The Carroll County Park District board is pleased to announce the opening of the restaurant at Bluebird Farm Park under the management of a family of Canton and Massillon entrepreneurs with extensive restaurant and tavern-operation experience.
Heading the operating corporation called 190 Alamo Road LLC are Steve and Cherrie Yerkey of Canton. Steve operates CH Vallos and Associates insurance agency and was previously an owner of Capone's Restaurant in Canton.
Cherrie will operate the Bluebird Farm Gift Shop with Steve handling event planning for the restaurant and amphitheater.
Assisting the Yerkeys is Jim Simon, a native of Massillon with more than 33 years experience in the tavern business, who owned and operated several establishments in the Massillon area.
Cyndy Walton, also a Canton native, will be operating the restaurant. She currently resides in Dover with her husband, Jack.
Cyndy said her love for cooking came from her family, because when they got together it was all about the food, and with their encouragement, it turned into her passion. She stated, "After 40-plus years of cooking, I still find it rewarding to know everyone is satisfied, and full."
The new operators have been interviewing former Bluebird staff members as possible new employees and plan on serving several favorite menu items. The restaurant will be open for full service by Easter Sunday, and will be serving both lunch and dinner menus family style.
Wayne Chunat, president of the parks board, said he is gratified to have found such an experienced and talented family to run the Bluebird Farm Park Restaurant.
"After more than a year of searching and negotiations, the park board feels these families will maintain and exceed the standards for both the food and operation that Joyce Hannon established for the Bluebird Farm," he said. "We know the entire county is looking forward to enjoying Bluebird's famous hospitality once again."