August 27, 2008

Downtown Delaware Offers New Attractions
Hoggy’s, B.Cause Boutique among summer’s changes…

Hoggy’s Restaurant and Catering opened August 20 at 13 W. William St. in the location of the former Brown Jug.

Photo by Cole Hatcher

Just like the OWU campus, downtown Delaware also underwent its share of changes over the summer.

Perhaps the biggest news is that after 62 years in business, the historic Brown Jug Restaurant closed in July. Taking its place at 13 W. William St. is Hoggy’s Restaurant and Catering, a central Ohio barbecue chain that boasts OWU alumnus Ken Smith ’77 as one of its founders.

Hoggy’s opened August 20, offering applewood-smoked pork, beef, ribs, and chicken along with salads, fish, soups, steaks, and desserts. General manager Desiree Lajoie describes the cuisine as “southern-inspired with a Hoggy’s twist.”

With an eye toward preserving the history of the Brown Jug, Hoggy’s did a little remodeling but kept much of the horse-race memorabilia. The biggest change involves the outdoor patio, which now features an island bar and double-sided stone fireplace. Hoggy’s also has added flat-screen televisions and more windows in its indoor dining room to catch the light.

Lajoie says the restaurant plans to add live music and college nights down the line. Hoggy’s opens daily at 11 a.m. and is open until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 p.m. Sunday. OWU students are able to use their off-campus dining points at Hoggy’s.

Students also can use off-campus dining points at Amato’s Woodfired Pizza to Go, 8 S. Sandusky St.; Mean Bean Caffeine Lounge, 2 N. Sandusky St.; Ollie’s Fine Ice Cream, 19 S. Franklin St.; and Subway of Delaware, 16 S. Sandusky St.

Just around the corner from Hoggy’s, another new restaurant is preparing to open its doors. The 12 South Deli is moving into 12 S. Sandusky St. and expects to make its debut in late September.

Co-owner and operator Michelle Platt said the new deli will feature fresh bread, sliced meats and cheeses, as well sandwiches, salads, bottled soda, ice cream, and fresh-made soups when the weather turns colder.

Platt says all of the deli’s sandwiches will be made to order, with patrons filling out slips indicating exactly what they want. “We think people will like this build-your-own style,” she says. “And we’re going to have really soft, fresh bread. We want to make the kind of sandwiches that your mother would make.”

When it opens next month, The 12 South Deli will open daily at lunchtime Monday through Saturday. It will close from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and then re-open for dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturdays, it will remain open all day. The deli will be closed Sundays.

As visitors stroll north from the deli, they’ll notice that B.Cause Boutique has opened at 29 N. Sandusky St. The shop offers many earth-friendly items and chooses a different charity each month to receive a portion of its proceeds.

“That’s where the name ‘B.Cause Boutique’ comes in,” owner Susie Crum says. “It’s about the cause.”

Charities that already have benefitted from B.Cause Boutique include Delaware’s Relay for Life and the Community Kitchen in Columbus. August’s charity is Delaware’s People In Need.

Crum says she is excited about the number of recycled and earth-friendly products coming on the market. She’s recently added school supplies to the wide variety of home decorating items, clothing, and jewelry that she sells. The school supplies include recycled pens and pencil-style highlighters.

B.Cause Boutique is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday and Monday.

Another change to downtown Delaware is the anticipated relocation of the Nectar Candyland, known for its delicious English toffee, chocolate-covered cherries, and ooey-gooey turtles. Previously located at 23 N. Sandusky St., the store has announced plans to move in conjunction with the sale of its current building.

Finally, over on Winter Street, the Strand Theatre continues to undergo exciting changes as part of long-term plans to refurbish the historic theatre and create a downtown cultural arts district.

During the summer, the theatre’s concession stand was moved to create a more spacious lobby. In addition, with the closing of the nearby Movies 5 at Delaware Square, the Strand has access to even more first-run films. Cost of admission at the Strand is $4 for students with a valid OWU ID. Students also can use the Bishop Bucks at the theatre.

– Cole Hatcher