Page 29 - Leisure Living Magazine: June 2020 Edition

Visit Lorain To Enjoy
A Unique View Of Local History
By Maggie Kelch, Feature Writer
The City of Lorain, on the shores of Lake Erie half-way between Sandusky and Cleveland, boasts a proud history. Known as the International City, it was the home to giant shipbuilding companies and steel mills, which drew immigrants from around the world.
Today, the city is undergoing a rebirth and becoming a travel destination that capitalizes on its history to provide unique opportunities for visitors to enjoy Lake Erie and the Black River.
Two of the newest businesses that are highlighting the history of the area are the Ariel Hotel on Broadway and The Shipyards Event Center.
The Ariel Hotel is
located in the historic
Broadway Building,
built in 1925. It sits
where the Black River
meets Lake Erie. It
sat empty for more
than a decade until
Radhika Reddy and
her partners in Ariel Ventures, LLC leased the property from the Lorain Port Authority and began renovations.
“People come to Lorain to go to Rockin’ on the River, visit Lakeview Beach, tour the Lorain Lighthouse, attend a performance at the Palace Theater or even take the Jet Express. This gives them a place to stay in the city,” Reddy said.
The Lorain Historical Society donated 80 historic pictures which are hung throughout the four-story building. The hotel also has a number of retail shops and restaurants. Among them are Lolipop’s Gift Shop, Cakes by the Lake and Broadway Boutique operated by Faroh’s Candy, also a historic Lorain company. Restaurants include Game On Lorain, a sports bar and
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Dodie’s Dockside, an Italian restaurant with seafood.
The fourth floor event space and rooftop provide beautiful views for guests attending weddings, reunions and other special events.
The Shipyards Event Center is a unique venue that incorporates the industrial history of the city in a beautiful way. As its name implies, the events center is located in what was formerly the main warehouse of American Shipbuilding Co. Dating back to 1819, shipbuilding was
The fourth floor event space at The Ariel Hotel offers amazing views.
the city of Lorain’s first major industry. Until the 1900s, they produced nearly 1,000 ships, including massive freighters and Navy vessels.
It features exposed brick walls, lofty ceilings and massive windows. The 25,000 square foot facility has many touches that are reminiscent of its shipbuilding roots. “The owners’ vision has done a great job of combining historic aspects with modern touches in the building,” said events manager Jennifer Kopf.
“The door on the west side is a gigantic steel pulley door where trains used to actually come through the building. And, there is a ramp in the center of the building that goes to the second floor,” she added.
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