Medina Creative Housing hosts grand re-opening of Z's in Hinckley

HINCKLEY TWP. — Larry and Mary Ann Zirker, founders of Z's Cream & Bean homemade ice cream parlor on Boston Road, watched and studied Medina Creative Housing closely for more than three years. During that time, the Zirkers grew to admire the nonprofit, which provides housing, vocational training, services and support for those with disabilities so they can live as independently as possible. The Zirkers were so impressed that when it came time to leave the business they had launched 13 years ago, they decided to donate Z's to Medina Creative Housing. They wanted nothing in return. "What an incredible blessing. What an incredible act of benevolence for our organization," said Diane DePasquale-Hagerty, CEO of Medina Creative Housing. DePasquale-Hagerty was speaking Wednesday during a grand reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at Z's, which has been renamed Z's Cream & Bean Creatively Made & Operated. The business is at 2706 Boston Road, near the corner of West 130th Street. Also speaking at the ceremony were Ed Stevens, vice president of the Medina Creative Housing Board of Trustees; Ohio Rep. Sharon Ray, R-66; Jack Swedyk and Monique Ascherl, chair and vice chair, respectively, of the Hinckley Township Broad of Trustees; and Medina County Commissioner Colleen Swedyk. Stevens said it's difficult for special-needs people to find employment and job training. Medina Creative Housing has done so over the years through outreaches like Medina Creative Produce, Medina Creative Property Maintenance and the Grand Café & Roastery. "We can't do it without the support of our community and the support of people who can make a difference, like the Zirkers," Stevens said. Ascherl said she couldn't think of a better business to establish a presence in Hinckley than Medina Creative Housing. "I really think that this is a great fit," Ascherl said. The Zirkers did not attend the ribbon cutting/grand opening due to their age and health issues. "They have made it known from the very beginning of our relationship that they were not looking for publicity," DePasquale-Hagerty said. "This was an act of kindness." According to the Z's Cream & Bean website, the ice cream parlor has been making fresh, homemade, hand-churned ice cream with locally harvested ingredients since it opened in 2010. "We are committed to maintain the high standards that the Zirkers have established and customers expect," DePasquale-Hagerty told the Medina Gazette prior to Wednesday's ceremony. Now, Z's will also provide jobs for those with disabilities. "As a vocational training and employment site for individuals with disabilities, our store provides the next steppingstone for individuals with disabilities into community employment with supports, job coaching and individual goal-setting," the Z's website says. Medina Creative Housing actually took over the Z's operation in March. "We have been under the tutelage of the (Zirker) family for the past five months, learning the intricacies of ice cream making," DePasquale-Hagerty said. Contact Bob Sandrick at areanews@medina-gazette.com.