Portage Private Club Has Closed After Over 70 Years Of Operating

Portage and other Kalamazoo-area residents are saying goodbye to an area private club that has been a staple in the community since 1947. According to MLive, The Beacon Club on Portage Rd. has closed due to dwindling membership.

The club began 71 years ago on New Year's Eve at its location near the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport. Membership peaked in the 1970s and 1980s at around 300 members.

The club decided to end operations at a meeting in June, citing years of declining membership.. The Beacon Club's official closing happened back on June 27th.

“The membership has been dwindling for years. As you know, private clubs are a thing of the past. They are very hard to support.” Donald Sappanos - owner of the property on Portage Road speaking to MLive

Most recently, members used the club as a private dining service, booking the historic facility's private rooms for corporate meetings, events and meals.

MLive says the property owner is looking for someone who may have a new plan for the property, whether to keep operating it as a private club or convert it to a restaurant or business that is open to the public.