If Lorain County had a bar that would remind one of the legendary television show “Cheers,” it just may be Cedar Pub nestled on the corner of Church Street and Park Avenue in downtown Amherst.
And this pub has seen a number of changes since it was developed more than 100 years ago when it began life as The German Bank and later the Lorain County Security and Trust.
The original vault, bank counter and marble bank floor remain and are in immaculate condition.
Owned by Pam Kreger, who soon will turn over the operations to her sons Ryan and Chazz, Cedar Pub is a 43-year-old institution in a town surrounded by restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
Kreger smiles thinking how she’s seen many come and go, trends start and die off, and significant changes to the bar and nightclub industry in her years at the pub.
When it first became a bar, it was called Marble Manor.
Her husband’s grandparents purchased the bar and ran it successfully for nearly 10 years before Kreger’s husband, who recently died, purchased the bar in 1980 and gave birth to Cedar Pub.
“There’s so much still in here that was originally done in 1980 when we first opened,” Kreger said proudly. “My husband, for some reason, was into octagons when we did the initial remodel, and that’s when those now iconic windows were created.
“He put in all the trim and woodwork you see. It’s these touches that make the pub feel so warm and cozy and inviting, and why we’re really known as that gathering place for folks.”
Quaintness
What one notices upon immediately entering the quaint bar is how clean it is.
The pink marble floors polished, the spacious and beautiful barrel tables lining the room and the extended long bar sitting dozens of patrons.
Globe beer lights surround the space, giving it a soft warm glow, complimented by Cedar Pub-branded stained glass lights at the entry and behind the bar.
The space smells fresh and clean, the tables and bar spotless and the bathrooms are meticulously kept.
Televisions throughout tuned to the hot sports channel, but the atmosphere is not loud, making it the perfect location for a great conversation over a great cocktail, Kreger explained.
The business offers four taps of popular beers, rotating one to offer more seasonal beers.
A fully stocked bar with wine, spirits and other libations is offered.
“Sometimes, you just want a cozy little place you can go with a friend or colleague, enjoy a drink and talk and laugh and share stories,” Kreger said. “That’s what we see a lot of.
“So many folks come in after work, you have business people talking with one another,” she added.” You have the ladies that come in and have a glass of wine and talk. It’s a great place to sit and talk or watch a game or even play a game or two.
“And folks just want a good drink at a good price and really great service. We’re a family-run bar and have been for decades and hopefully for decades yet to come.”
Cedar Pub has dart leagues and pool leagues, and proudly displays a wall of plaques and trophies for winners.
It offers Keno and features an iTunes jukebox.
Kreger laughs as she brags about their food selection, which includes a jar of Slim Jims and a canister of Planter’s Peanuts in small bags, along with a selection of chips, pretzels and popcorn.
The pub doesn’t serve food and, in fact, never has in its 43 years of operation, Kreger explained.
She actually credits that fact as part of the longevity of the neighborhood bar.
“It’s just so much extra to have to have and serve food,” Kreger explained. “The licensing, the inventory, the training, the staff — it’s just so much more to worry about.
“We certainly allow folks to bring in their own food and order from any of our great local establishments,” she added. “We even have their menus here. But, we always wanted to focus on drinks and conversation and fun, and that’s been our offering since the beginning and what folks now about us.
“We see more folks enjoying mixed drinks and whiskey now than in the past, as tastes have changed. We certainly still sell a lot of beer, although our seltzers and other drinks routinely outsell those. Whiskey is definitely more popular than ever.”
Passing the torch
Kreger says that after working in and being part of Cedar Pub for 43 years, the next couple of years are designed to be her last as she turns the reins over to her adult sons, both in their early 30s.
She explained that both Chazz and Ryan essentially grew up in the bar and have been working there since their teens doing the glamorous jobs of cleaning restrooms, scrubbing floors, washing glasses and running ice.
Both brothers said they are looking forward to running the bar, but patrons shouldn’t expect big changes.
“We try to operate on a keep-it-simple-stupid method,” Chazz laughed. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
“We’ve seen so many trends and so many fads and so many things come and go. People know what to expect here and that’s what they like. We like to keep it traditional — we’re old school. It should be fun; it’s a bar.
“I enjoy it and the people are great. I know there’s a lot of new things we’ll have to learn and certainly the business side is different than the bartending side, but it’s great working with my brother.”
