Elmer Kramer opened Kramers on Irving Ave in 1933. Kramers became the place to “tailgate” before UD basketball and football games.
When it was time, Elmer Kramer passed the bar onto his sons Bob and Red. Red, then passed it to his son, Fred. For 55 years, Kramers was solely owned and run by the Kramer family. In 1988 an entrepreneur by the name of Tom Zimmerman joined Fred in order to turn Kramers into the bar it is today. Tom added the pizza oven, simple bar food, and liquor.
Kramers is still family owned, but by a new family- The Gibson’s. When it reopens tomorrow at 11am, it will be Whitney and Brad who run the place. Whitney worked in restaurant when she was in high school and college, prefering the kitchen, where she really enjoyed cutting up vegetables, but admits she made better money as a waitress. She and Brad have been practicing making pizza for the past few weeks, along with doing a deep clean and paint job on on the interior of the building. They’ve retained 5 of the former 6 employees, as well as adding a few more to speed up service.
They menu is still pretty much the same, with pizza as the star. The Gibson’s got the recipe when they bought the business, so you can enjoy the same great pizza in 3 sizes.
Also available salads, sandwiches and more.
Whitney shares she was on a girl’s trip last year and she really enjoyed the local neighborhood eateries they could walk to. Brad was enamored with the lure of a local bar with a following that was a must stop for UD alums when they returned for a visit. So when Kramers became available they just knew that would be their place.
They’ve update the register system and hope to add online ordering. Whitney is looking forward to putting lunch specials on the menu and adding Coke fountain guns, come April. Follow their new facebook page for more updates as they come. Also, did you know you can rent out the front room, which seats about 50, for private parties?
So stop on out and welcome The Gibson’s to the business and tell them Dayton Dining sent you!
Kramers Tavern Dayton
937-294-9141
