It has already been a year since A Taste of Ohio Wine Bourbon & Beer introduced Zanesville to their trendy yet timeless lounge that offers a social environment unlike any other. To celebrate, owners Kenneth and Tessa Dickinson and Joseph and Angela Bailey have planned a weekend of events to thank existing customers and welcome new faces.
“Just reflecting back, we are very, very, very, very, extremely thankful to the community and our customers,” said co-owner Tessa Dickinson. “So, with this one-year anniversary, we want to celebrate our business, but we also want to do customer appreciation and show our appreciation for our customers and community, and also, you know, we relate to small businesses, and so we know what that takes to run a small business. So, we want to kind of put a spotlight on and support other small businesses on that Friday night.”
On Friday, June 6, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., there will be a Small Business Celebration featuring a live performance by Dr. Laura Schuman. Tables will be set up in the back alley. This is a great free way for businesses to get the word out about their business. Nearly two dozen businesses have already signed up to be there including: Creations by Shaunessa, Crafty Neathers Baked Goods, Blush Nails & Spa, Not Your Waifu Designs, Elite Party Service LLC, Pearls & Bling, Grace & Pearls Beauty, Max Knight Forever Young Photo Booth, A Girl And A Brush, Gloss & Spark, Hive & Wick Co., Red Bud Candle Company, She Delivers, V&V Learning Center, The Purple Elephant, Pretty Mama Trucker, Maria Alise Jewelry, Scentsy by Cassandra, Veterans Appreciation Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Sisterz, Sipz, & Sweetz, and Foodworks Alliance.
Then on Saturday, June 7, A Customer Appreciation Block Party will take place with DJ Gary Lee out back from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hamburgers and hot dog meals will be on the menu, and games and giveaways will be held throughout the evening.
“I think it’s just an experience, and people really seem to relax, unwind, and enjoy themselves,” explained Dickinson. “We also see a lot of camaraderie between the customers. So, you’ll see some of our regular customers helping new customers or, you know, people sitting together that maybe didn’t come in together, but they’re all sharing the same space and hanging out.”
There are inviting spaces throughout that lend themselves to small to larger group gatherings and would work perfectly for anything from a relaxing pit stop after work, a place to bring a new book to read while grabbing a bite to eat, a hang out with friends over some competitive games and a few drinks, or stop in and help to complete the ongoing jigsaw puzzle.
Additionally, there are upstairs spaces that are available to rent.
“We want everybody to feel welcome here. There is something for everybody from the time you come in to the time you leave. It’s a safe space. It’s, you know, just inviting,” Dickerson explained. “And also, it’s 21 and over, but we have something for everybody, something for everyone 21 and over. It’s not just about alcohol. We do serve fountain drinks. We serve mocktails. We have non-alcoholic beer. We don’t want people to think that you have to drink to come in here and have fun.”
A lot has changed since their opening day, like the addition of the patio space out back and the indoor-outdoor area with a dart board and over overhead garage door to open the room up to the outside on warm days. A humidor housing cigars has also been added.
“Our menu has changed drastically over the past year,” said Dickinson. “I think over the past year, what we didn’t maybe anticipate or plan or foresee in the beginning was how many events and private parties that we do here. We’ve had bridal showers, graduation parties, and birthday parties. We’ve hosted weddings here. We’ve done corporate events here. So, that was something I think that has really grown throughout the year.”
The updated menu includes a nice selection of appetizers, ranging from a small or large Charcuterie Board to Pepperoni or Meatball Pizza Bombs, just to name a couple. Then there are the Handhelds, Spicy Birria Tacos made with brisket, Pulled Chicken Sandwich, Italian or Pizza Subs, a Dill Pickle Sandwich, and more! There are also salads and soups, and pizzas. For dessert, you have your choice of a few indulgences such as the Chocolate Brownie à la Mode and either a Bourbon or Strawberry Cheesecake. Of course, one of the main draws is the self-serve machines with Ohio-made beer, bourbon, and wine. In addition, you can also order a soda, a mocktail, a wine slushy, and other drinks.
“One thing that stands out to me, there was a very surreal moment,” said Dickinson. “We had the doors open for First Friday Night Art Walk because we also have runners upstairs. So, we did a display of our machines where people could get a card and, you know, just practice on it. It was just a display before we ever opened. And so, the first people that came in to do that, they visited us not too long ago for the first time. So, that was a full circle moment to see, remind us of, you know, how, where we started and how far it has come along.”
A Taste of Ohio Wine Bourbon & Beer is located at 524 Main St, Downtown Zanesville and is open Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4 to 11 p.m. You can follow them on Facebook and Instagram. For more information visit atasteofohiowbb.com.
