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photo by Jessica St. James
Mary and Larry Gilmore, owners of Boomer’s Sports Bar located on South Third Street in Ironton, have the business ready for customers.
What a Blast!
Boomer’s Sports Bar ‘explodes’ into Ironton
Published Monday, July 6, 2009
IRONTON — There was never any doubt what Larry Gilmore was going to name his bar.
Spending his entire career in explosives and owning Georgia-based Controlled Blasting, Inc., Gilmore wanted to share his passion with his customers. And what a passion that is.
Boomer’s Sports Bar is open for business and does it have the conversation pieces. “Boomer” has also been Gilmore’s nickname for most of his blasting career.
The bar, which opened May 26, could pass as its own museum documenting the history of explosives and controlled blasting. From the blasting caps, warning signs and blasting machines scattered behind the bar and on the walls, to the old empty dynamite boxes above the bar, Boomer’s displays Gilmore’s career love.
There is even a bust of Alfred Nobel perched high above the bar observing every patron entering. Nobel invented dynamite in 1866.
“Opening this bar has allowed me to display my lifelong work,” Gilmore said while showing the variety of blasting charges he has on display. Gilmore is an Ironton native and an Ironton High School graduate.
Located at 1123 S. Third St., the nearly 2,500 square-foot-bar is situated on the outskirts of downtown Ironton. Besides the main bar with its black and gray motif, Boomer’s contains a self-contained back room for parties and a spacious patio in the rear with room for a grill and cornhole games.
The bar is managed by Gilmore’s wife Mary, who brings more than 26 years of bar and restaurant experience to Boomer’s. Patrons are served by Boomer’s all-female staff.
Gilmore knows he has the right person running the place.
“I wanted to make and give something better to Ironton,” Gilmore explained on why he bought and totally rebuilt the building Boomer’s calls home. “I wanted something that my wife could call her own and be her own entrepreneur. She has the ability to make this business go to the top.”
Music is piped in through a digital jukebox and four flat-screen televisions are situated in key areas of the bar. Amenities include a pool table, Silver Strike bowling machine, Megatouch video game and seating for 18 at the bar, along with tables spaced evenly throughout the facility.
Boomer’s offers specials every day of the week including karaoke on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Wednesdays are also service industry appreciation night with 99-cent margaritas and 99-cent domestic drafts.
Thursdays are “Thirsty Thursdays” where customers can take advantage of $2.75 well drinks and $1.75 domestic bottles and drafts.
Happy Hour is from 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Boomer’s has a limited menu including its signature cheeseburger. All food is made to order and is priced between $2.50 and $5 including a side. Not forgetting tradition, the bar also has pickled eggs and pickled sausage available at the bar.
Boomer’s is open Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Friday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Boomer’s is closed on Sundays.
Boomer’s Sports Bar; 1123 S. Third St., Ironton, Ohio 45638 (740) 237-4235.
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Comments
Posted by SRH (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, just what Ironton needed......another bar. And yes, I'm being facetious.
Posted by me123 (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats Larry & Mary! The place looks great! SRH, ever heard the saying "if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all"?
Posted by john_mushenhouse (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wanted to make and give something better to Ironton,” Gilmore explained --- Sure he did. This is a money maker for him. If he wanted to give something better, why a place that takes away from people?
I have nothing good to say about a dive that sole purpose is to get money by getting folks drunk.
M2123 - This is america and I will say whatever I want ,. You must be kin or friends. Ironton deserves something better than a drunkard's hangout.
Posted by rooster1410 (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just what we need in Ironton, another bar. Not the best way to give back to the community. The article states that Mary has the ability to make the business go to the top. The top of what, the Ironton bar scene? Wonder how many innocent people will get killed by drunk drivers that leave that bar?
Posted by Vil (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You can't make everyone happy.....
I hope it stays a good establishment instead of sinking into being a problem spot like that location has in the past. It is good seeing someone take a place that had such a bad reputation and turn it into something nice and respectable.
How long is the kitchen open and do they offer take out?
