By Amy Richards
Creating a memorable b’nai mitzvah or wedding begins with picking the perfect venue to meet your needs. Celebrations spoke with leaders of a few local venues who offer unique and exciting elements to any celebration. The first, in University Circle, began as a Gothic mansion. The second, near downtown Willoughby, was originally a country estate. The third, in Madison, is a working farm on a vast property that once served as a popular Boy Scout camp. Having your simcha at any of these distinctive settings would make for a special occasion that you and your guests will never forget.
Glidden House
Glidden House is located in the heart of University Circle in a 1910 French Gothic style mansion built by the Glidden Paint family. Many of the original features of the mansion home have been maintained, including the parlor and the library, and Glidden House is included on the National Register of Historic Places.
It has a large indoor space for both ceremonies and receptions and lovely outdoor gardens featuring a gazebo to use as a romantic backdrop for outdoor ceremonies. General Manager Tom Farinacci says, “The indoor space, the Juniper Room, has operational windows on three sides, bringing the outdoors, indoors. The room is neutral, allowing for any color theme to look beautiful.”
Glidden House can accommodate 150 guests, and has 52 guestrooms and eight suites for out-of-town attendees, or those that just don’t want to drive home. Guests that stay over could spend some time visiting the world-renowned gems of University Circle, including wonderful museums, parks and restaurants. Although the hotel has been open since 1989, the current event space was built in 2016.
Farinacci says that “our sales team is experienced in all aspects of an array of event types and will take the client from initial contact to the day of the function. We also have on-site coordinators to make sure each event goes off perfectly.”
Glidden House will provide a list of approved outside caterers with varying price points.
Farinacci adds, “Each caterer is well-versed in creating a custom menu for each event.”
In addition, there are kosher options available.
Willoughby House
Willoughby House is located three blocks from the center of downtown Willoughby on 4.3 exquisitely landscaped acres. It is the result of a two-year-long restoration and renovation of the 20,000-square-foot sandstone country estate built in the Neo-Gothic style in 1902 by the Van Gorder family.
Co-owner Mike Neundorfer says, “Our historic venue is elegant, warm and intimate. It offers an Inn (opened in May 2023) with 10 beautifully appointed suites, an upscale restaurant, called Julia’s 1902 (opened in April 2024), including a beautiful bar, and a lovely, flexible event space.”
According to Neundorfer, “Each of our 10 guest suites is unique, and decorated tastefully and comfortably, with all modern amenities.” The first-floor facility can host up to 130 guests. By including the second-floor event room, which can accommodate 40 guests, the total number can include 170 guests.” Neundorfer emphasizes that their event spaces “feel like rooms in a fine home,” but include “the latest technology for entertainment.”
He adds, “Our guests rave about the comfortable but elegant historic décor and the fine cuisine prepared by Chef Jose Coronado, formerly of Felice Urban Café and co-owner of Julia’s 1902.”
According to Neundorfer, “Our delicious food is prepared with fresh, local ingredients and although we don’t have a kosher kitchen, we can meet a wide range of dietary requirements, including vegan, vegetarian, and non-dairy requests.”
In addition, Neundorfer states that “the event planning and support team, including our event manager, Chef Jose, and bar staff, seek to understand each host’s objectives and then plan for and execute the event with extraordinary skill and hospitality.”
Standing Rock Farms
Located in Ohio’s Grand River Valley, Standing Rock Farms was established in 1930 as Camp Stigwandish by the Boy Scouts of America. Operations Manager Laura Toprani explains that “in 2020, the owners acquired the 352-acre property, transforming it into a vibrant farm featuring organic flower fields, vegetable and herb gardens, and thriving honeybee populations. Home to Scottish Highland cattle and a flourishing floriculture program, Standing Rock Farms offers two unique wedding venues, the Flower Farm and the Barrel Room.”
The Flower Farm, originally a commercial flower drying facility, offers 12,000 square feet of versatile space featuring unique reclaimed corral fence wood accent walls and tables crafted from wood harvested on-site. Large glass doors connect indoor and outdoor spaces, “allowing nature’s beauty to flow into the event.” It can accommodate 350 guests. There is a private bridal suite, a full catering kitchen, a 40-foot bar, views of the indoor wildflower grow room and a covered patio with multiple outdoor fire tables.
According to Toprani, it “is a perfect mix of countryside elegance and contemporary sophistication.” The Flower Farm also includes a “rustic yet elegant” barn with floor-to-ceiling windows that might be the perfect place to hold your ceremony. The barn is equipped with modern lighting, live-edge bench seating, Wi-Fi and Sonos systems, and is temperature controlled. The farm’s Carriage House includes a honeymoon suite.
If you are looking for something more rustic, their Barrel Room venue features an open bowstring truss roof, an intimate 4,000-square-foot layout, and “a cozy yet refined setting” where 100 guests can be accommodated. Large glass doors open to a 1,600 square foot patio with beautiful nature views. It includes a caterer’s kitchen, full-service bar, Wi-Fi and indoor/outdoor speakers, and a bridal suite equipped with styling stations and a groom’s suite with a full bar, games, and a 70-inch TV. Standing Rock Farms collaborates with a diverse range of caterers, offering a wide array of dining options, including buffet, family-style, or plated meals, and partners with Preferred Kosher Catering to offer kosher dining options.