For Ken Bogucki, executive chef and general manager, The Wooster Inn has been a place he can call his home. For the past six years, while working at the Inn, Bogucki has gotten to know most of the people that have stayed or dined there, and even parents that come to watch their childís graduation.
Now, the community can enjoy The Innís newest addition: The Wooster Inn Pub. Sept. 11 marked The Pubís grand opening. ìWe had a few soft openings before to work out a few kinks,” said Bogucki.
The Pub is situated downstairs in The Inn and replaced the Tartan Room, which was previously used for meetings and dinners.
The Pub is a casual setting. It is the second diner in the building. The Pub is air-conditioned, so it is year-round, unlike the summertime gathering of Party on the Patio, which starts in May and ends in the middle of September. ìDue to the change in weather and the start of football season at The College, business slows down around that time,” said Bogucki, who created Party on the Patio five years after The Inn got its liquor license.
Every Friday from 4-7 p.m. is Party on the Pub until The Inn goes back to Party on the Patio in May. There is a $6 cover charge. This provides hors díouvres and customersí first beverage.
In a separate room is The Pub Library. It is situated across from The Pub. ìThe library is used for overflow of people from the Pub, reserved gatherings and Christmas parties firms have. There are no books in the Library but murals of books. Actual books would knock off about a foot and a half of space on each side,” said Bogucki.
The Library room is available for meetings. It seats about 24 persons and has a 50-inch plasma television. There are outlets to connect your computer to the television, so there is no need for a projector for presentations. Reservations for private group and business meetings can be made at the front desk of The Inn. Conveniently, there is also wireless internet in the Pub and the Pub Library.
The Pub seats about 42 persons and also has a 52-inch and two 42-inch televisions. At a studentís suggestion, it now has about 15 new soccer game stations. ìAll the televisions have high definition feeds for all the channels especially for watching Ohio sports, ESPN, ESPN2 and other channels. You can even watch Argentine Soccer Highlights,” said Bogucki. In total, the televisions and high definition cable and extra channels cost around $12,000.
There are different features every night. Tuesday and Thursday are College of Wooster nights. Students, faculty and staff only have to present their COW cards to get a 14 ounce steak dinner for $9.99. Tuesday also has a $5 all-you-can-eat slider burgers. Wednesday has a sushi assortment for $5. You get five pieces: two California rolls, two spicy tuna rolls and a veggie roll. Thurday has stewed mussels in wine broth for $3. Friday is Happy Hour. The Pub opens on Saturday at 11a.m. for lunch. Patrons can tailgate and watch college football games. Sundays, besides from eating in The Pub, patrons also have access to the patio if they want to eat outside at noon.
The Pub menu has tasty starters and entrees. Calamari, beer battered onion rings, grilled mushroom cabbonara pizza, the vegetarian panini, tomato caprese and pecan crusted chicken are just a few listed on the menu. The price range is from $6-$12 per plate, not including College specials.
From the tap, The Pub beer listings include 12 ounces or a pint of Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Thirsty Dog Barkofest and Heavy Seas Loose Cannon to name a few. The prices range from $4-$5 for a pint and $3.50-$4.50 for a 12 ounce.
Other bottled brew offerings are Stella Artois, Budweiser, Heineken, Michelob Ultra, a variety of Great Lakes, Amstel Light and G. Schneider & Sohn Aventinus to name a few. The prices range from $3-$7. The Pub also has house brand and premium liquors like Jack Daniels, Grey Gooses and Bacardi to name a few. Wine, soft drinks, juices and mixed drinks are also served.
Customers under the drinking age can enjoy The Pubís food, non-alcholic drinks and commodities. Patrons are allowed to drink in The Library.
Construction of both The Pub and Libary took six weeks to complete. ìIn college terms, this is a very short time,” says Bogucki.
ìSo far, The Pub is about 50 percent over where I projected sales would be. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday are our best days, but Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are doing well also.
The Wooster Inn is unique for the campus, residential neighborhood, students and faculty. It is conveniently within walking distance of the College. ìThe Inn has become a bridge between the community and the College. It would be nice if the College bonded with the community,” says Bogucki.