By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
A local man is ready write the next chapter in the history of the Clazel.
Alex Kuhman recently completed the purchase of the Clazel’s business operations.
“I have a deep passion for the arts, and I love old buildings as well,” Kuhman said, “The Clazel has a really wonderful history. I’m really excited to add to that. I think there are a lot of blank pages left and I’m excited to write them.”
It’s a passion he shares with Ammar Mufleh, who retains ownership of the building in the heart of downtown Bowling Green. Mufleh purchased the Clazel in 2008. That was eight years after a group of community investors took over the historic venue over from Great Eastern Theatres. That group eventually sold the building, which changed hands a couple times before Mufleh purchased it.
The venue was opened in 1926 by Clark and Hazel Young as a movie theater. The combined their names to create the name of the theater.
The Clazel, Mufleh said, means a lot to him. He has invested “time and treasure” into renovating it into a club, concert venue, and events space.
More than anything, he said, he saw it as a space that was open for community events and celebrations. That included everything from music lovers packed in to see indie rock star Neko Case to local curling enthusiasts watching the Olympics at the bar. People celebrated Barack Obama’s first inauguration in the hall and many couples started their married life with receptions there.
Mufleh said he was excited by the prospect of having someone take over who understands the theater’s impact on the community.
Kuhman is determined to continue that mission.
“My vision for it is to really have it be a place that continues to add to the community,” he said.
Kuhman is working with a team of associates including family members. “It’s been very humbling to me just how many people have been so willing and so generous with their time to help me make it happen.”
He is planning to host a benefit for Humane Ohio sometime in spring. “I couldn’t think of a better way to come back into the community than by doing my best to help out,” Kuhman said.
Given COVID-19, the date still needs to be determined. “It’s a little fluid with getting everything re-permitted,” he said.
“First thing, we did we had the tables up with measuring tapes and marking everything out making sure we could have a spot that would be safe for our employees and patrons.”
He and his team are engaged in cleaning to get “everything to the way it was. … We’re upgrading a few things as well.”
Kuhman first moved to Bowling Green in 2010 to study engineering at Bowling Green State University. He remembers the Clazel’s days as a club. He went a few times as his schedule allowed. The dim lighting didn’t let him appreciate the appeal of the inside.
Now that he’s inside, he knows what he has to work with.
Kuhman said his focus will be getting the venue back into the business of hosting events, weddings, benefits and the like. He’d also like to renew the venue’s relationship with the BGSU College of Musical Arts. The college presented concerts by visiting ensembles, faculty, and students at the Clazel back when Mufleh was running the business.
“I have a deep appreciation for the arts. I think it’s a great space to bring in and showcase people’s talents,” Kuhman said.
He also would like to showcase local beer and wine.
Beyond that Kuhman would like to bring in top bands for concerts.
The appeal of the former movie house is connected to Kuhman’s love of Bowling Green. After starting studying at BGSU, Kuhman, who grew up in Monclova, left for a time and lived in Texas. When he returned to the area, he enrolled in the University of Toledo to finish his engineering degree while working at Dana Incorporated. He wanted to live in Bowling Green and purchased a 130-year-old house on South Main Street.
Looking ahead to when the pandemic is in the rearview mirror, he said, “I envision, a year out, a place that’s going to be full of weddings, and hopefully bigger name concerts to really bring more life to the place. That’s what I really want to do, create a place you going to want to come and create a lasting memory. Someplace you’ll really cherish and think fondly of for a long time.”
