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FeedTrending In 2012: Return To Neighborhood Taverns
George Stefanidis fondly remembers the corner pubs in Boston where he grew up. “Little taverns where the locals went and hung out,” he says—quick to add that, although he was too young to ever go into one, they remind him of home.
His affection for neighborhood taverns led him to purchase the Red Brick Inn, a historic saloon with a slew of devoted regulars in predominantly blue-collar Merion Village, with plans to spruce the place up a bit.
Stefanidis, who owns Easy Street Cafe in adjacent German Village, bought the dive from his longtime friend Dell Pipas in October. He’s keeping Red Brick open during renovations, and plans to have everything shipshape by February.
Over in Olde Towne East, Krista Sparks Hobbs, her husband, Brad Hobbs, and friend Kevin Burns have bet on the success of a similar concept with The Tavern, which they opened in June. The couple, who moved into the neighborhood eight years ago, noticed a distinct lack of community gathering spaces.
“We went to Carabar, which is a music venue,” Sparks Hobbs says, “but there was no place to hang out and grab a quick bite to eat.”
The corner of Oak and 18th streets, which they share with Yellow Brick Pizza and The Angry Baker, has become a real destination, she adds. Says Sparks Hobbs: “People are really starting to get to know the neighbors.”
THE TAVERN With its exposed brick, hardwood floors and tin ceiling, The Tavern has merged neighborhood pub with fashionable urban diner.
“We wanted to make it pretty stylish and upscale, but keep it comfortable,” says Sparks Hobbs. “We didn’t want anybody to think it was off-limits.”
In addition to a tight-knit neighborhood clientele, the Tavern lures craft beer lovers from around Central Ohio with 20 brews on tap in addition to upwards of 90 bottled varieties.
The kitchen puts out a Brier Hill-style pizza (no mozzarella, just Romano sprinkled on top) inspired by Hobbs’ and Burns’ childhood in Youngstown.
“It’s surprisingly good,” Sparks Hobbs says.
899 Oak St., Olde Towne East, 614-252-2955, theoldetownetavern.com
RED BRICK INN Stefanidis hopes to retain the Inn’s kitschy character—the place is filled with odd trinkets and old sports memorabilia—while infusing it with a bit of style and modernity.
Plans include adding 40 beer taps and restoring the hardwood floors. He also wants to expand the back patio, expose the brick walls and high ceilings, and update the kitchen. Expect more upscale food options, including New York-style pizza, sliders and gourmet hot dogs.
“I’m noticing I’ve had more yuppies coming in, mixing with the old clientele,” Stefanidis says. “I want them all to get along.”
292 E. Gates St., Merion Village, 614-444-7637
