My name is Simon Varner. I am a chef and writer with a passion for local food. Every month, I’ll take a look inside the kitchens that keep Portage County fed and speak with the people behind the swinging doors. Today, I am highlighting Sonny & Olive’s, the new Italian-American spot opened by Mike Beder in Kent’s South End in March of 2026.
Beder is heavily involved in Kent’s local scene, operating businesses including Water Street Tavern, Venice Cafe and The Lake House Kitchen and Bar, among others. I was very excited to see what he was cooking, as well as dig a bit deeper into the historic building at the center of the venture. Locals will remember the space as the former home of The Battleground, which specialized in traditional Mexican food. When they closed, eaters were eager to know what would take its place. This new concept clicked.
Sonny & Olive’s feels right at home tucked in Kent’s South End and, considering its roots, that makes a lot of sense. The historic district was home to European immigrants who came to work on the local railroads. Roger Di Paolo wrote an excellent article with The Portager about the South End’s history, in which he mentions how it would not have been uncommon to hear Italian spoken throughout…