A large slice of holiday spirit

HURON — With a meticulous approach, Matt Cummings creates a warm, vibrant, inviting masterpiece he hopes all of his customers enjoy. Whether he's baking pizzas or decorating his restaurant's exterior, Cummings adopts a mirroring mentality for both tasks vitally important to him. For the past five years, those traveling along Main Street in Huron undoubtedly notice the many bright lights and festive sights illuminating a large section of this primary city corridor near railroad tracks. No other city-based business goes all-out with an elaborate holiday display like the Huron Pizza House does. Among the more eye-grabbing visuals: • Oversized objects, like vivacious trees and glitzy orbs, sparklingly glow. • Well-known holiday figures, like a nutcracker doll and snowman, luminously stand along a fence as if they're welcoming patrons through the front door. • Snowflakes and candy canes flawlessly fill in empty spaces. • Reindeer joyfully guide Santa Claus in a boat, fitting for Huron's proximity to the waterfront. "We just like bringing the spirit of Christmas into the city," said Cummings, referencing the efforts undertaken between him and staff members. "Every year, I keep getting more and more things. It's really snowballed." Ever since taking ownership of the Huron Pizza House in 1991, Cummings always decorated his restaurant for Christmas. But he went into overdrive in 2019, coinciding with when the Firelands Festival of Lights at Sawmill Creek Resort ended. To him, it's about giving back — and he does so, among other ways, with these lights. "We are about the community here," said Cummings, noting he puts on many fundraisers for Huron Schools, St. Peter Catholic Church and other local organizations. "Because the community has always supported me, it's important to always help them." Cummings, a 1988 Sandusky High School graduate, took ownership of the Huron Pizza House from Barb Leber, his former boss. Less than a year after she established Huron Pizza House, Leber entrusted the eatery to Cummings, who began as one of her delivery drivers and managers. He considers Leber, who also owned Pizza House East along with Pizza House West in Sandusky, as a role model and someone who taught him, from a business perspective, the importance of community. "We use top-quality ingredients, and we don't skimp," said Cummings, pointing out how the pepperoni pizza and garlic bread with cheese remain fan favorites at his establishment. "On our end, I'd rather pay more money for a great product." Many people acknowledge Cummings' attention to detail with his decorations. Count Amy Roldan, a friend and the Huron Chamber of Commerce's former executive director, as one of his biggest supporters. Cummings served as a chamber board member for many years, volunteering his time, products and resources toward many admirable initiatives, Roldan said. "Matt Cummings is not only a great business owner but also a great community member," Roldan said. "He always supports local causes personally and professionally. The time he puts into his wonderful holiday light display, which he adds to every year, is just one example of him going above and beyond, and their food is great, too." Matt Lasko, Huron's city manager, is another person in Cummings' corner. In fact, his decorations inspired city officials to install a community Christmas tree for the first time in at least 25 years. It's at the city's boat basin on Main Street's other end. "We are so appreciative of the creativity and enthusiasm our Main Street businesses show during the holiday season: There is no better example than Huron Pizza House, which takes great pride in adding to enjoyment to all driving through town and those enjoying their delicious food," Lasko said. "As Huron's Main Street begins to reinvent itself, we are so grateful to those establishments that have historically been true assets to Huron through the years," said Lasko, specifically singling out Huron Pizza House. Cummings expressed his sincere gratitude for the kind words. It motivates him to decorate his business for many more holiday seasons. "I don't have kids of my own, but the kids of the community have become my kids," Cummings said. "It's my way of celebrating for the holidays."