Wellington gets ready for Liam Neeson, film crew

WELLINGTON — Customers will be able to walk through Farm & Home Hardware on Oct. 10 while movie star Liam Neeson films scenes for his upcoming thriller — but they'll have to be quiet. "We're not going to have to close for the shooting, but we need some quiet time," said store owner Scott Jerousek. There won't be any access during shooting at Wellington Music. In fact, Mayor Hans Schneider said the road will shut down due to outdoor filming. Crews will be shooting both scenes that day for "The Minuteman," the story of an Arizona rancher who takes a small Mexican boy under his wing with cartel assassins in pursuit. Filming is expected to begin around the morning commute and wrap up after dark, said Schneider. About mid-morning, cameras will capture Neeson and the child stopping by Farm & Home on South Main Street to buy clothing and a candy bar, said Jerousek. He believes filming at his store will take about three or four hours. Phones will be silenced and there will be some crowd-control measures in place, but customers will be able to come and go. Some aisles will be blocked off, said Jerousek. The situation will be much different at Wellington Music, which will be converted via Hollywood magic into a gun store. Owner Steve Neff said there will be barricades, little to no access to the stretch of street and a police presence. He's also put together a private security team that includes a retired state trooper, retired CIA officer, a police officer out of Ashland and a retired Elyria detective. "We don't have a choice. There's going to be lots of firearms in here," said Neff, a certified firearms instructor who will be present to provide security at the store. Weapons used in the shoot will come from his own personal collection, he said. "Nothing's going to leave my sight," he said. There is no village permit needed for production companies to film in Wellington. Schneider said he'd rather have the notoriety than money. "There are a lot of towns that would love to have a movie film there for a day or two," said Schneider. "We're the ones who get it this time." Wellington hosted the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall replica this summer, won the $25,000 grand prize in the America's Favorite Main Street Contest and is welcoming a movie crew, Neff noted. "Wellington is really shining," he said. Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.