Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Gill.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My brothers and I had been going to the Oak for years when the previous owner told us he was selling. We told him we were interested and the next thing we knew we were sitting down with attorneys. We liked that the bar already had an established brand; neighborhood bar, great subs, and cheap prices. We wanted to build on this brand and grow the business by targeting our neighbors in Clintonville. Seventeen years later and we are still going strong and have expanded almost every aspect of the business. We are proud to be a part of the Clintonville community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We were a beer-only bar when we started and went door to door to get signatures to put a liquor option on the local ballot. Ultimately, we were successful and now have a full-service bar. We built the patio ourselves with the help of some regulars with sledgehammers one weekend. One of our regulars was a stone mason and well, you check out the results. We’ve had to replace every piece of equipment and furniture over the years, it seems like something is always broken. By far the mandatory closing during the pandemic was our biggest challenge and we almost didn’t make it. But with grit, and endurance we made it (along with the help of a PPP loan😀)
We’ve been impressed with India Oak Grill, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a classic neighborhood dive bar. We are well known for our Italian sub which we would argue is the best in town. We have great inexpensive food and drinks. You can enjoy free live music on weekends from local bands or sit out on the patio and enjoy the sun. We have a great staff, great regulars, and an upbeat neighborhood family bar atmosphere. We are kid-friendly and welcome dogs on our patio. We make homemade soup and chili available every day. We have a great happy hour and drink menu.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My brothers and I loaded into the back of the family station wagon and went to Cedar Point with mom and dad.
Pricing:
- Happy Hour domestic beer $2.00
- Homemade soup or Chili $6.00
- Italian sub $10.00
- Cheeseburger $6.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://indiaoakgrill.com/
- Instagram: indiaoak_grill
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndiaOakBarandGrill/