Posted by babar1966 (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm happy for you guys, Larry and Mary. You put up your own money to do something you hope you'll enjoy and of course make successful. Good luck to you.
As an aside, I love all the people that blame the establishment rather than the people who actually don't know when to stop drinking. Just another notch in the "I-don't-want-to-take responsibility-for-my-own-decisions" crowd's belt. A nice sport's bar atmosphere to grab a beer or two and watch a game is a great thing. Drinking until your hammered and beating up your wife or crashing into a pedestrian is NOT the establishment's fault. Grow up folks and take some responsibility for yourselves!
Posted by falinrok (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 11:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This place will never be a "drunkards hangout" John , the daytime drinkers are the drunkards mostly & the "drunkards" budget drink so Boomers is out for them so your safe. Good luck to you Larry & Mary. i love a good bar with personality & class , we need a few more of them.
Posted by SRH (anonymous) on July 7, 2009 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To me123 & babar1966:
I know exactly what I'm talking about & I said precisely what I meant to say. The aim of any new business is to sell as much of their product to as many people as possible. The main product sold in any bar is alcohol. And "drinking until you're hammered & beating up your wife" can most certainly be the fault of the establishment. My son was killed in an Ironton crash after leaving an Ironton bar that continued to serve him long after it was obvious they should've stopped serving him. The establishment DOES have a responsibility and anyone with half a brain knows very well that most of these places continue to serve to drunk people, to make more money. I would wish the Gilmores well in just about any other type of business, but not a bar. Ironton does not need another one. The only people who "need" a bar are alcoholics. My son's drinking problem came to a screeching halt in a 92 mph crash. Until you've buried your own child, please don't preach to me about how wonderful it is to see yet another bar in Ironton.
Posted by john_mushenhouse (anonymous) on July 7, 2009 at 6:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The place looks like a dump. It has no style. it is a cheap looking hangout and not high class whatsoever so my guess it is in business to get folks to buy as much alcohol as they have money.
ironton doesn't need this.
Posted by Demi (anonymous) on July 7, 2009 at 7:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree that Ironton does not need another bar. Might as well put in another gas station too! Instead of this kind of establishment, why not offer a family atmosphere type of restaurant?? There are several families that would certainly patronize a place without a bar. This family knows that alcohol sells and it is all about the money in my opinion. No wonder people from Ironton choose to give their money to restaurants in Ashland!
Posted by mykool79 (anonymous) on July 7, 2009 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You people are crazy, NO it is not a bars responsibility to baby sit people.People with drinking problems or any other type of problem need to take a look at there self. How bout we shut down all the pharmacies b/c of all the drug addicts in town. When do people take responsibility for themselves?
Posted by Vil (anonymous) on July 7, 2009 at 11:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And I guess car makers should be held responsible too because it is the automobile manufacturer who made the vehicle that was able to travel 92 MPH.
People need to take responsibility for their own actions; too bad we live in a society that wants to blame everyone else for their problems and failings instead of themselves.
I checked this place out today and I have to say they have fixed the place up. They have many more plans with this business and if given the chance could grow into something more of the restaurant type of establishment like End Zone or Buffalo Wild Wings instead of the direction of a J.A.B. or Auger Inn.
Posted by OLDad (anonymous) on July 8, 2009 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
makin money, makin money, makin money......he will get his investment back in a couple of weeks when rally on the river gets here....yea we dont need another bar but you got to admit it was a smart business move no matter what your view is...people are just mad cause they didnt have the money to invest and make a killin on
Posted by deathdealer (anonymous) on July 8, 2009 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i know mary and she will do a good job with this place!! some of you people must be too young to remember when ironton was absolutely full of bars when i was a kid. that was when there was money flowing of course and no one would complain if that were the case now! but if a place is run right ANY ANY ANY business that opens up and pays taxes [ remember wolohan] is a step in the right direction. a business is SUPPOSED to make a profit so what's the problem?
Posted by Demi (anonymous) on July 8, 2009 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
VIl...what an insensitive thing to say about the boy who died drinking and driving at 92 mph...perhaps you could have said it with a bit more tact. No matter how this woman's child died, this is her CHILD!
