Sidebar restaurant closes, to reopen elsewhere

The owner of Sidebar in Dayton’s Oregon Historic District said Monday night that the restaurant has closed its current location at 410 E. Fifth St. but will reopen elsewhere in the Dayton area.

The restaurant’s owner, Brian Higgins, said Sidebar was in the process of being evicted by the restaurant’s landlord, Dr. Michael Ervin. Higgins said Ervin is planning for another restaurant to open in Sidebar’s current location. Ervin could not be reached Monday night for comment.

Four months ago, Ervin filed an eviction lawsuit against the restaurant , claiming Sidebar and Higgins owed $34,723 in rent, back rent, late fees, utilities and taxes. That lawsuit, however, was voluntarily dismissed within a week.

Sidebar was picketed Saturday by employees and ex-employees claiming they were not being properly compensated. Higgins said the picketing was prompted in part by his termination of eight or nine employees after an after-hours party inside the restaurant a week ago.

Dan Tierney, spokesman for the Ohio Attorney General’s office, said Monday that Sidebar owes $42,000 in sales taxes and $51,000 in required unemployment compensation payments to the state, dating to early 2012. Higgins on Monday acknowledged the tax arrears, but said he is on a payment plan and has started paying down the debt.

Higgins, who operates a restaurant and bar in Columbus also called Sidebar, said he is “already looking and in negotiations” for another location in the Dayton area to reopen Sidebar.

In Other News

How do you want your signature protected in Ohio?

Here’s how local members of Congress voted on Ukraine aid package

Tipp City school board OKs building closure, delays staff reductions

Trotwood police say they found marijuana, firearms during search of...

Vandalia man wanted on more than 100 charges in child pornography case

About the Author

Mark Fisher

Mark Fisher, a 1981 graduate of Ohio State University and a 1976 graduate of Beavercreek High School, is a third-generation Dayton-area resident who has worked for the Dayton Daily News since 1983. He covered higher education and K-12 education accountability issues for nearly 20 years before taking over the food and dining beat in 2006.