Temple, 58, a former construction worker, recently purchased The Jug, the popular drive-in on Central Avenue, from John Ridge, and he has major renovations planned for the 79-year-old local icon.
He hopes to build a climate-controlled inside dining area, a porch on the back of the building, and envisions summertime concerts taking place there. He also hopes to add murals along the wooden fence.
The Jug recently opened and Temple described business “overwhelming.”
Then he added: “God has been amazing.”
But Temple, whom Ridge called “a very religious man,” also has closed the restaurant on Sundays, traditionally one of the two busiest days of the week. Temple said he likes spending Sundays in church and with his family.
“I could either do what man wanted or what God wanted,” he said.
Temple shares his business philosophy with S. Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A, which is closed every Sunday. Thirty years ago, Temple was interested in opening a Chick-fil-A franchise in the Towne Mall, but was told he lacked food business experience. He later managed a McDonald’s and Wendy’s in the Middletown area.
Now he has turned his attention to The Jug.
Ridge said several people were interested in purchasing The Jug, but he was most impressed by Temple’s “passion” for the business.
“He’s the right guy for the right time,” Ridge said.
The Jug’s new owner says owning business 'awesome opportunity’
Six years ago, when the housing market was booming, Tom Temple, like many of us, was living the good life.
His construction business was so prosperous that he bought a house, a truck and trailer, and a used car for his wife, Patricia.
Then, just as quickly, new-house construction stopped faster than Charlie Sheen’s career. Temple, who built 30 fireplaces a week, found his finances up in flames.
“It crashed,” he said.
So Temple started doing odd jobs, anything, that would keep his house out of foreclosure.
“It looked bad,” he said. But he never missed a mortgage payment.
Temple and a friend, Jack Perry, who did construction work for John Ridge, then owner of The Jug, started working together. That’s how Temple and Ridge were introduced.
“God works in funny ways,” he said. “He is amazing.”
One day, Temple inquired about The Jug, the popular Middletown drive-in . He told Ridge he had managed the McDonald’s and Wendy’s in Middletown, and 30 years ago, was interested in opening a Chick-fil-A franchise near the Towne Mall.
Ridge threw a line in the water and asked Temple if he was interested in The Jug. Temple thought he was talking about management, not ownership.
But Ridge helped with the financing, and Temple recently purchased The Jug, which opened for the season on March 12. Ridge, who bought The Jug in 2002, said he couldn’t operate the drive-in and his other businesses — including Java Johnny’s in the adjoining center — at the same time.
One of those most excited about the reopening was Kenny Steele, 43, a car hop for more than 25 years. He’s as well known as The Jug’s hamburgers and root beer.
“This is great,” Steele said between orders. “It feels good to be home.”
Temple, 58, said he considers owning The Jug “an awesome opportunity” because of its long-standing history and connection with the community.
Ironically, even though Temple has spent most of his life in Middletown, he may be one of the few who before had never tasted a Jug burger, a rite of birth in this town.
“I knew they were good,” he said of the burgers covered with chili sauce, onions and pickles. “I could tell by the way people talked about them.”
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