Of course people are responsible for thier own behavior! This is not the point......Ironton NEEDS a different type of restaurant, not another "bar type" establishment. If people really want Ironton to grow and succeed, then they would be interested in more family type businesses.
Mykool79...No, bars are not responsible for "babysitting"; however, they do have a responsibility to stop serving someone who is highly intoxicated.
Posted by babar1966 (anonymous) on July 8, 2009 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SRH,
I'm very sorry for your loss. I can't possibly imagine the pain of burying one of my children. Having said that, where is the responsibility of the individual in this? The establishment is not holding them down and pouring alcohol down their throats against their will. I have several family members who don't know when to quit. I also have several family members who DO know when to quit. It's NOT the establishment's fault REGARDLESS of the fact that in today's litigous society we a) have lawyers who go after the money, i.e., the bars/restaurants and b) the families who believe it's too painful to face that their family member brought this tragedy on themselves and look to blame someone else. It's a natural tendancy but from an objective view, it's personal responsiblity or lack thereof.
I guess if you carry your position to it's logical conclusion their should be NO establishment serving alcohol because someone somewhere who has a drinking problem will find it, drink too much and kill themselves or someone else. Is that right?
We'd all be a lot better off if we took personal responsibility instead of looking to blame someone else.
Posted by mykool79 (anonymous) on July 8, 2009 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's all about personal responsibility! Ultimatly what YOU do affects YOU! Quit blaming everyone else! Some one high on drugs killed my sister when she was only 16 but i don't blame everyone else, just one individual! The one who did it!
Posted by Demi (anonymous) on July 9, 2009 at 6:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mykool....I am very sorry to hear about your loss, but I think you are missing the main point of the postings. It is not about personal responsibility! Of course, everyone should be held accountable for their own actions. But why bring yet another "bar" that serves food on the side to Ironton??
Posted by blondie89 (anonymous) on July 9, 2009 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am very happy for Larry and Mary. Larry is one of my favorite family members and I'm proud of the turnaround with the bar. It was a wise investment. Every one keeps saying Ironton doesn't need another bar! It was a bar before! Now it's just a better bar. This bar is being ran by great people and I hope it brings them success. And about the comment "I wonder how many people will get killed by drunk drivers that leave that bar", Well why pick on the bars when it's the fault of the irresponsable drunk drivers? Who doesn't enjoy going out to get something to eat, having a beer, and watching the game? Or catching up with friends over a beer and some good food? Or winding down from a long days work with a beer? I don't think these people as well as the bar owners should be punished or looked down on because some people are idiots and THEY drink to much. Ironton buisness does seem to revolve around bar and banks. While it's unfortunate we don't have more buisness in Ironton ANY buisness is good buisness. Well I think I am rambling now so I would like to wish Larry and Mary Good luck on this wonderful investment and I am sorry about all the people on this comment board that want to play the blame game. You would think they were trying to bring back prohibition.
Amanda
Posted by Demi (anonymous) on July 9, 2009 at 9:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Again, this is why most of us go to Ashland to dine....It is embarrassing that Ironton has so many "bar centered" restaurants...and no, not just any business is a good business. What kind of crowd does this type of place draw? The End Zone was supposed to be initially a family place, but it drew only drinkers and not many families. Let's face it folks; it is about the money, not the type of business that business owners are looking at.
Posted by mykool79 (anonymous) on July 10, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
almost every restaurant in ashland has a bar! roadhouse, apple bees, cg maggies, fiesta bravo, ruby tuesdays, ect! so i dont understand your going to ashland to dine. and this new bar did replace a hole in the wall bar!
Posted by me123 (anonymous) on July 10, 2009 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Regardless of what anyone says - my Congrats to Larry and Mary on a success! Hope it continues to be one! Don't let a few negative comments bring you down. Any step towards updating Ironton, even the bars, is a step in the right direction.
