January 7, 2017 at 6:36 a.m.

Thienman’s Sports Bar getting new ownership


By Nathan Rubbelke-

For 20 years, Thienman’s Sports Bar & Grill has served as a second home for owner Mike Thienman.

“They say it’s a home away from home. It’s true,” Thienman said. “I mean, I’ve had my family’s pictures hanging up here. I still got some of my girls’ pictures here, which I’ll take down.”

Those pictures will come down, because after two decades, the bar will have new ownership beginning Wednesday.

Thienman said his family had plans to sell the bar next year, but was approached by new owner Tom Will about selling it.

The move comes as Thienman’s family has expanded. In recent years, Thienman and his wife Sue’s eldest two daughters have married and started families of their own.

“The girls are really a big part of this business and now I don’t want the business to interfere with their family lives. So, I figured it was time to get rid of this,” he said.

For Thienman, the bar has been more than a place to serve drinks or food over the years. It’s also been place to see young patrons grow up.

“What’s neat is the kids that started in here, to see them come in with their kids,” he said.

And running the bar has allowed Thienman to forge friendships. He’ll especially miss hanging out with the lunch and breakfast crowds.

“It’s like a beauty shop without hair dryers. It’s a lot of gossip. It’s a lot of BS,” Thienman joked of the atmosphere.

But for the next couple weeks, Thienman isn’t going anywhere as he’ll stick around to help with the transition.

He said patrons can expect few changes with the new leadership. However, with new ownership will come a new name: Brick Street Tavern.

The bar’s football allegiance will change too, from the Cleveland Browns to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Thienman said Stacy Link, who has worked at restaurant periodically in the past four years, will take over operations.

“She has a great personality to keep people in here and keep people happy. She know what it takes,” said Thienman.

While he’s leaving the restaurant business, Thienman isn’t planning for retirement. He intends on finding a new job.

“I will do something else. I have to do something else,” he said.

The Fort Recovery native plans on returning to the bar one day, as a customer.

“I’m a home boy. I bleed purple. I’m not planning on going anywhere,” he said.
PORTLAND WEATHER

Events

November

SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
27 28 29 30 31 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30

To Submit an Event Sign in first

Today's Events

No calendar events have been scheduled for today.

250 X 250 AD