Blab Entertainment
Cla-Zel Theater Celebrates 100-Year Anniversary as Bowling Greens Historic Entertainment Hub
For a century, the Cla‑Zel Theater has been the beating heart of Bowling Green’s downtown, a place where the town’s past and present collide.
Built in 1926 in the Classical Revival style, the 127 N. Main St. venue was designed by Jack Raney and opened on April 21 as a fire‑proof, single‑screen cinema that replaced an earlier open‑air theater. The name “Cla‑Zel” emerged from a contest that merged the first names of owners Clark and Hazel Young, and the original marquee, wood ticket booth, and glass‑paneled lobby doors remain in place as living relics of that era.
For 78 years the Cla‑Zel stood as Ohio’s oldest continuously operating movie house. It first screened silent films with a Marr and Colton pipe organ, then upgraded to a Western Electric sound system in 1930 to bring talkies to local audiences. When it became a non‑profit in 2000, its programming shifted from first‑run releases to classic titles such as The Wizard of Oz and Casablanca.
The theater’s fortunes waned in the early 2000s. On May 7, 2005, the final slate—Popeye, Our Gang, and Roy Rogers—played, followed by a midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show before the venue closed its doors as a movie house.
Three years later, Ammar Mufleh purchased the Cla‑Zel and set about restoring its historic character. He revived the marquee, refinished the lobby, added a full bar and dance floor, and recreated plaster molding, a balcony stairway, and six original chandeliers that are believed to be Tiffany. The space reopened as a nightclub and special‑event venue.
In 2025, Bowling Green native Broc Curry—owner of Toledo’s Frankie’s and Ottawa Tavern—acquired the theater. Working with Mufleh, Curry preserved the building’s heritage while expanding its use for music, film, and community events. The grand reopening on October 24, 2025, featured the emo/pop‑punk band Equipment from Toledo.
Since then the Cla‑Zel has hosted tribute acts, a Tejano and Conjunto celebration, an emo karaoke night, and performances by Here Come the Mummies and Neko Case. Its programming fills a niche in the Toledo metropolitan area, bridging the gap between small clubs and larger venues such as the Stranahan Theater.
The centennial celebration was highlighted by the Bowling Green Historic Preservation Commission, which noted the theater’s architectural significance and its enduring role in the town’s cultural life. The commission’s website lists the Cla‑Zel as a historic building of the month and provides information on how residents can nominate other sites.
Preservation of the Cla‑Zel is part of a broader effort to maintain Bowling Green’s historic downtown. The commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month and encourages community involvement in heritage projects.
As of 2026, the Cla‑Zel remains a multi‑purpose venue, offering film screenings, live music, and community events. Future plans include expanding its event schedule and pursuing collaborations with local universities and arts organizations.
From silent reels to contemporary concerts, the Cla‑Zel’s 100‑year journey illustrates the adaptability of historic entertainment venues and the vital role of community stewardship in preserving cultural landmarks.
Built in 1926 in the Classical Revival style, the 127 N. Main St. venue was designed by Jack Raney and opened on April 21 as a fire‑proof, single‑screen cinema that replaced an earlier open‑air theater. The name “Cla‑Zel” emerged from a contest that merged the first names of owners Clark and Hazel Young, and the original marquee, wood ticket booth, and glass‑paneled lobby doors remain in place as living relics of that era.
For 78 years the Cla‑Zel stood as Ohio’s oldest continuously operating movie house. It first screened silent films with a Marr and Colton pipe organ, then upgraded to a Western Electric sound system in 1930 to bring talkies to local audiences. When it became a non‑profit in 2000, its programming shifted from first‑run releases to classic titles such as The Wizard of Oz and Casablanca.
The theater’s fortunes waned in the early 2000s. On May 7, 2005, the final slate—Popeye, Our Gang, and Roy Rogers—played, followed by a midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show before the venue closed its doors as a movie house.
Three years later, Ammar Mufleh purchased the Cla‑Zel and set about restoring its historic character. He revived the marquee, refinished the lobby, added a full bar and dance floor, and recreated plaster molding, a balcony stairway, and six original chandeliers that are believed to be Tiffany. The space reopened as a nightclub and special‑event venue.
In 2025, Bowling Green native Broc Curry—owner of Toledo’s Frankie’s and Ottawa Tavern—acquired the theater. Working with Mufleh, Curry preserved the building’s heritage while expanding its use for music, film, and community events. The grand reopening on October 24, 2025, featured the emo/pop‑punk band Equipment from Toledo.
Since then the Cla‑Zel has hosted tribute acts, a Tejano and Conjunto celebration, an emo karaoke night, and performances by Here Come the Mummies and Neko Case. Its programming fills a niche in the Toledo metropolitan area, bridging the gap between small clubs and larger venues such as the Stranahan Theater.
The centennial celebration was highlighted by the Bowling Green Historic Preservation Commission, which noted the theater’s architectural significance and its enduring role in the town’s cultural life. The commission’s website lists the Cla‑Zel as a historic building of the month and provides information on how residents can nominate other sites.
Preservation of the Cla‑Zel is part of a broader effort to maintain Bowling Green’s historic downtown. The commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month and encourages community involvement in heritage projects.
As of 2026, the Cla‑Zel remains a multi‑purpose venue, offering film screenings, live music, and community events. Future plans include expanding its event schedule and pursuing collaborations with local universities and arts organizations.
From silent reels to contemporary concerts, the Cla‑Zel’s 100‑year journey illustrates the adaptability of historic entertainment venues and the vital role of community stewardship in preserving cultural landmarks.
