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Friday, 17 July 2009 |
By KATIE YANTIS
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — Local residents are raising questions about a closed door at a local restaurant.
The Knotty Pine Restaurant recently closed its doors without leaving a sign. Co-Owner Ted Hertenstein told The Evening Leader the closure will be temporary.
"The decision to close was for restructuring and we will open back up in the fall," Hertenstein said. "I didn't really want to close either."
Hertenstein also said the restaurant will be receiving a permit to serve beer, a factor he said played a big part in the lack of business in the spring months.
"We are going to end up getting the beer license now," Hertenstein said. "I should know more about that Monday. When we secure the beer license, we will be having lunch specials and we will be hiring some more people, but how much depends on the beer license."
He said he had heard from people in the community that the eatery needed to secure a beer permit.
"I had lots of friends that have been doing business in this town for a long time, so many people were telling me we had to get the beer license," he said.
"And it's true, we were dead at 8 p.m. So now they can get with their friends, watch a game on the big screen and enjoy a nice cold refreshing beer."
Some other changes that will be made when doors re-open in the fall will be the addition of a buffet table.
"We will have a buffet table to do lunches a lot faster and (we are) really changing some things up," Hertenstein said. "People can come in eat off the buffet and get back to work. Since everything is handmade it took longer, having it done fresh."
He also said there will be additional features added to the store when it opens back up.
"We are working with some people right now, we want to be doing wine tasting events, maybe once a week and feature Ohio wineries, maybe have different theme nights," Hertenstein said. "When we get the beer license, maybe even do some beer tasting."
He plans to add theme nights such as "Hot wings and NASCAR night" might be held as well. Hertenstein said he hopes to have Knotty Pine open by the first St. Marys home football game — Sept. 9.
"We want to be open by the first home game," Hertenstein said. "We don't know if we will do the Chicken Bowl, but somewhere around the third week of August."
Hertenstein invited local residents to come back when the restaurant re-opens with the changes.
"We hope everyone comes back out and hopefully the Knotty is here to stay," Hertenstein said. "Hang in there, the economy is going to get better." |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 01 September 2009 )
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