Lakewood Lore

Realtor responsible for selling city on the idea of a home show

The annual Lakewood Home Show, born 30 years ago, was the idea of F. Ross Ellis, veteran area Realtor who currently operates a home appraisal service in Rocky River.

Ellis, now 87, remembers well how it all began.

“While serving on the board of Lakewood’s Chamber of Commerce in 1964, I made the suggestion to the other directors,” he recalled. “They said, ‘Fine, good idea -- you be the chairman.’”

And so he was -- not only for the initial show, held in April 1965, but also for the second one.

What spawned the idea in the mind of Realtor Ellis were Lakewood’s promotional efforts in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s to get its homeowners to keep up their properties.

“Mayor Frank Celeste believed that, if you took care of your home, it would take care of you,” Ellis said.

“Under an ‘Operation Lakewood’ program, Celeste awarded certificates of praise to those who fixed up their residences. When Celeste's successor, Mayor Robert Lawther, took over, he, too, liked the concept. His program was called ‘Project Pride.’”

What with all the emphasis on residential upgrading, Ellis felt that our community’s businesses also should have an opportunity to participate.

“I thought that the local merchants, together with our dealers and distributors in the home improvement field, should be provided a showcase for their products and services,” he said.

The first show was held in the basement of the Lakewood Masonic Temple on Detroit at Andrews. It had only a modest number of lookers, having been publicized by student-made posters and not much else, according to Ellis.

However, as it turned out, the “lookers became buyers,” he said. So, later, when original exhibitors were asked if they wanted a second show, they answered with a resounding affirmative.

The repeat performance took place in late January 1967. This time, it used two entire floors of the Masonic Temple and solidified a format identifying the event as the local, annual, three-day, midwinter tableau, which was a must for all improvement-conscious homeowners to see.

Also, the show was to be free. This it has remained, except for a couple of years when a 50-cent charge was assessed at the door mostly to facilitate the counting of visitors. The admission fee was soon dropped, however, when it was found to be affecting attendance.

The second show combined merchant displays, general educational exhibits, movies and panel discussions. All these continue today, state-of-the-art updated and with the addition of various lecture series.

The shows during the first decade following inception brought new successes. They had grown to become one of northeastern Ohio’s top winter attractions, drawing crowds of 10,000 to 12,000 visitors.

By late 1974, the last of 50 display areas available for 1975’s 10th anniversary show was reserved a month in advance, as dealers and contractors eagerly looked forward to participating.

“Indeed, the response was so great that eight potential exhibitors had to be turned away for lack of booth space,” said Larry E. Faulhaber, space rental co-chairman at the time.

The 10th show was heralded as offering perfect one-stop comparison shopping for those homeowners thinking about remodeling. Furthermore, it was seen as a great opportunity to talk over plans with suppliers and to see their products first hand.

Theme for the show was “Be Wise . . . Modernize.” Jack McLaughlin, appliance utilization supervisor at East Ohio Gas Co., served as general chairman. Live entertainment was added in the form of strolling musician Tony Cristino, banjoist and singer who had entertained U.S. troops during his World War II Army days.

In 1985, the 20th anniversary show, with its theme, “Make Your Home Come Alive in ‘85,” attracted thousands of spectators who trekked in from miles around, despite heavy snow. It was held in quarters provided at Lakewood YM-YWCA.

There, one exhibitor reported he had taken part in the big Cleveland Home Modernization Expo downtown the year before, but got more sales possibilities and serious customers by spending only three days at Lakewood’s 20th show.

Ors and Joanne Banhidy were co-chairmen. Joseph Nagy and William Victory chaired the door prize committee. James Barbero and Donald Jakeway were City Hall coordinators. Also helping to make the event a standout were dozens of other Lakewood Chamber members.

Primary sponsor of the show since the beginning has been the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, according to Ellen Steinberg, chamber administrative assistant.

The Lakewood Sun Post teamed up as co-sponsor for the second show and, together with its westerly affiliate newspapers, has continued in that role through the years. Another area weekly, Westlife, was co-sponsor in ‘91 and ‘92.

Additional, more recent co-sponsors include Lucien & Associates Inc., representing Century 21, WDOK-FM radio and Landfall Travel. These now have been joined this year by City Press, which is printing the programs and fliers.

Originally, the official name of the event was the Home Improvement Show and Clinic. This year, it is called the Lakewood Home Show and More.

A switch in location from the Masonic Temple to the Lakewood Y was made in the early ‘70s. Next, the site was moved to Lakewood’s Beck Center and adjacent Armory.

This month’s 30th anniversary show -- Friday through Sunday -- will be the third in a row to be held at Lakewood High School. Registrations to date total 65 hime improvement booths, 39 displays in a "Promenade for Lakewood Businesses" area, 13 tables for non-profit organizations, and 14 craft exhibits.

As in the past the 1995 show will be a combined effort. However, much of the responsibility for its success will be borne by Judy Price, show chairperson, as well as two Lakewood Chamber officers -- president Richard L. (Rick) Parker and executive director Karen Corcoran.

This article by Dan Chabek appeared in the Lakewood Sun Post January 19, 1995. Reprinted with permission.

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