‘ELKS’TREME MAKEOVER: Plymouth fraternal lodge’s renovation dazzling
Plymouth-Ann Arbor Elks Lodge 325 Exalted Ruler Charley Dawson (right) and Est. Leading Knight Marc Godman stand in the lodge’s renovated lounge area.
Never bet against a determined group of Elks.
Facing a a number of obstacles in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Plymouth-Ann Arbor Elks Lodge 325 emerged from the daunting task of relocating from its longtime home on Ann Arbor Road to its new digs less than a mile north with an eye-catching new lodge that makes first-time visitors say, “Wow!”
Guided by the vision and hands-on work of Exalted Ruler (President) Charley Dawson, among others, the Elks’ recently-renovated 4,000-square-foot meeting space at 110 Ann Arbor Trail (the former site of an Airgas store) is a gleaming sight for sore eyes, featuring modern touches, both inside and out.
No longer gritty
Since its inception, the building was affiliated with welding supplies — longtime residents of Plymouth may remember it back in the day as Ozzie’s Welding Shop — and its pre-renovation interior reflected that.
“It was very gritty, industrial with wires and electrical boxes,” said Dawson. “Now it’s bright and clean — a great place for our members to socialize and hold meetings.
“When I first walked in here before we purchased the place, I knew right away it would be perfect. I could see the bones of it, although it was hard to envision it the way it looks now. I knew the potential was there.”
The amazing makeover didn’t happen overnight, Dawson emphasized.
“We finally got cleared for occupancy in September, which was close to two years after we purchased the property,” he said. “It’s been a long haul, but the wait has been worth it.”
Location, location, location
Marc Godman, the lodge’s esteemed leading knight (vice president), said the process couldn’t have unfolded much better for the Elks.
“This location (just northwest of the intersection of Lilley and Ann Arbor Trail) is great and the size is perfect,” Godman said.
“Since we opened in September, we’ve had so many neighbors stopping in and checking it out. Once they’re here, we tell them what the Elks is all about and they love our mission.”
Dawson and Godman revealed Ozzie’s son even dropped by one day to take a few photos to show to his dad.
“He was impressed,” Godman shared.
Membership rising
Godman said Lodge 325’s membership has increased roughly 10-15% since September.
The Elks’ leaders reiterated their appreciation for other local fraternal organizations — the VFW and Masons — for opening their doors for social gatherings and business meetings during the lodge’s extended renovation.
Among the revamped building’s coolest features are a spacious lounge area with big-screen TVs, ample seating and garage doors that can be closed or opened to either enlarge the entertainment space or closed to compartmentalize the layout when a business meeting or memorial is scheduled.
More efficient space
“Nothing against our former lodge because it served its purpose for a number of years, but the way it was laid out wasn’t ideal for ease of operations,” Dawson said. “The kitchen was located on the opposite side of the building from the lounge. We had a clean slate going into this renovation, so we could engineer it with high-efficiency in mind.”
Dawson and Godman said the lodge can be rented out for events by visiting its website.
They also encouraged people who are passing by to stop in and check out the spruced-up space and see what is possible when a group of Elks are determined to complete an organization-changing project.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
