The stunning new venue known as The Aviator Event Center & Pub will open in a few short weeks in the former home of the 100th Bomb Group overlooking Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
By Mitch Allen
The Aviator Event Center & Pub—opening this spring—is transforming the former 100th Bomb Group location beside Cleveland Hopkins International Airport into a stunning venue for weddings and other gatherings. Here’s everything you need to know, including its deep connection to Strongsville.
It’s about to take flight. The stunning new venue known as The Aviator Event Center & Pub will open in a few short weeks in the former home of the 100th Bomb Group overlooking Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
Thanks to a massive renovation, The Aviator has been refashioned to exude opulent modern elegance, including a ballroom with a gorgeous white marble dance floor glowing beneath a custom Italian chandelier.
The Aviator’s focus is reflected in its tagline: “Imagination without barriers.”
“We’re here to give you the wedding of your dreams,” says president and owner Khadar Soussou, 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 Strongsville.
And by the “wedding of your dreams,” Khadar means total customization. “We don’t offer packages A, B and C. We’re a complete custom caterer top to bottom. We find out what your dream is and we make it happen.”
In addition to weddings, The Aviator features other event spaces for all kinds of family and business events—from showers and rehearsal dinners to first communions and corporate retreats.
Let’s take a look inside…
Your Dream Wedding!
With complete customization, onsite partners, and a proprietary planning app, The Aviator is utterly reinventing the wedding. Your dream wedding is now easier—and closer—than you think.
At age 28, Khadar is the youngest event center owner in the region and he understands what young couples expect these days.
In fact, he’s reinventing the wedding.
“The word wedding comes with so many different perceptions and we’re blowing those up,” he says. “You don’t get a cookie-cutter wedding reception with chicken and green beans. And buffets are long gone; we don’t even offer them.”
“Instead,” adds Executive Chef Jon Standen, “you get anything from a Brazilian steakhouse feast experience to a chef carving tableside—you get the elegance of a plated meal but with a unique touch never seen before at a wedding. The sky’s the limit.”
Jon launched his career with Michael Symon’s Lola and most recently served as executive chef at one of Northeast Ohio’s top country clubs.
Get the App!
At The Aviator, gone are the days of planning a wedding via email.
“We’ve made wedding planning simple with our own app,” Khadar says. “It’s called Aviator Events and it’s already in the App Store. We communicate with you in real time any time. The app helps keep the details of your big day all in one place. Everything—from catering contracts, menus, timelines, decor design, and more—are at your fingertips.”
Custom Creativity
Executive vice president Spencer Shaw offers an example of custom creativity. “Some brides and grooms want formal, some don’t. Right now we’re planning a wedding for a couple that loves to go camping,” he says.
“We’re parking campers in the parking lot for their guests to sleep in and we’re bringing in a fire pit so everyone can make s’mores and do shots of Jameson Irish Whiskey. It’s all about who you are and what your dreams are. The vast majority of our weddings will feature something that is not on the catering menu.”
Strongsville Roots
The owners and operators investing in and managing The Aviator Event Center have deep roots in Strongsville. President and owner Khadar Soussou grew up in Strongsville working in his family’s Royal Park Fine Wine, which has locations in both Strongsville and North Royalton. Partner and Northeast Ohio entrepreneur Tony G. Di Fiore is from Strongsville and was a neighbor of the Soussou family when Khadar was growing up. And several members of the Rababy family call Strongsville home. This is the three-generation family behind the successful United Concessions Group, also a partner in The Aviator.
All-Inclusive
The Aviator is also taking the stress out of wedding planning by creating a one-stop shop, a completely all-inclusive experience. “We have high-profile onsite partners so you don’t have to worry about anything,” says partner Tony G. Di Fiore. “Blanc Slate is here to handle your floral decorations and event design, and RJ Donnelly photography and video can capture the event forever. They’re all here. Even Ohio DJ Pros has an office right in the building to make it easy to plan your entertainment. And we’ve partnered with Jack Frost Donuts, perfect when guests get the late-night munchies.”
The event center also features variable uplighting already installed (just choose your color) plus two ceremony sites with the airport as a backdrop.
Don’t let The Aviator name fool you. It refers to the proximity to the airport, not to the décor. “You’ll find an aviation theme in the pub, but not in the rest of the event center,” Khadar assures. “We don’t want our theme interfering with your theme.”
For enhanced planning flexibility, the venue can also do wedding receptions any day of the week, including Sundays. And the location can’t be beat. “There’s a reason why they built the airport here,” Tony says. “It’s convenient to all of Northeast Ohio, and with the Orbit Hotel opening in the former NASA buildings, your out-of-town guests won’t have far to travel.”
The Aviator features two dining spots open to the public—the Restaurant & Pub and The Little Bomber rooftop bar. Let’s look at each:
Dining at The Aviator
You don’t have to host an event or be on a guest list to enjoy the food, fun and facilities at The Aviator.
Restaurant & Pub
“We’re offering a modern twist on some of your favorites from the former 100th Bomb Group,” Khadar says, “from the finest steaks to delicious burgers with a focus on fresh, local ingredients. The Pub is perfect for a date night, family gathering or happy hour with friends. You can even enjoy al fresco dining on our patio overlooking the Cleveland-Hopkins runways and sip a cocktail while watching the planes fly overhead.”
The menu also feature more casual fare like Chicken and Donuts, the chef’s fun play on chicken and waffles. You’ll find BBQ Short Ribs, slow-cooked and fork-tender, served with roasted fingerling potatoes, fire-roasted corn and grilled asparagus. The Smash Burger features a touch of butter with candied bacon, pimento cheese and bourbon barbeque sauce.
The Little Bomber Rooftop Bar
With such a dramatic transformation of the overall facility, The Little Bomber name is Khadar’s tip of the hat to history. “The name pays homage to the former 100th Bomb Group,” he explains. “It’s an electric environment where you can party under the stars. And from the rooftop, you can reach up and almost touch the jets overhead.”
The Little Bomber features its own bar dinner menu while enjoying the stunning views.
After dining, feel free to check the event center, including a wedding shop where you can explore options for linen, plates and flatware.
More than Weddings
It’s also the perfect space for family celebrations and corporate meetings.
Although The Aviator will undoubtedly become legendary for its all-inclusive weddings, the venue will also host many other types of events.
In addition to the 400-person ballroom—known as the Flight Event Space—The Aviator also features the all-stone Gabriella’s Space for up to 120 guests; the oak wood Maria’s Place for up 70 guests; and Sophia’s Room, perfect for family celebrations, bar and bat mitzvahs, showers, and corporate meetings of up to 40 people. The rooms, by the way, were named for the partner’s daughters.
“The Aviator is perfect for bridal and baby showers, rehearsal dinners, corporate meetings and retreats, holiday parties, first communions, and more,” Khadar says. “The list is endless and so is our flexibility. We can accommodate any size gathering with a space and a vibe that fits perfectly with the nature of the event, whether that’s formal or casual, all-business or all-party.”
All spaces within The Aviator are decidedly upscale with available valet parking and champagne Chiavari chairs. “The days of ‘upgrades’ are gone,” Khadar says. “Our standard chairs are the upgrade. Our guests deserve the best.”
The Aviator Event Center & Pub is expected to open in the first quarter of 2022, but dates are booking up fast. To schedule a tour, call 216-770-5300 or contact them online at AviatorCLE.com. The facility is located at 20920 Brookpark Road in Cleveland.