Jen Dean

As Jennifer Dean and Forrest Williams near completion on their new downtown Mudlick Tap House, the days are numbered for the original Germantown location.  The couple announce yesterday via their Facebook page.

The original Germantown Taphouse

The 46 seats Germantown location, which originally was conceived as just a tap house with some light appetizers ,quickly grew into a full restaurant serving dinners, then Saturday brunch was added and with the addition of Executive Chef Chris Coherd it transitioned into a scratch kitchen.  They then brought on  sous chef Zackary Weiner giving them a double dose of strength and experience in the back of the house.

As the popularity of the eatery grew, the search began for a larger place.  At one point they were set on a Springboro location, when the old Max & Erma’s closed.  But then, the downtown space became available and that just felt right.  They signed a lease this winter and began remodeling the old Aquarius Dance Club into a restaurant.

Jeremy from Jett’s Creek Woodworking is creating a beautiful facade for the structures downtown.

They’ve spent the winter totally redoing the feel of the restaurant, located at 135 E. Second Street, changing the bar layout and refacing the bar to give it a rustic tap house feel.  Much of the decor from the Germantown bar will make its way downtown, Jen shared with us.

The taphouse will be open seven days a weeks, brining their boozy brunches and popular bloody mary bar with them for Saturday and Sunday.   Craft beer, classic cocktails, and hearty meals will be what Mudlick Taphouse will offer to the downtown audience.

The kitchen is being worked on  as you read this, and the electrical inspection is the next thing that needs to happen for the install to be complete.   Staff from the Germantown location are moving downtown and additional hires have been completed and training will begin at the end of the month, with an expected opening to happen by the middle of June.   With a bigger kitchen, the menu will expand at the new location, with a wider selection of sandwiches and entrees being offered.

The restaurant will truly be a family business with Jen and Forrest at the helm and their son Riley, who attends UD working a couple of nights a week.  They’ve decided to make The Food Bank their charity of choice, and are still working on plans for how they’ll make giving back a part of the business.

So stay tuned for more information on the new Mudlick Tap House…