Mom & daughters to open Heather's Place at former Athens Restaurant

CANTON – A mother and her three daughters are ready to launch their new eatery inside the former Athens Restaurant. Heather's Place will celebrate its grand opening Sept. 9 at 816 Harrison Ave. SW. The breakfast and lunch diner will offer an Americana menu featuring signature dishes and homestyle meals. It is co-owned by Heather Howell and her three daughters, Brittaney Stiver, Rachell Vorhies and Emily Howell. Many of the restaurant's signature dishes are rooted in family memories. Mom's Deluxe Waffles, for example, features mashed potatoes and gravy served over a waffle. Vorhies remembers eating waffles on Christmas mornings and watching her mother, Heather Howell, add mashed potatoes to hers. Although Vorhies was reluctant to try the combination at first, she eventually gave it a chance. 'It's 10 times better than I would have ever imagined,' Vorhies said. Heather Howell grew up in Canton and graduated from Timken High School before settling in Chicago. When her father became terminally ill more than a decade ago, she moved her family back to Canton. After her husband and father died, Heather Howell began waiting tables at a Canton restaurant. She eventually became its manager, a position she held for 11 years before health issues forced her to step away. Heather's Place to open: Former Athens Restaurant in Canton sells at auction. Who bought it? Stiver later learned through Canton For All People that the former Athens Restaurant building was available for lease. After discussing the opportunity as a family and recognizing that 'we are good at hospitality,' Heather Howell submitted a proposal that was accepted. Along with homestyle meals, customers will find a small legacy menu featuring Greek dishes that honor the restaurant's former owners. The family also plans to support the community through efforts such as adopting a family for Christmas and collecting hats and gloves for Canton City Schools students. Bev Shaffer, Food & Drink reporter for The Canton Repository, can be reached at bshaffer@usatodayco.com or 330-580-8318. If you go – What: Heather's Place Where: 816 Harrison Ave. NW, Canton When: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday Phone: 234-214-0591