The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Tissue with takeout at Huggy’s bar
A bar serving up an unlikely combo for carryout has made national news in the matter of a few days, putting Vermilion in the spotlight.
Huggy’s Social House, 5024 Liberty Ave., is giving away a roll of toilet paper with the purchase and pickup of every meal.
Tom Hug, who owns the establishment alongside Mark McDowell, said his bar started the deal the afternoon of March 21 and saw nearly 60 meals go out to locals that night.
“It’s increased business dramatically,” Hug said. “A lot of people are happy to find humor in the times we’re in now.”
The idea came after dinein restaurants and bars were temporarily closed in the state, leaving the business with a surplus of toilet paper that would otherwise go unused until restaurants opened back up, he said.
“I decided I’d rather do something fun and productive, rather than having boxes sit on shelves,” Hug said.
Through social media, the bar’s unique deal blew up, with media outlets like MSN, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Post and nationally through Fox News, he said.
“It’s been a good thing,” Hug said. “If nothing else, it’s given Vermilion attention.”
The bar purchases toilet paper from institutional suppliers and has enough to get through the remainder of next week, given a slowing of business due to the statewide stay-at-home order issued March 23.
The business now sports a message on its sign for those passing by: “Free toilet paper with every 2Go meal!”
Hug said implementing take-out and the toilet paper deal took some adjusting.
“We’re a bar, we’re known for our Bloody Marys and martinis,” he said. “We’re not known for to-go.”
Huggy’s has its take-out menu on the bar’s Facebook page, which includes everything from burgers and wraps to salads and pizza.
Customers also can mixand-match beer to go and can add wine to their orders.
Hug said no matter where locals go for their carry-out, they have plenty of good options in the city of Vermilion.
“Vermilion is blessed with great restaurants,” he said. “You can’t go wrong with food to-go.”