Mushroom business sprouts up in old Akron worship space

AI-assisted summary

A new company, Epiphany Mushroom, is growing a dozen varieties of mushrooms in a former Akron church.

The mushrooms are grown in a sterile, lab-like environment inside bags of soy hulls and sawdust.

The company sells about 50 pounds of fresh mushrooms daily to local restaurants, stores, and at its on-site shop.

Unsold mushrooms are repurposed into products like powders, dip mixes, and soups.

Looks can be deceiving.

The former place of worship on South Main Street in Akron looks pretty unassuming from the outside.

But inside there are some pretty cool things growing in the lower level of the building that was once a Jehovah's Witnesses Hall and later a school.

Epiphany Mushroom has taken root in the space.

Founded in 2022 by Erik Vaughn and his wife, Stacey, th