It’s rare that an event takes place at German’s Villa, 3330 Liberty Ave. in Vermilion, without owner Cliff German knowing exactly what will happen.
“Thrilla in the Villa” at the Event Center on August 10 was one of those rare occasions.
Stand-up comedian Jason Lawhead performed at German’s Villa’s 40th anniversary event.
In recent years, Lawhead, a Lorain native and graduate of Lorain Catholic High School, has gained national exposure for his performance and headlined the August 10 event with a German Roast.
“It was a shock, that’s for sure,” said German. “We had about 300 people.”
“(Lawhead) called me and said we’ve been in the business for 40 years and he teased me a little bit. We really had a lot of fun doing it.”
German acknowledged that 40 years is a long time for any business to stay open.
Especially given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the events industry, the continued operation of German’s Villa is simply incredible, he said.
“We lost every event, not one for a year,” German said. “We had parties planned, but they were all canceled, or they tried to host them (and failed).”
“When COVID came along, we had a party for 200 people and six people came.”
German also credited the event center with being able to stay open throughout the pandemic because of pickup orders.
When virus restrictions were lifted in 2021, the company was delivering over 200 meals a day for pickup, he said.
“You sit back and think, ‘Okay, what can we do? What are people looking for?'” German said. “I came up with the idea of selling meals right to the door.”
“We offer three or four different menus every day. You can place your order by phone.”
Thanks to pickup orders and keeping key staff employed, German’s Villa has largely been able to survive well following the pandemic that brought much of the industry to a standstill, German said.
The event center’s close-knit core staff is the heart of the company, he said.
German said he hopes the company will continue to grow even more after 40 years.
“At 75 years old … I still have a lot of fun with it,” he said. “I still love it. I still enjoy the people and it gives me a good reason to get up in the morning.”
“I like to get up. I have wonderful people. Three ladies have worked with me and have done so for 40 years.”
