Epic Live comes to town
Dec. 30—ASHTABULA — West Avenue is expected to be bustling this weekend as a new entertainment business takes over the former Roller Den and surrounding businesses.
John Miller and Stacey McMullan are operating Epic Live Sports and Entertainment Complex, and are celebrating the New Year's weekend with a variety of entertainment options, with a plan to add a lot more in the future.
The couple also run a similar venue in Addyston, Ohio, and book bands and comedians from across the country.
Miller said he has been working on acquiring use of the property for three years, and is excited to provide a variety of entertainment options. He said he is leasing the entire property from an out of state investor that recently bought the property.
The last month has involved a lot of renovation work at the facility.
The complex includes the former Andrus Party Center, Softball City, the Roller Den and surrounding land. Guyreino's Deli is working with Miller on the ongoing operation and events at the party center.
"If you saw this a month ago you wouldn't have believed (how it looks now)," he said while giving a tour of the former Roller Den.
Miller said he plans to build a family center with putt-putt golf, video games and a nerf gun battle areas on the property. He has also opened up the roller rink for skating on weekends.
A new 60 by 24-foot music stage has been constructed on the south side of the the rink area, and includes concert style lighting. He said he hopes to have live music with roller skating for adults in the future as well.
Miller said the former Softball City will host larger softball tournaments in the summer if things go as planned.
"I have a background in softball," he said.
Miller has been in the entertainment industry for decades, promoting events and running his own entertainment businesses in suburban Cincinnati, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and Branson, Mo.
"I bought my first club in 1998," he said.
Miller even wrote a musical that was hosted in his club in Pigeon Forge for several years.
A music studio is also being constructed for musicians to record their music, Miller said.
A new music lounge has been constructed from an old children's facility at the north west end of the building. He said it will seat about 300 people and has already hosted several Saturday evening comedy events.
He said Kevin Farley performed this past weekend with about 50 people attending. Miller said he is expecting a lot more to come and has comedy acts booked for Saturdays through February.
The roller rink itself will also be used to house larger events, with the possibility of seating up to 3,000 people, Miller said. A new music stage has been constructed on the south side of the rink.
Miller said he was interested in Ashtabula because it is close to Erie and Mentor, and is the perfect place for a medium-sized entertainment complex.
