PAGE 10

CLUB

AUGUST 1982

VALEN

A STEP

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In downtown Canton is an old building that originally housed a livery stable. Later, due to urban redevelopment, a black night club named the Baby Grand moved there. The Baby Grand held live shows and the building has seen the likes of such notable performers as Aretha Franklin and Redd Foxx. Upon the death of the original owner the building was converted to a methadone clinic. In early October of 1981 space was rented and renovation, financially backed by a well-known gambler, was begun. By an unfortunate turn of events, the gambler lost the monies necessary to complete the project.

In the meantime, Chuck Woodford and Tom Gallion were looking for a place to open a new bar after they had closed their gay restaurant called The Dining Car. They had originally planned to enter a prestigious new building in the Lake Cable or Belden Village areas. But local church resistance fought vehemently against a liquor license for a gay establishment. This problem coupled with a chance to acquire the gambler's abandoned lounge renovations allowed them to occupy the old livery stable at 300 Walnut Street.

"We've spent four years planning and look-

LEFT: Doorman Tiny stands with owner Chuck Woodford.

ing at all types of gay clubs around the country and abroad," stated Woodford. "We've combined ideas from a lot of places; London, Florida, Hollywood, to create the kind of atmosphere that would be attractive to our clientele."

Tom Gallion added, "We're trying to create a 20's atmosphere, something very art deco. That's why we call it Valentino's, after Rudolph Valentino. We were trying to find a name associated with the times as well as the gay public. I read in a book somewhere that Valentino was loved by both men and women so I thought it would be appropriate."

The club opened in May and is an interesting contrast of black and white decor. The staff is attired in crisp white tuxedo shirts with sharp black bow ties as they serve the patrons around a sunken bar. A spacious dance floor with mirrored ceilings, a DJ booth decorated with neon lights occupy a complete end of the building. A sitting area with couches and a small games area all make Valentino's one of the most interesting bars in the Akron-Canton

area.

The bar is staffed mostly by friends of Woodford and Gallion. The bar manager is Scotty, the former owner of The Old Horseshoe Club.

Lighted D.J.'s booth is just one of the effects on the large dance floor.

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VALENTINO'S