BACK FOR ANOTHER ROUND

By HOLLY SCHOENSTEIN

The Wedge has reopened under a new owner, with the same format.

AUSTINTOWN — The Wedge nightclub, 1743 S. Raccoon Road in Wedgewood Plaza, reopened this month after sitting silent for three months.

Sami Awadallah of Lake Milton bought the club under the newly founded company South Raccoon Entertainment.

He was one of four partners in the company that previously owned the club, Fahrenheit Entertainment Inc., while working as head of security for two years.

Now, as the sole owner for the nightspot for the 21-and-over crowd, he is attempting to protect his investment, he said.

“My goal is to keep this place going, but you know how rough it is in this business,” Awadallah, 46, said.

Although owning and operating a club has been new for him, his background in business has been useful. He has owned Lakers convenient store at 15723 Mahoning Ave. in Lake Milton for 13 years. He credits his father and Sam Suleiman, owner of a handful of Sam’s Super Savers grocery stores in Youngstown, for teaching him about business.

“This has been a whole different setup for me,” Awadallah said. “The business part I think I can handle, but I want to learn. I like the crowd and the staff; with all the help around here, I think we can make a go.”

South Raccoon Entertainment employs about 30, most of whom had worked at The Wedge before it closed. Awadallah has hired about five new employees.

Although the club will keep the same format — country music on Fridays, a disc jockey on Saturdays, concerts once a month — he plans to make some changes. Repainting the lobby, installing new carpet and adding a 24-by-70-foot deck with a bar are on the list.

No concerts have been scheduled to date, said Corey Ward, a concert promoter for the club.

During a regular night, The Wedge can accommodate 800 people. For standing-room-only concerts, it can hold 1,000 people.

He has also considered more staff interaction, such as having employees perform dance routines. Showing videos on the large screen that hangs above the stage and adding Lebanese food to the menu are other ideas.

He attended a concert in Cleveland where Lebanese food was served and thought it may be successful here.

The Wedge is open Saturdays, but within a month, Awadallah hopes to open it Thursdays and Fridays.

The club is accepting reservations for private parties and events Sundays through Thursdays.

hschoenstein@vindy.com