A free standing building, Arnie's, opened on 7/11/1980. Ten months earlier, the building that stood under condemnation by the City of Toledo, with only a roof, a floor, and walls that were filled with huge openings where once doors and windows had invited guests for a franchise burger and fries, was transformed into a West Toledo Tradition.
Arnie had an idea for a neighborhood, up-scale, female friendly, Tavern that could draw business from every segment of West Toledo life style. Lunches: from businesses and shoppers, Happy Hour and early Dinners: from the immediate neighborhood and followers of the local University Spots and other Special events. With full food service till 1:00am, one could always get something to eat. He designed the bar to fill the entire center of the room with a row of booths on each side. This made all the guests to be sitting or standing at the same eye level. Everyone could see everyone else in the room and be seen by everyone else! The crowds love this!
Arnie had learned the fundamentals of the Hospitality Industry by hands-on training from the Virgin Islands to Settle. His love for food and eye for trends has been a basis for the years of success. Arnie was the very first to serve Chicken Wings in Ohio; Potato skins were an immediate hit. Over the years, Arnie's has received special recognition as the "Best in N.W. Ohio...Bar Food, Reuben, Sports Bar, Chili, place to Watch Spots and Place to be Seen.
In order to take a frame of a building and turn it into a "hot" spot, took a vision and trust that was hard to find with most investors. But because of the physical and mental training it took to play College sports, Arnie took that challenge. Most people, who "knew" the business, kept many investors away - secondary lot location, no on street signage, closed business for ten years, which was slated to be torn down. Etc. But in the end, a group was put together with one thing in common. All knew what it took to succeed in college sports - to be the best. Hard work and long hours soon paid off.
On 3/17/1990, Arnie's opened the "Press Box". Built next to the original building, the 2,300 sq. ft room made Arnie's famous for Sports Bars. All the seating was in a layered, speaker at each table, motif. Six satellites kept the 4 huge and 14 TV's always busy with Sports from around the world.
Because of a great staff, Arnie was allowed to put a lot of time and effort into helping to ease the regulations and other financial pressures forced on the industry. His efforts have been widely recognized. Life Time Achievement Award from the State of Ohio Restaurant Association and the Proprietor of the Year Award from the State of Ohio Licensed Beverage Association are just some of his accolades.
While fighting for local and state Smoking Ban Regulations, Arnie's was hit the hardest. People only had to travel five minutes to enjoy a legal product. This eventually took its tool. Arnie's was forced to close because of his health and other problems. Arnie's was adopted and reopened in January 2008 - Striving to be the Best in West Toledo and N.W. Ohio. |
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