Bars that opened just before shutdown vow to come back
Amelia
A handful of new or relocated downtown Dayton bars and a Kettering craft brewery opened at exactly the wrong time: right before the forced shutdown of the heart of their businesses due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
These new establishment were months, even years, in the making, and now, their founders’ dreams have hit a wall. But the owners say they’ll scale that wall and move forward, when they can.
Tender Mercy, a lavishly designed underground cocktail bar at 607 E. Third St. in Dayton, had to shut down three days after it fully opened to the public. Co-founder Chris Dimmick admits it was a blow. But, he said: “We’re making lemonade.”
When bars are allowed to start serving again, “We’ll definitely have a grand re-opening celebration,” Dimmick said. “We’ve had a lot of practice in the last couple of weeks. We’ll be able to turn it back on when we’re ready to.”
In the meantime, Dimmick said his focus is on keeping his staff financially stable. Tender Mercy is selling gift cards that will receive a 19% boost in value. Proceeds from the sales of gift cards will “directly subsidize our work family,” Dimmick said.
Gift cards up to $500 are available on Tender Mercy’s web site, and larger amounts can be processed via email at mercy@tendermercy.com.
Tender Mercy employees who put in hours at local food banks and other non- profit organizations are getting paid to do so by the bar, the Tender Mercy co-founder said. The bar’s owners also are gearing up to launch a line of merchandise to support the staff.
have about 24 employees total, and we will keep all 24,” Dimmick said.
Century Bar, the downtown Dayton bourbon destination that has scored
Diane Spitzig, co-owner of the Century Bar in downtown Dayton, is exploring loan options to sustain the bourbon bar through the dark days and weeks ahead.
Tender Mercy, a cocktail bar at 607 E. Third St. in Dayton, held its initial grand opening March 12. national acclaim, had just moved next door into a heav-
renovated location at 18 S. Jefferson St. six weeks ago, re-opening on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 2. It operated at its new home for six weeks before the shutdown order.
“We went 32 days closed (without income) before we opened,” said Diane Spitzig, co-owner of the Century Bar with business partner Joseph Head. “Then BAM, we are closed again.”
Spitzig said she is explor- ing loan options to sustain the bourbon bar through the dark days and weeks to come.
Despite the setback, Spitzig said she is trying to be positive.
“We will get through this,” she said. “I’ve been doing this 24 years. I can think my way out of it.”
Chris Wire — founder of Red Star Red Star Vodka Bar and Cocktail Lounge that opened Feb. 28 at 534 E. First Street in downtown Dayton — said he fully supports the actions state and local governments have taken to address the coronavirus pandemic, “but I see and feel first-hand with my teams how much pain and uncertainty we are all enduring.”
“It’s an incredible challenge. Our main goals right now are to do what’s needed to save lives and whatever we can to take care of our people in the process. I’m confident that if we come together as a community, with a little time and support, we can get out the other side of this and back to doing what we do.”
“Red Star will
Wire said.
The founders of Nowhere in Particular Cabinet of Curiosities, the Kettering craft brewery that opened on, yes, Friday the 13th at 4716 Wilmington Pike and was ordered to shut down two days later, posted this on the brewery’s Facebook page:
“First off, we wanted to thank everyone that came out and supported us for our soft opening and grand closing of what may have been the shortest run a taproom has ever had ... . ”
The brewery is offering four-packs of canned beers for sale for carryout, and is working to set up a delivery service for its beers during the forced shutdown. be back,”