Posted by babar1966 (anonymous) on July 10, 2009 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Demi, contrary to your apparently mistakenly-held beliefs, business are started and continue TO MAKE MONEY. Unless your a not-for-profit such as SOME charities and hospitals, that's what business are their to do. Would YOU start a business that was NOT intended to make money. Would you start a business that you KNEW had no CHANCE of making money? Of course not. This may be a gamble on Larry and Mary's part. Maybe there are too many bars in Ironton. I don't know. But as long as they are putting up their own money and they went through proper legal steps/permits, why do you care? If you are in fact right, their business will be closed in short order. I hope they don't because I like seeing small business succeed especially in a depressed economic community like Ironton.
Posted by Demi (anonymous) on July 14, 2009 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Of course they have the right to own a business. This is not what is being disputed. And of course we want them to succeed. And, yes many places in Ashland have bars and I go there. But these are restaurants with bars, not bars that sell food, if you see where I am coming from. I am curious to see what kind of crowd this new place brings in. It is sad to me that people see Ironton as a place to bring these types of establishments. Isn't Ironton worth a more sophisticated kind of place? As long as these bars that sell food keep coming in, that is all Ironton will be and will ever be, a town full of bars and run-down buildings.....sadly! Do any of you people ever get out of Ironton to see what is out there and what Ironton could be??
Posted by babar1966 (anonymous) on July 28, 2009 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Demi,
I grew up in Ironton and I would love to see it be the beacon of upscale if not eclectic dining and entertainment. However, I wouldn't hold my breath. The culture of the area and the clientele that are available will not support upscale restaurants. Look at the examples of "high-end" restaurants that have tried to be successful in the area, namely the most recent establishment located in the old train depot (annd this was only a mild venture into higher-end restaurants). They can't make it because there is not enough of a base of potential customers to sustain that type of restaurant investment. That is, the general overall customer base is either not willing or not cabable of spending those kinds of dollars to support a mid to high-end restaurant ($20-$50 per meal). And restaurants such as Chili's, Applebee's, TGI's etc. typically don't locate to small towns such as Ironton because it doesn't fit their business model: hotels close by, malls close by, large-anchor (Target, Best Buy, etc.) shopping centers close by. And lastly, other locally owned one-of-a-kind restaurants (not national chains) typically look for a draw for their crowds from other activities that bring potential diners such as theatres, museums, etc. Ironton doesn't have that either. So unfortunately, Ironton is destined to cater to the demographic that they have: 20-35, limited college education, sports (football) interested, consumes alcohol. And a business such as Boomers fits that business model. This is not to say that their aren't other demographics in Ironton but not enough to support a substantially different business model than that described above. Example after example of failed restaurants trying to do something other than to just be a bar/restaurant bear that out.
As an aside, I've traveled to over 20 countries worldwide in my work and most of the 50 states. I've eaten at some of the best restaurants this country and the world has to offer so I DO know what's out there. Hence the fact that I don't now live in Ironton. But good luck to my hometown!
Posted by visegrip56 (anonymous) on December 30, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Larry is an acquaintance of mine through the ISEE. Congrats to to him and his wife for being able to follow yet another career path. I think that the owners and the particular signs of the time and place, will make Boomers what ever it will be. In my home town , Carmi, IL, there is an establishment, Gottzz's. This place had always been a tavern(on the rough). Carmi has had several eating establishments try to make it and fail. DQ, M'Ds and Tequilas are the only name brand places in town. There are hometown run palces as well that are very good places to eat and get home cooking. About 10yrs ago the owner of Gottzz's decided to put in a small buffet for lunch patrons, very good quality and limited quantity. Their business has grown so much that they have remodedled twice and now they do not even have a bar to set at. They have a buffet and grill for lunch mon-frid, thurs.eve.buff and grill, frid eve. grill and Sun. lunch buffet. At Thanksgiving time they prepare for anyone that wants to come in a full Thanksgiving dinner for FREE to those that might be in need and for the appriciation to their customers. The only time that they really have just a tavern is the annual two day festival in October. The owner of Gottzz's pation was to COOK and they have filled a need. So might be the same with Boomer's only time will tell.
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