Casa di Borally will close to become Buckeye Charity Event Center

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio - Casa di Borally and Villa di Borally will soon stop operating in Richmond Heights, ending a tradition that spanned 50 years.

The Chardon Road catering business will soon be sold to Northeast Ohio Charity Services, LLC and will become the Buckeye Charity Event Center.

Christian Haffey will operate the new business, taking over Casa di Borally on July 1, and Villa di Borally on Dec. 31. Haffey told NewsChannel5 the Buckeye Charity Event Center will continue catering at the building, but will also host charity poker tournaments on the weekends.

"I intend to keep a lot of the Borally staff in place," said Haffey. "I think it's a great thing for the community. I'm going to make it even larger than it is right now."

Concern and controversy struck the Borally family last August, after co-owner Patrick Borally went missing for a week , triggering a massive search by police and 100 volunteers. Borally was later found, sitting in his van, in a remote region of Ontario, Canada. He was unharmed, but his doctor said Borally suffered from a brain disorder that may have been triggered by childhood Meningitis.

The incident left some in Richmond Heights wondering if the Borally's catering business would continue much longer.

Haffey believes the Buckeye Charity Event Center will allow a vibrant business to continue at the Borally's location, and help 501c3 charities at the same time.

"All of the gaming money goes to the charity," explained Haffey. "I make my money through the catering aspect, I'm serving food and beverages, and they are my customers."

But Richmond Heights Law Director Todd Hunt said there are still some questions as to whether the Borally's site is capable of being zoned for charity gaming.

"That's the question, whether that fits the definition of banquet facility, and if it doesn't, they have the opportunity to apply for what is called similar use. They have to convince our planning commission and city council it's a similar use."

Still, Haffey is convinced the Buckeye Charity Event Center will meet all the needed applications and requirements.

"I will conform to anything that Richmond Heights wants me to do," said Haffey. "I think the Mayor and the building department wants to get this done as much as I do."