YOUNGSTOWN - After past worries over downtown Youngstown's reputation and the construction, Penguin City co-owner Aspasia Lyras-Bernacki said she is seeing a shift.

“The energy is kind of changing. I'm in a group with all the Youngstown downtown business owners, and we're talking with the city of Youngstown, like the city administration, YSU. We're all like, kind of having conversations as, 'how can we get people downtown?” said Lyras-Bernacki. 

Lyras-Bernacki said part of the reason for the shift is because of more collaboration downtown. 

“We all really have one goal. We want people to come downtown and experience all that downtown has to offer. So I think all of us are, you know, getting a little more proactive, starting to put events together,” said Lyras-Bernacki

Crowds came into multiple businesses downtown for the Valentine’s Day weekend. 

Ed Moses, the owner of V2 Wine bar said businesses, including his, were busy for Valentine's Day because it fell on a Saturday, and the good weather.

Lyras-Bernacki said it was not just the busiest Valentine's Day she's seen, but also the busiest month since her business opened in downtown.

“Definitely this one was our best month so far, like just since we've been here since 2022. So we have noticed, like, more people coming out downtown, even despite the weather,” said Lyras-Bernacki.

Mark Canzonetta, owner of Casa Di Canzonetta in downtown Youngstown, said he also saw large crowds for the holiday.

He said between the crowds Friday and Saturday, it may have been the biggest Valentine’s Day he’s seen. He also said he is optimistic about this year, especially under the new administration.

“The restaurant and bar owners are committed to having great events to draw people back downtown,” said Canzonetta. “With a united front and the help of the mayor's office, we are going to do it.”

The Federal also brought big crowds downtown with their Love Potion 110 event.

“And that draws crowds. And then we're going to do something. Everything that happens. It's like, you know, a puzzle, and it just, when it comes together, it just brings more people down,” said Lyras-Bernacki. 

Penguin City also had a full bar for their pop up wedding ceremonies Friday, and the Valentine's Day massacre boxing event Saturday, which was sold out.

Downtown businesses are also planning their Saint Patrick's Day bar crawl, which is another holiday event that’s expected to bring people to Youngstown.