920 Mentor Avenue, in Mentor, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Saturday, November 28. Santa and friends will be here. Drawings for a chance to win a $50 gift card from each participating business.

Next to Me is located at 8920 Mentor Avenue, #5, in Mentor. Call 440-974-0900 or visit NextToMe.cc for more information.

The shop carries specialty sizes ranging from 32 to 52, with cup sizes extending from DD to L. Its selection also includes bustiers, body shapers, lingerie, resort wear and stylish accessories.

Odd Job Bob Handyman Services

With holiday entertaining and houseguests around the corner, the last thing homeowners need is an overwhelming list of repairs and improvements hanging over their heads.

Odd Job Bob Handyman Services, the Mentor-based company is launching its new FastTrack Program, offering priority scheduling and same-day or next-day availability for qualifying projects, backed by the professional craftsmanship and reliability customers know and trust.

“We understand how busy homeowners are right now and they just want to get their homes looking and feeling great before all the parties pop up,” says Operations Manager Sarah O’Dell. “This time of year, most handyman services get backed up and you can’t get anything done before the holidays.”

For founder Bob Peters, the program reflects a larger mission: raising the bar for professionalism, craftsmanship and customer service in the local handyman industry.

After a successful career in corporate America as a senior-level retail manager, Bob returned in 2019 to his lifelong passion for fixing things.

“I grew up learning how to work with my hands from my dad and stepdad,” he says. “Helping people is much more fulfilling than my previous career. Our philosophy is to put people first.”

Today, Odd Job Bob handles everything from residential to commercial including repairs,maintenance and improvements. They have been investing in building its team, strengthening operations, and expanding services.

“We match each job with a craftsman who has the right skill set,” says Bob. “We’re in the relationships business. We build trust, communicate clearly and make the process as stress-free as possible.”

Repair, Maintain and Improve with services in Lake County, Eastern Cuyahoga and Northern Geauga. Headquartered at 7561 Tyler Boulevard, Unit 3, in Mentor. Call 440-231-3848 or visit OddJobBob.com for more information.

Odd Job Bob handles everything from residential to commercial including repairs,maintenance and improvements. They have been investing in building its team, strengthening operations, and expanding services.

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