Historic Canton Club re-opens as an event center
When you step off the elevator and into the Canton Club, recently reopened in November as an event center, you can almost feel the memories swirl and settle around you. From the intricate woodwork and ornate chandeliers, all original to the 1907 Club (in its current location since 1923), one wonders how many feet waltzed across those marble floors.
“People come here to reminisce. I had a woman up here on her phone, and she was describing every minute detail, almost in tears, as she shared the return experience with her friend,” said Chuck Schuster, managing partner for the Canton Club Event Center.
Schuster took over management of the once members-only club in November, and threw his first event, a retirement party, on Nov. 30. Six events followed in December, and he had several events on the books for January and February, despite those months being slow industry-wide. Weddings this summer and beyond are filling up fast.
How has the reopened event center overcome previous problems? Now under Schuster’s control, the Canton Club permits customers to bring in any professional caterer they wish, so long as the caterer meets some basic requirements. So far, Iris Restaurant, Sanese Services, Peter Shears, Chef Mark D’Antonio of Acme Foods, Primos, Fedeli Restaurant, Dishes by Design and several other proprietors have all been added to the preferred vendors list and they’ve booked their own events at the Canton Club. Schuster wants his customers to feel like they have complete choice when it comes to their event, but that his operation truly provides an “above and beyond” full-service experience, as evidenced by a recent bridal show in late February, featuring floral, limo, gown and photography vendors, in addition to caterers.
“The Canton Club as an event center has two problems to overcome – the first is location. It’s difficult to describe where we’re located, so we’ve installed a canopy at the Tuscarawas Street entrance,” said Schuster. “The second problem is more difficult to overcome – we have a high-cost perception. The truth is that we’re very affordable. Right now our rental price ranges from only $175 to $975, depending on your needs.”
A Canton native, Schuster has worked in Canton his entire life, and was previously executive chef at The Rib Cage. He also worked for the Stark County Family Court for 32 years. After many years in the kitchen, he wants to explore the other side of the business so managing the Canton Club is the perfect place for him.
“I’m an ‘urban kid,’ I have fond childhood memories of coming downtown. The perceptions about Canton are changing – I had to drive around and around, looking for a parking space at First Friday. It’s incredible!” said Schuster.
No question, Schuster is definitely at home at the top of Stark County’s tallest building. And he’s not alone – his second-in-command, and a guaranteed guest at all of the events, is a peregrine falcon named Priscilla. Priscilla joined the Canton Club in 1999 and resides on the 14th floor in a nesting house by the kitchen.
If you’re interested in checking out the Canton Club for your event, you can stop up for a spectacular view of the crowds on an upcoming First Friday, when the Club hosts open houses with live music, cocktails and appetizers, and dinners by Peter Shears and other area venues. A full list of upcoming special events is available online.
But the big question on everyone’s mind – will they bring back the Canton Club’s signature sticky buns?
“Great news on that front! We found the woman who made the sticky buns in the 1970s and we’re bringing them back – they’ll be on the menu for special events and for carryout!” said Schuster.
Visit www.cantonclubevents.com or call Schuster at (330) 454-2582 to discuss hosting your next event, large or small, at the Canton Club.
