Every event deserves an Encore
The daring new vision of Encore Event Center (formerly Michaud’s) is to become Northeast Ohio’s destination for events. Here’s how co-owner Khadar Soussou is making it happen.
The freshly anointed Encore Event Center (formerly Michaud’s) is positioned to become Northeast Ohio’s premier wedding and banquet destination. (Photography: Francis Angelone)
Like Michaelangelo to the Sistine Chapel, Steve Jobs with personal computers, Walt Disney coming up with that adorable mouse, or Thomas Edison and his bright idea, when Khadar Soussou purchased the former Michaud’s Event Center in Strongsville last year, he had a vision.
“My partners and I grew up in Strongsville and felt a real connection to it,” says co-founder Khadar, who is opening the new venue in partnership with Cleveland entrepreneur Tony G. Di Fiore and the Rababy family of United Concessions Group, all of whom have deep connections to the city. “The family did such a phenomenal job of running it for so many years. We always said if the time was right, we’d love to be the successors.”
After a year of construction, taking the 80,000-square-foot facility down to the studs and reviving and reimagining it inside and out, this month he’s opening the Encore Event Center.
“The name is a nod to honoring Michaud’s roots while breathing new life to the center,” he says.
Khadar and his partners have earned a reputation in Cleveland for being redefiners. Their modus operandi is to retool former establishments and make them amazing again. In 2021, they purchased the shuttered 100th Bomb Group and turned it into one of the West Side’s hottest restaurants and venues, The Aviator. Then in 2023, they purchased the former Carrie Cerino’s in North Royalton and transformed it into the popular Via Roma Event Center and Ristorante.
“Encore has eight event spaces to fit any occasion, from a meeting of 20 people to a wedding with 1,000 guests,” says Khadar.
Each with its own personality and decor, and names that pay homage to the hometown, the distinctive spaces include the Pearl Room, the Starlight, Laurel Room, Serenade Hall, Bravo Room, Mustang Room, Jubilee Room and the Grand Ballroom. The smallest room, the Starlight, is a multilevel space with dramatic dark woods for up to 100 guests, and the Bravo Room is elegantly adorned in cream and white with opulent gold accents, crystal chandeliers cascading from the ceiling, and mirrored walls for up to 250 guests.
The venue also features an 800-vehicle parking lot, with plenty of space for event guests to park their rides.
Dream Wedding Site
Much like they orchestrate weddings at The Aviator and Via Roma, Khadar says his team will provide the same one-stop shop wedding services that busy couples appreciate at Encore.
“We have lots of experience with customizing weddings to the bride and groom’s signature style and personality,” he says. “We take care of everything from photography to flowers, bakery, lighting, photo booth, linens to suit any color palette and the totally customized wedding menu. Pretty much all they need to worry about is the dress and showing up.”
Encore has teamed up with local caterers who specialize in ethnic cuisine to offer a vibrant array of global flavors.
“We’re thrilled to introduce our guests to Indian and Middle Eastern dishes for a rich and authentic cultural experience,” Khadar says.
The 12,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom has its own private entrance, layers of lighting, dance floor lighting, two stages, a private bar, chic new furniture, and state-of-the-art audio visuals that make it every bride’s dream. It’s also the perfect place for galas and corporate gatherings and fundraisers. Seniors from Brunswick High School were amongst the first to experience the energetic space at their senior prom last month.
“We do our best to live up to our tagline, “where every event deserves an encore,’” he says.
Nothing Like it in the NEO
In addition to the eight venues, plenty of star power shines on Encore’s 1-acre courtyard, which, like the rest of the facility, was taken down to the studs, well, rather, dirt.
“We have five firepits, a putt-putt golf hole, a food truck zone where several trucks can serve and—ideal for outdoor weddings—a large natural wood pavilion in the center that can hold up to 400 people,” he says. “We built five separate patios that are adjacent to the event spaces. The different styles of fountains are unique. We modeled one on the jumping water fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.”
Since every inch of the green space is covered in artificial turf, guests don’t have to worry about getting muddy. Any rain drains quickly away.
Khadar is a great appreciator of esthetics and has pulled out all the stops with the landscaped grounds and slate stone patios, hemmed in by horizontally laid natural wood fencing. For a dramatic effect, he chose border bricks that have glow-in-the-dark chips in them that come to life at night.
Encore Event Center is located at 16808 Pearl Road in Strongsville. Call
440-238-7078 or visit
EncoreCLE.com for more information or to book a tour.
Open to the Public!
Not just for private parties, proms and weddings, the newly opened Encore Event Center will throw its own parties for anyone in the community to attend.
President and co-owner Khadar Soussou says to stay tuned for an announcement of the summer entertainment lineup at the outdoor courtyard. The plan is to host concerts, steak nights and wine nights. The restaurant group’s own food truck, Flight Bites, will be on hand, along with other local mobile eateries.
He also notes that Michaud’s was famous for its annual New Year’s Eve parties and to expect him to carry on the tradition by throwing the biggest celebration of the year on December 31.
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