ASHLAND – With the cut of a ribbon Monday morning, the new Buffalo Wild Wings on East Main Street opened for business, greeting guests with its larger space and more TV screens.
“We’re very excited for today and anxious to see what the impact is going to be,” franchise owner Ken Brown said after the ribbon cutting.
Brown said the restaurant played host to some VIPs over the weekend, giving employees the chance to test out with actual guests what they had learned during a week of training in the new location.
“It went really well. We had a hard time getting people to leave,” Brown said with a laugh.
The new Buffalo Wild Wings is 7,300 square feet and features seating for 284 including an outdoor patio that seats 28 and an indoor/outdoor patio seats 84. With 64 viewing screens, the new location has plenty of chances for its guests to enjoy a variety of sporting events while enjoying Buffalo Wild Wings’ menu of wings, burgers, wraps, salads and appetizers.
The Claremont Avenue location was 4,000 square feet with seating for 154 and 28 viewing screens. Brown said Buffalo Wild Wings had outgrown the site and he is excited to see what will happen with the new, larger site.
The new restaurant design, nicknamed “Stadia” by the chain, is made to feel like a stadium, with a “jumbotron” in the center of the restaurant over the horseshoe-shaped bar and the other viewing screens spread around the restaurant.
Adding to the sports stadium feel are the sports memorabilia displayed throughout the restaurant, including jerseys from LeBron James, Archie Griffin, Jim Thome and other Ohio athletes.
“You’ve always been a great pillar and a supporter in our community. We are so delighted to have a new store here for everyone here in town and everyone who we hope visits Ashland from Route 71 and around the world,” said Aaron Bates, president of the Board of the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce.
Representatives from Gov. John Kasich and U.S. Rep Bob Gibbs also presented Brown with certificates and thanked him for his work and investment in the community.
The Claremont Avenue location closed at the end of business on Dec. 4, ending more than two decades of serving burgers and wings at that site.
Brown opened the Claremont Avenue location in April 1995 and he now owns six other Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants in Wooster, Ontario, Canton, Mentor, Willoughby and Avon Lake.
