The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

September 24, 2008

Business good in Grove City’s first public liquor-serving eatery

By Andrew Carranza

GROVE CITY — History was made in Grove City last week as The Blue Ribbon Tavern, downtown’s first – and only – liquor-serving restaurant, opened.

Longtime resident Micah Olson-Sawyer summed up his feelings.

“Freedom,” he said simply with a smile.

Grove City resident Carol Schmidt also expressed excitement over having a bar downtown.

“The community supports it, and we’ve been looking forward to it for some time,” she said. “There is a lot of potential here.”

The S. Broad Street restaurant opened with a limited menu and expects to have a full menu ready next week, according to co-owner Rich Baker, originally from West Middlesex.

A grand opening is planned soon, as head chefs Aaron Churchill and Justin Burk continue to incorporate the tavern’s full menu.

The historic liquor license was granted Sept. 12, according to LCB spokesperson Francesca Chapman. Baker and co-owner Jim Nicholson applied for it in late February, after residents narrowly voted to overturn the town’s dry status last year. They have been hard at work on the tavern since last March and, with the help of family and friends, did all the work — including extensive oak and cherry woodwork — themselves. Two 50-inch big screens also line the restaurant’s walls.

Baker said it was great to finally see the restaurant open.

“It was a huge relief, and we are very excited,” he said.

Hundreds of patrons passed through the tavern during the opening weekend, which included Saturday’s streetscape dedication and Baker’s wedding.

The tavern is open daily until 2 a.m. Kitchen hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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