“It is sad, you know everybody and everybody knows you,” said employee Samantha Miller. Co-worker Christi Estes added, “It was the local Cheers.”
Miller and Estes will join about half the estimated 30 employees who are transferring to other locations outside the city.
Those not transferring were offered severance packages, said Regional Manager Jim Ruch.
Ruch said the decision to close was made a few months ago as the lease is expiring on the strip mall location. Ruch said he couldn’t comment as to why the decision was made.
Ruch dispelled the rumor that the BW-3’s by Bridgewater Falls was closing, but added that the company is looking for a new location to build a larger store.
“We are looking at some real estate options, we have a fairly small space there (in Fairfield Twp),” he said. “So we are exploring possibilities if we can find the right real estate opening a larger unit on that side of town.”
As they finished their meals, Hamilton residents Ron and Ann Zupan said they’ll miss not only the place but the people.
“It’s such a nice place,” Ron Zupan said. “The people are always great here, so down-to-earth and personal. I travel a lot so I know.”
Sunday night patron Dennis Richey said he thought the business was doing well, but the closing is typical for the area.
“More jobs lost in Hamilton,” he said.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4525 or dcallahan@coxohio.com.
About the Author