Wayside Central marks 50 years of music and memories

For half a century, Wayside Central has been more than a place to dance. Since opening its doors in 1975, the family-owned operation has remained constant through changing times, several generations of CMU students, and shifting music trends. Mt. Pleasant nightclub owner, John Hunter, says what’s kept Wayside going is a mix of dedication from family and employees, plus a community that continues to show up decade after decade. 

Wayside was started by the Hunter family and remains a family operation to this day. John Hunter succeeded his father, David Hunter, in ownership after his passing in 2017, and runs the club with the help of his mother and wife. 

“I can’t say enough about how fortunate and thankful the Hunter family is that my dad and Norm [Smith] set the table with opening this business and getting it going,” John Hunter expresses about the foundation of the business. “We have six businesses in town, and still to this day, the Wayside is our most successful business, which is a testament to time.”

On Oct. 24, Wayside hosted a community and alumni party to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Hunter explains that the event was “geared towards alumni, family friends of ours, and community members.”

The theme was “Party Like it’s 1975” and the band On the Fly played music from the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s. Additionally, Wayside partnered with the Central Michigan Alumni Association to bring back alumni who used to DJ at Wayside in the ’70s and ’80s. 

“We decided to do it on Homecoming, because it felt like that was the best time that people would be coming back naturally. And then we did it purposely at the beginning of the day, so people who are getting out of work in the community could come, and people who are coming up here for the alumni activities will be here,” says Hunter. 

Hunter says that, despite the five decades that have passed, Wayside has not changed. 

“I think people would think that, ‘Oh, it’s not like it used to be,’” he notes, mentioning when they return to Wayside, “they’re going to find out it’s exactly like it used to be.”

“It still has the same energy and dance charisma that it’s always had,” says Hunter. “We’re still predominantly a student bar for Central Michigan, and kids are still coming here after five decades.”

Hunter says that his family and the employees have both been crucial in keeping Wayside alive and successful. 

“It’s been a lot of dedication,” Hunter says. “The number-one thing we can point to is that we’ve had great employees throughout the years. Current employees to past employees have all put their spin on the Wayside and done a great job, and that’s why we’re still there.”

“We’ve also had rare management. In the 50 years, we’ve had two general managers and two janitors, so we haven’t had a lot of turnover,” explains Hunter. 

As owner, Hunter has learned that “the magic of the business is the employees and the managers. And if you pay attention to them and you treat them right, then they’ll treat your customers right, and then that is a full circle that turns into a functioning business.”

In addition to family, Hunter says that the Mt. Pleasant community and Central Michigan University campus play an equally important role.

“We’re very thankful for the local community—the city of Mt. Pleasant and the university,” he says. “We wouldn’t be here if the university weren’t here.”

Despite the success, running the nightclub has not been without its challenges, and Hunter says that one of the biggest tests was the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was really the only time that we weren’t in operation. But, amazingly enough, when we opened up again after COVID, it just bounced right back even stronger, and people were ready for it.”

While Wayside is mainly known for its music and dancing, it has played an important role in the Mt. Pleasant community throughout its years of operation.  

“I think Wayside has a great role in the Mt. Pleasant community. We employ a lot of college students, and this is sometimes one of their first jobs,” Hunter says. “We get to mentor them in the world of working in a business and learning how to do that.” 

“And another thing is, I think that every community needs a spot where people can go and hang out, one that has rules and is as safe as we can be,” he shares.

While he acknowledges that sometimes running a bar is not always the most fun job, Hunter says that watching relationships form and last makes up for it. 

“Running a bar, you’re going to have some times that aren’t great,” Hunter reflects. “But for the most part, I think that the amazing connections and relationships that have been built from our customers meeting each other outweigh it.”

“Nowadays, I think people might think they meet on social media apps. But, back in the day, this was the meeting point, and the Wayside was where people met.”

And that’s what Hunter hopes to see continue in the future.

“We’ve lasted 50 years, I don’t see why we couldn’t last 50 more. I have two college-age kids, and I think maybe one or both of them will be interested in possibly doing this.” 

“We’re very fortunate with our location in proximity to the student dorms, the football field, and Mission Street,” he says. “Originally, when the Wayside first opened up, they were told that this was a remote location. Now, everything’s built around it.”

“Maybe there will be a renovation in the future and some more bells and whistles and some fun stuff, but fundamentally, I think, we’ll just keep doing the same thing,” Hunter hopes. “We’ll just keep being one of the largest dance clubs in the state of Michigan.”