Damen purchased the institution final February. He owned a meals truck, directed a golf course and dealt with one other bar earlier than proprietor of the Tavern and the Millville grill. Damen can be a veteran of Marines’ physique.
Credit score: Nick Graham
Credit score: Nick Graham
“I knew the earlier proprietor by the meals truck scene. I got here and checked out him, and I noticed the potential he had, and I fell in love with the small metropolis through which he’s and the story of the identical. They’ve informed me that that is certainly one of Millville’s oldest buildings,” Damen stated.
“I wager myself, and I stated, I’ll take it, and I’ve turned it. Since I took it, gross sales have nearly doubled,” he stated. “After I assumed it, I needed to overcome the status of the bar, and that was tough at first, however I labored it, and a 12 months later, we’re effective. I’m very proud of the place we are actually.”
Earlier than when he assumed the property, Damen stated that as JW Dink’s locals generally thought-about it “a diving bar.”
Now, with the incorporation of a brand new kitchen, Millville Tavern gives an entire two -page menu for lunch and dinner, together with each day and wings specials on Thursdays. The idea of restaurant/grill contained in the bar is flourishing. The brand new kitchen was in operation on April 1.
With meals specialists supplied each day, friends can ask for a pizza, a hamburger, rooster wings or a snack. It’s “Taco Tuesday” on Tuesdays with $ 2.50 tacos and margaritas of $ four. each Friday, from 5 pm to 9 pm to Easter, Millville Tavern will supply Fish Fry Friday.
As well as, beverage specials can be found every single day, besides on Saturdays.
Millville Tavern and Grill has been providing the wing particular on Thursdays since 1976. The wing particular consists of 4 complete (giant) wings for $ eight, and the particular is out there all day. The wings of the hand are ready contemporary each Thursday. Historically, they arrive with one aspect of French pink spicy sauce. Prospects also can select from different sauces.
“After I took cost, I stored the identical custom and the identical recipe. The one factor totally different from earlier than is that you can not get the wings till 6 pm, so they’d run out. Now, it’s all day on Thursdays, so you may get them for lunch or dinner, as much as 9 pm,” Damen stated.
Credit score: Nick Graham
Credit score: Nick Graham
The situation was referred to as Millville Tavern earlier than JW Dink was. When Damen took over, he modified it to the unique title of Millville Tavern, including “and grill” to acknowledge the addition of the kitchen.
“I assumed it ought to take the title of the town, and many individuals who bear in mind him as Millville Tavern are very pleasant,” he stated.
Because the phrase spreads, and new individuals enter, Damen stated it has been unbelievable to see progress.
“We now have many common prospects, who’re actually loyal to Millville Tavern. They’ve been coming right here since they had been kids. I’ve heard it so many occasions. They may say that I had my first beer on this bar and I nonetheless come right here,” he stated.
Along with including a kitchen and serving lunch and dinner, there have been different updates to enhance buyer expertise.
“The large change for us was to open the kitchen. That’s what actually doubled our gross sales. It was very darkish after I took cost, and now we now have a brand new signage, new decorations and a brand new lighting,” Damen stated. “It has been an unbelievable first -year journey, and I am unable to wait to see what it brings this 12 months.”
Studying the world
Being on the east aspect, in Clermont County, Damen stated that he not solely needed to study concerning the enterprise, however I needed to meet Hamilton and Butler county, in addition to prospects.
“I needed to study all the things,” he stated. “The truth that it’s not from this space, and that everybody has embraced me as certainly one of his personal, has actually meant lots to me. It is nice.”
Households are inspired to enter and produce their kids till 10 pm there’s a eating room and a bar, and the 2 areas are separated. Friends can play pool at a pool desk of diamonds or play darts in free dart boards. After 10 pm, Millville Tavern is for over 21 years.
Damen additionally stated he had the chance to fulfill the opposite bars house owners within the space.
“They’re unbelievable,” he stated. “All different bars house owners within the space assist one another in order that this space returns to vibrant. We all know what it may be.”
Native bars house owners have collaborated a number of occasions in the course of the previous 12 months, together with a March Crawl Pub for San Patricio Day, a Santa Crawl pub round Christmas, and celebrated an important Halloween social gathering.
The hosts of Millville Tavern and Grill open an open microphone evening on Tuesdays; reside music on Wednesdays; and Karaoke on Thursday evening. On weekends, often, there may be reside music on Fridays and Saturdays.
Extra particulars
Millville Tavern and Grill opens at 11 within the morning each day for lunch. The bar/restaurant is situated at 135 Millville Oxford Highway in Hamilton. Take a look at the newest information and particular on Fb.com/millvillatavern.