The Franklinton bar formerly known as Three Deuces is being reborn tonight as Rehab Tavern. Significant renovations have been made to the building, but the new owners have taken special care to preserve as much of the character of the building, while paying tribute to the character of the neighborhood.
“When we first came in we started calling people we knew to find salvaged goods,” says Rehab Owner Brad DeHays. “We wanted to do something unique, and seeing as we own a construction company, this is exactly what we do. We rehab a lot of historic buildings.”
Many pieces and parts of the old bar have been reused in new ways, such as shattered mirrors that have been clear coated for displaying behind the bar and old chairs and barstools that have gotten a fresh life after sanding down and resurfacing. Much of the new woodwork in Rehab comes from a deconstructed barn from southern Ohio, providing 120 year old wood beams with original nails covering walls, framing the patio and being included in the bartop itself.
With so many historic items coated in resin, DeHays describes the venue as a polished and preserved dive bar. They hope to attract a wide variety of customers that can appreciate a good draft and bottled beer selection, a limited menu featuring wings and paninis, and entertainment options that include a pool table, dart board and golf arcade system.
“I’m going to invite every person I do business with from all different walks of life,” said DeHayes. “Hopefully once they’re down here they start drinking the Franklinton kool-aid a little bit and start realizing it’s actually safe down here. That’s the hardest thing to get through people’s heads if they haven’t been to Franklinton recently.”
Rehab Tavern is hosting a soft opening tonight and will continue to be open through next week when they kick off with an official grand opening party on Friday, December 14th.
“That should give us time to cut our teeth a little bit,” said DeHayes. “By the time this neighborhood gets built back up again, we want to become know as the neighborhood bar. In the meantime, we just want a bunch of people to come in and check it out.”
CLICK HERE to view a photo preview of Rehab Tavern.
More information can be found online at www.rehabtavern.com.