Castle Noel opens Starlight Room restaurant in Medina with 10,000-light ceiling show (photos)
The Castle Noel courtyard.
CLEVELAND, Ohio – When you walk into Castle Noel, the all-things-Christmas museum and fun house, you’ll see artifacts from movies, holiday gifts and more. But what really makes it is owner Mark Klaus.
Yes, that’s his name. His beard has more gray than Santa’s, but it’s just as thick. And he’s definitely a jolly fellow.
As Kimberly Marshall, Medina’s economic development director, said: “He looks like a vintage Santa.”
Castle Noel opened in 2013.
Friday, Klaus and his wife Dana had reason to smile, as they officially opened the Starlight Room restaurant with a bit of fanfare. Dignitaries including Medina Mayor Dennis Hanwell, council members and others attended the ribbon-cutting.
The courtyard is adjacent to the new restaurant.
The eatery is the newest addition to the museum, which the Klauses opened in 2013 in a former Methodist church.
“It’s something I always planned on. This is a family project, and it grows every year. We build a little every year,” he told cleveland.com.
The courtyard holds large figures, a stage and heated concrete.
“The whole restaurant idea has been in my head for a long time. Every year after Christmas I buy a stove, buy a hood, buy a this, buy a that. It has always been my intention to have a really complete experience where people can not only experience Castle Noel but they can go have a great meal and have some fun together.”
Castle Noel is all about Christmas, from movie props to gifts.
The pièce de résistance is a 10,000-light show on the ceiling. Every 15 minutes a different song plays, with lights in sync with music.
“It just adds to the magic of the whole experience,” said Klaus, who constantly seeks ways to improve the attraction.
“That’s where we are always going: We’re always trying to make it that much more interesting, that much more magical, that much more detailed.”
The menu includes burgers, paninis, salads and other items, with an “elves in training” – kids – menu. Many items are themed to Christmas characters, like Cindy Lou Who Caprese, from “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.”
The gift shop has an array of items. The museum drew a steady stream of visitors on Friday.
The space is cozy, clubby and casual, with tasteful holiday displays in window cutouts facing about a dozen tables. Old magazine ads are framed on the wall, and small narrow trees stand with non-blinking white lights.
Klaus’ favorite part, though, is “the real reason for the season” - a demure instrumental version of “Silent Night,” with soft blue and white hues dancing above.
Klaus respects the season while having fun. Earlier, as people sauntered in from outside, he turned to them and jokingly said, “Have fun everyone! Enjoy the ice-water dunk!”
He also renovated the outdoor space, with heated concrete near the indoor restaurant and outdoor stage.
“I wanted it to feel more like a resort,” he said.
Marshall said since Castle Noel opened, Klaus has “steadily invested in the property.”
Klaus remembers telling his wife years ago, “This is the perfect place for Castle Noel.” Becoming emotional, he recalled the day when he bought the place more than a decade ago. As huge flakes softly fell, he turned to Dana and said, “That’s where our home is now.”
Castle Noel is close to Medina Square.
As Klaus said, “It’s all about the memories.”
About Castle Noel
Location: 260 S. Court St., Medina. It’s right off Medina Square.
The dining room is officially opened.
Miles from Cleveland: 32.
Castle Noel is on S. Court Street in Medina.
Parking: Dedicated lot plus street spots.
©2025 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit cleveland.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Thousands of lights are on the ceiling and choreographed to Christmas songs.
