Menu
In February 1981, Sam and Sue Sayre started their journey in the hospitality industry when they purchased the Golden Bear Drive-in. Located in Apple Creek, Ohio, the Golden Bear was a walk-up/drive-up ice cream shop. Then, in November of 1983, the Sayres purchased Sparky’s Pizza in Smithville and changed the name to Sam’s Pizza. In 1986, they sold the Golden Bear and put all their energy into creating a high-quality pizza business. Over the next nine years, Sam’s Pizza focused on quality, efficiency, and customer service; their efforts paid off because the business continued to grow and prosper. With the Smithville location doing very well, the Sayre’s looked for an opportunity to expand their business.
In July of 1992, Sam’s Pizza in Marshallville opened for business. The Sayre’s believed the town of Marshallville needed and wanted a pizza shop and knew they would love the opportunity to serve the community in such a manner. After nine good years of selling pizza and knowing that Marshallville was a great town to have a business, it was time for the next step in Marshallville. In March 2001, Sam’s opened the Marshallville Dairiette. Located within Sam’s Pizza, the dairiette served a full line of ice cream treats and novelties.
In July of 2003, the Sayre’s purchased the Village Market in Smithville with the intent of merging the Village Market and Sam’s Pizza into one business. This would provide more physical space and the ability to grow Sam’s Pizza. After six years of remodeling, growth, and changes the Smithville Sam’s Pizza was a completely new business. Sam’s Pizza offered a personalized menu, a deli with freshly made salads, subs, and wraps, and featured the brand new Sam’s Pizza Buffet for lunch and dinner Monday thru Saturday. Sam’s Pizza still offers the weekly lunch buffet to its customers.
In 2003, another division of the company was born. Named the Village Catering Company, the vision was to offer affordable catering for both formal and informal events. Over the years, Village Catering has provided catering services for countless weddings, parties, and office luncheons for clients and corporations throughout Northeast Ohio.
As the company continued to grow in its success, Sam’s Pizza opened its third location in February of 2009 in Creston, Ohio. Then, in May of 2010, the fourth location of Sam’s Pizza opened in Doylestown, Ohio.
From 2014-2018, Village Catering experienced amazing business volume. This growth resulted in the reallocation of time and resources to VCC and, for that reason, the Sayre family decided to close all but the original Sam’s Pizza locations. These very strategic steps allowed for the continued growth and success of the Village Catering brand.
In 2018, with Village Catering thriving, the decision was made to purchase Events Unlimited to help solidify the company’s presence in the hospitality industry. Specifically, Events Unlimited is the entity providing clients the ability to select their linens, china, flatware, centerpieces, decorations and props, essentially offering clients a one-stop-shop for their event planning.
Then, in September of 2019, when a local venue hit the real estate market, the Sayre family saw great potential and an opportunity to once again expand their presence in the hospitality industry. Greystone Event Center was purchased and became a part of the Sayre Hospitality Group. Located in Wooster, Ohio, this spectacular venue is one of the largest event centers in the area with the ability to accommodate all event sizes, from small groups to large gatherings of up to 800 people.
November of 2022 saw the addition of yet another member to the Sayre Hospitality Group family of brands when the Sayre family took operational control of the restaurant and event center located at The Pines Golf Course, located in Orrville, Ohio. Rebranded, “Oak & Pine,” the campus is home to SHG’s new restaurant, Junipers, and White Oak Event Center, with The Pines Golf Course providing a beautiful backdrop for all diners and guests.
In the Summer of 2023, SHG was approached by the owners of Waters Edge Event Center in Ashland, Ohio, with an invitation to assume operational control of the venue. It took just one visit to the venue for SHG leadership to know Waters Edge Event Center could have a place in the family of hospitality-based companies already a part of the Sayre Hospitality Group. Nestled in a serene and beautifully wooded area and situated on the shores of what used to be a popular white sand beach in Ashland, Waters Edge Event Center provides a gorgeously unique venue setting for events and happenings of all kinds.
In the early months of 2024, history then came full circle when Brian Sayre, the current President and co-owner of SHG, was provided the chance to purchase the Golden Bear, the very business his parents owned when they started their journey as small business owners in 1981. Serving the very popular hand-crafted ice cream, novelty desserts, and grill items, the Golden Bear team of employees ensures customers receive the same quality of food and service as the other brands in the company.
The Sayre Hospitality Group leadership team and employees are excited about the new and continued opportunities to provide exceptional services and products to all clients & customers. In addition, they welcome the chance to invest in the communities where they conduct business and in the lives of those with whom they come in contact.
