Joseph’s 1818 seeks to continue Rider legacy in Painesville
Published by: The News-Herald
Original article found here
After experiencing more than 200 years of Painesville history and many leadership changes, the building known in the near past as Rider’s Inn recently welcomed its newest establishment. Joseph’s 1818 Public House and Tavern and Historic Rider’s Hostelry celebrated a grand opening at 792 Mentor Ave. on April 22.
Partner Leonard Merriman described the restaurant’s fare as “basic tavern food.” There are daily specials.
The business also advertises a scratch-made kitchen, bed and breakfast stays in the historic inn, private events and parties, live music, weekly events, catering, group dining and paranormal and overnight experiences.
He said the new ownership worked on the kitchen, dining room and rental rooms. He has plans to work on the outside too, but that process is different because of the building’s historic status.
“I want to try to bring it back to more of its original look,” Merriman said. Painesville City Council President Jim Fodor also reflected on the building’s history during the grand opening. He said that during the building’s heyday, “probably when Route 20 was the main thoroughfare from Buffalo to Cleveland,” it was a key stop on Mentor Avenue.
“It’s really exciting for the city to bring this back,” Fodor said. “You know, you kind of go in cycles and things don’t go quite well for a while, and then things start going well. Well, we’re on the uphill again, and it’s great to see 1818 come alive again and be vibrant.”
That history was also represented by minority partner Bill Sawyer, who described himself as a fifth-generation descendant of Joseph Rider.
Sawyer said that Rider arrived in the area from Willington, Connecticut. He said that Rider’s Mentor Avenue structure opened to the public in 1818.
He added that Rider’s son Zerah Rider also ran the tavern, when the site “was a busy stop during the heavy pioneer migration days.” Zerah Rider’s son Zerah P. Rider made the tavern a private home before it was sold to the Randall Tavern around 1922, Sawyer said.
Sawyer’s grandmother, Nellie, was born in the structure.
“Kind of neat to come back and be able to contribute and put a little color to some of the stuff that they, that my grandmother was able to dig up, and then other research that we’ve done to substantiate some of the stories,” he said.
Merriman is looking to continue that history.
“We’re just hoping to keep it going for another one or two hundred years,” he said.
Joseph’s 1818 Public House and Tavern
792 Mentor Ave., Painesville
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. Merriman said the restaurant is closed on Mondays until the remodeling is complete.
Info: Joseph’s 1818 Public House and Tavern on Facebook or 440-551-9416. The restaurant is also working on a website at jph1818.com. The website for Historic Rider’s Hostelry is stayohio.org and the phone number for reservations is 440-551-9516.