Tavern reopens under new owners

SANDUSKY — The new owners of the Ole Camp Street Tavern want to raise the bar for the establishment's stellar reputation.Business partners Richard Twardzik and Bryan Thom reopened the bar in the 1000 block of Camp St. in September."I'm not sure what people expect when they come here, but then they get inside and see it's clean and cozy," Thom said. "It's got that community bar feel."The Ole Camp Street Tavern originally opened in 2014 after Richard and Edie Kotz spent about $600,000 to remodel the former Camp Street Bar.Their daughter, DeAnna, managed the tavern, but she died in 2017. The tavern closed in January 2019, and it remained empty until it caught Twardzik's eye."I got a call while I was down in Florida that there was this tavern for sale, and it might be a good deal for me," Twardzik said. "The only problem was I didn't know the first thing about running a bar."Richard Twardzik, left, and Bryan Thom, right, went into business together to reopen the Ole Camp Street Tavern in the 1000 block of Camp St.A friend suggested he go into business with Thom, who had experience in the management of bars since he's worked at numerous area bars and was a DJ for 30 years.Thom agreed after he was impressed by the work ethic of Twardzik, an Industrial Nut retiree, who owns a classic car business."Hard work keeps you alive," Twardzik said. "I don't like to feel like inactive.""It's been a labor of love," Thom added.The renovation of the property by the Kotz family meant when Twardzik and Thom got the place, all it needed was a fresh coat of paint and to be cleaned.Thom describes the bar's menu as comfort food and said it's the perfect place to meet with friends, watch a game or just enjoy and drink and a meal."We want to honor what the Kotz did with this place, but, at the same time, we want to make it our own," Thom said.The partners said the reception they've received from the community since opening has been welcoming and warm with many of the bar's old regulars returning.Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterRichard Twardzik and Bryan Thom reopened the Ole Camp Street Tavern in. the 1000 block of Camp St. in Sandusky.Patrons of the newly reopened Ole Camp Street Tavern enjoy a drink on Thursday, Nov. 21.Richard Twardzik and Bryan Thom reopened the Ole Camp Street Tavern in. the 1000 block of Camp St.