A Message From the Board Chair…

Hello and Thank you for continuing to be a member of the University Club of Louisville. I wanted to provide an update about the Club and its transition over the past year. 

As you know, the University Club ended its management arrangement with Creative Dining at the end of 2023. The Club was losing money, we lacked focus and had no game plan. Therefore, the direction that the board wanted to take and the direction that Creative Dining wanted to take was not in alignment and in service of what our members expect. 

So, in January of this year, we began anew.

First, we were lucky to have a board member with over 30 years of restaurant and catering experience, Ron Zorn. Ron agreed to assume the position of Director and help plan and implement a new focus and direction of the Club. In addition, we needed to keep the club operational and open to our members and guests. Next, we kept the fine culinary team, and built a strong wait staff, improved on our already excellent food operations, and brought back a customer favorite, the lunch buffet! 

In addition, some club accomplishments we made this year include : 

  • We renewed our liquor license. 

  • We created and have maintained a fiscal budget.

  • We rebuilt our website – (hope you are enjoying it). 

  • We have doubled the size of our board, bringing in a diverse, energetic, and exciting group of people full of ideas. 

  • We hired a new Catering Director, Arron Miller, who brings experience and excitement to the club.

  • We started adding some art exhibits to the club, like the Stone works display from sculptor Don Lawler, and a Julius Freeman Exhibit of his famous posters in January. 

  • We started jazzing up the Club atmosphere. Check out our new UofL drapes in the sports pub! 

  • We became the home of the Rotary Downtown Club, which meets weekly, bringing visibility and exposure to the Club.

I am pleased to report that the results are working. Our lunch volume has doubled since 2023, and we hit a record month in catering sales in September of 2024. We know that catering and events will drive the success of the Club and bring in revenue – and those events continue to increase monthly. We are committed to keeping our expenses in line and have been making a small, but steady profit. 

As we head into 2025, we are setting our sights on connecting with even more of our community. We plan to have monthly special events for our members and guests, including a Valentine’s Day comedy night, more game-watching events, trivia nights, and (of course) the Prime of your Life complimentary dinner for members. More dynamic programming is on the way! We are working to spruce up the club, with sports memorabilia for the pub, pictures from UofL past adorning the hallways, a free coffee station in the lobby, and much more. 

The Board is committed to making the club stronger and more welcoming to everyone that walks through that door. We are here to stay and grow.

Of course, this would not be possible without the help of the incredible staff, management team, and the board of directors of the Club, which have given countless hours to rebuild and regroup, clean up and sort out what we had, while continuing to provide excellent food and service to our customers – you – every single day. I cannot even begin to show my gratitude to these fine people, all of whom love this club and want to see its success. 

So, in closing, rest assured that the University Club is on the right track and will shine even more brightly next year. 

Our Team welcomes any thoughts about the University Club and encourage members who want to help to reach out. This club, Our club, is for everyone to use, and to enjoy. 

Wishing you a happy holiday season, and I appreciate your time and continued support for our University Club!

Sincerely, 

Gregory P. Braun

Board Chair

University Club of Louisville

You may reach me by email : greg@maidinlouisville.com, or by contacting the University Club office at any time.