ASHLAND – Owning a corner tavern is a dream come true for Alex Bosley, and members of the Ashland community are happy to see that dream come to fruition in downtown Ashland.
Bosley’s new cocktail lounge, Joan’s Tavern, was packed to standing room only Friday as Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of the new business with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
“It’s the American Dream,” Bosley said of his journey to becoming a business owner. “This is just what I love to do.”
Bosley got his start in the restaurant and bar business at Buffalo Wild Wings in Ashland, where he worked his way up from cook to shift manager and also worked as a bartender before becoming general manager of the Ontario location.
Ken Brown owns seven area Buffalo Wild Wings locations, including the ones where Bosley worked. Brown remembers Bosley as one of his best bartenders and most successful servers, and he wishes Bosley the best.
“It’s cool to see one of your employees go and do something out on their own,” Brown said. “I think it’s a great thing and I hope he’s wildly successful.”
In addition to commendations from the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce, The Ohio Secretary of State and Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof, Bosley received a certificate from Ashland Area Economic Development.
AAED Executive Director Kathy Goon called Bosley the most qualified and person she’s ever helped in her work with small businesses.
Mayor Matt Miller congratulated Boley on a dream fulfilled and thanked him for fulfilling that dream in the city of Ashland.
“Look at all the people who are pursuing their dreams right here in your city,” Miller said. “This is a good place to be.”
Ashland Main Street Executive Director Sandra Tunnell thanked Bosley for choosing downtown.
“It is such a wonderful community here, so when you told me you were doing this, I was so giddy,” she said.
Bosley said he has loved Ashland since he moved here at age 24.
“It’s just a cool town with great community support and you couldn’t ask for a better area to want to be a part of,” he said.
Bosley said he tries to do business with other local businesses whenever possible.
For example, A.S.H. Home Remodeling did the renovation work at the bar, and Vinyl Marketing designed the tavern’s Magpie logo. Joan’s also serves beer from Uniontown Brewery on tap.
Located at 165 Union Street, Joan’s Tavern is open for lunch at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday and offers carryout. The bar stays open until midnight Monday through Thursday and until 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
