Since 1939, the building has housed a Kroger grocery store, Lewis Drugs and, most recently, a cabinet-making business. Frame and Maupin purchased the building in May and have worked 60 hours a week demolishing the interior, then converting the space into a bar large enough for dart players and bar patrons, they said.
“We created a comfortable environment for the darters,” Maupin said.
The dart boards are connected to the Internet so players can throw against anyone in the world. Each board also is connected to a TV overhead on the wall so patrons can watch live scoring without interfering with the darters, Maupin said.
Frame said opening a dart bar has “created quite a buzz” in the dart community. He has heard from darters from Cincinnati and Dayton, which makes Middletown the perfect location, he said.
The sports bar features seating for 92 people — 68 inside and 24 on the patio — two pool tables, a variety of draft and bottled beers, liquor and Keno.
The owners also noted their association with Combs BBQ, which is located next door. They have an agreement to allow their customers to order food from Combs and have it delivered, and customers at Combs are welcome to eat in the bar. A doorway will be built between the two businesses.
Maupin said that partnership was “key” because of the restaurant’s reputation. Maupin said he and Frame don’t have restaurant experience and they didn’t want the expense of opening a kitchen.
“We want to be a bar with food,” said Maupin, who has owned The WELL at 4371 Dixie Highway in Middletown for nearly six years. “Not a restaurant with a bar.”
Chris Combs, owner of Combs BBQ, called it a “great relationship” between the two downtown businesses.
Besides Frame and Maupin, there are four employees, including Jacki Horton, a longtime bartender and Frame’s girlfriend.
There are several unique features in the bar. The top of the bar is covered with pennies, all dated 2018. There also are wireless phone chargers on the bar and USB ports.
They believe being located in a neighborhood also will increase business. They have heard from residents who said they were looking for a bar to open because they don’t like driving out of town.
NAME: Central House of Brews
ADDRESS: 2213 Central Ave., Middletown
PHONE NUMBER: 513-915-7846
HOURS: 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. every day
FEATURES: 4,400-square-foot business includes seven dart boards, two pool tables, 24 draft beers, 150 bottled beers, liquor and food available from Combs BBQ, located next door
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