The doors of Hillsdale’s amusement park, Silos Fun Park, are finally open for business.
Park co-owners Dave and Mary Cleveland ran it from 2004 to 2010, but other business ventures and family obligations influenced them to put it up for sale or lease.
After being closed for nearly three and a half years, the park is finally back in full swing.
Joe and Christina Taormina began renting the property in February 2014 and have taken over its operation.
Immediately afterward, the couple began renovations.
Because the arcade is now closed due to outstanding expenses, Joe was able to use his finances for other projects. “The swamp was cleaner than the pool” holding the bumper cars, and the driving range was partially damaged from vandilization, he said. Now there are security cameras by the range, and the water is clearer.
Though the “Spring Cars” for go-cart racing are in the process of being repaired, all other racing cars are ready to be used.
Not only has the park been repaired, it now serves Sicilian style pizza, which Joe claims is “the best you’re going to find around here.”
The food is made fresh daily, with no frozen dough or sauce, and for those who’d rather stay cozy in their dorms, Silos will offer free delivery. The new diner also serves various kinds of breadsticks, cinnamon bites, coke products, and soft-serve ice cream.
Patrons walking into the building will notice booths and various seating arrangements on the first floor, and the upper-level also serves as a dining hall that can seat up to 70 people.
Eventually, Joe said he would like a sports bar in the upper dining room, which would serve alcoholic beverages. Although the sports bar is still a work in progress, Joe has high hopes for Silos. He wishes to promote the new business throughout the community by giving a 5 percent discount on any food item to a student who shows their school ID. Joe also plans to give discounts to Hillsdale students, teachers, college athletes, coaches, city workers and officials, and the police department.
“For every semester a student maintains a 4.0 GPA, and can show proof through transcripts or teacher’s signatures, that person will receive a free meal on me,” Joe said.
The park hours aren’t set in stone, but as of now, Joe gives a rough idea of the schedule. He says that Sunday through Thursday the park will be open during the day and close at 10, with the exception of Mondays, in which the park may be open until 10:30 p.m. for the students who wish to watch NFL on Monday nights.
Although the outside activities will remain open as long as the weather allows, the food service and dining hall will remain open year-round, except for possibly closing lunch service during the fall and winter months.
Rachel Moore, a sophomore at Hillsdale College, said she’s excited to try out the new activities.
“Silo-Joe’s has really picked itself up off the ground,” she said. “The mini-golf course looks really fun. I can’t wait to head over there and check it out!”
Sophomore Carrick Conway visited Silos within the last few weeks and had only good things to say about it.
“I had a great time, the karts exceeded my expectations,” Conway said. “Prices seemed decent to me — not too expensive.”
Joe said the park will continue to be enhanced with new ideas such as the sports bar, a renovated golfing range, and planned activities like mini-golf tournaments.
