Membership at the Italian Center in Stamford (CT) rose so much recently that, for the first time in 15 years, the club will implement a membership waiting list starting Aug. 1. Italian Center Executive Director Jonathan Hoch, Sr. confirmed the use of a waiting list in a phone call July 11. He said the center has about 50% more members now than when he joined five years ago. 

“We're very lucky in that the last few years have been good and I think our members are very happy with all the positive changes that have gone on,” Hoch said. Hoch said the center, as of July 11, had more than 1,000 memberships. Those who want to join the center after Aug. 1 will have to wait for a spot to open up.