Menu of Buckets restaurant in Akron, Ohio, featuring modern communal seating and the LeBron James Family Foundation branding.
THE FEED

More Than a Menu: Inside LeBron James’ New ‘Buckets’ Restaurant

  • Status: Grand Opening
  • Opening Date: April 1, 2026
  • Location: House Three Thirty | 532 W. Market Street, Akron, OH
  • Subject: Filling the Bucket: LeBron James Opens ‘Buckets’ in Akron

NBA superstar LeBron James has officially expanded his hometown footprint with the opening of Buckets, a new comfort-food concept located within the House Three Thirty community hub. Unlike his previous massive commercial investments (like Blaze Pizza or Fenway Sports Group), Buckets is a localized, mission-driven play designed to act as a gathering point for the Akron community.

Here’s what you need to know.

RELATED: The Kid from Akron: Inside LeBron James’s Home Court Museum

The Concept: ‘Filling Buckets’

The name by itself isn’t just a basketball reference. It’s a nod to the LeBron James Family Foundation’s philosophy of “filling buckets”—the idea of empowering individuals and families through community support.

  • The Atmosphere: The space is designed for “dwell time.” Instead of the fast-casual “in-and-out” model, Buckets features a welcoming, open-layout interior intended for engagement and conversation.
  • The Mission: The restaurant provides job training and mentorship opportunities for students and parents from the I PROMISE School, turning the kitchen into a classroom for the local workforce.

The Menu Specs: Akron Comfort

The menu leans heavily into elevated comfort foods, designed to be accessible and family-oriented.

  • The Signature: The “Best Bucket of Chicken in Akron”—a nod to the restaurant’s name and its commitment to classic, high-quality staples.
  • The Operating Hours: * Wednesday–Thursday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
    • Friday–Saturday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
    • Sunday–Tuesday: Closed (Community/Foundation events only)

The Marketing Strategy: The ‘House Three Thirty’ Ecosystem

Buckets doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It is the “Anchor Tenant” of House Three Thirty, a multi-use facility that also houses:

  • Secret Pizza: A high-end artisanal pizzeria.
  • LeBron James’ Home Court: A museum dedicated to his life and career.
  • Retail & Sweet Shops: Supporting local entrepreneurs.

By placing Buckets in this ecosystem, LeBron has created a closed-loop economy where tourism (Home Court visitors) feeds the community (Buckets diners), which in turn funds the foundation.

You can check it out now.

Featured Photo: Courtesy of Buckets

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Author Bio

Jael Rucker is the founder of Decked Out Magazine. She has previously worked as the Associate Commerce Editor at PureWow, focusing on analytics and trends to pitch stories and optimize articles that build and engage their audience. Her work has also been seen in Footwear News and WWD. Prior to 2024, she was the style and pop culture editor at ONE37pm for over three years, contributing numerous product reviews, brand profiles and fashion trend reports, which included interviewing Steph Curry, Snoop Dogg and more.

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