Newark couple dedicated to bringing energy to Bummie's

NEWARK – For Christin Malherbe and Tim Malherbe, Bummie's is so much more than a bar.

It's a place where Tim can realize his dream of owning a restaurant and serving up quality food. It's an investment in their future, which they're hoping will ultimately benefit their two daughters.

But most of all, it's a way for the Newark couple to give back to the community they love.

After months of planning, Christin and Tim purchased Bummie's Hi-Spot, at 155 N. Cedar St., Newark, in late November.

They've renamed the restaurant Bummie's Pub and Grub and added a new, fresher menu. The bar takes credit cards for the first time and has its own Facebook page.

But Christin and Tim want people to know they don't want to change the atmosphere of a place with so much history. They just want to put some fresh paint on the walls, bring in new tables and chairs, and add a little extra energy.

"This place had a very strong pulse at one point. It was known for good food, and we want to bring that back," Christin said.

It might take a while to make all their plans a reality, but both Tim and Christin said they are in it for the long haul.

"They say invest in something that has your heart, and our heart is in this community," Christin said. "We decided to throw together what we have and work our butts off and make something of it."

'A dream we could afford'

Tim, 34, isn't shy about his Newark roots.

A resident since the day he was born, he worked in the family business, Malherbe & Sons Painting, for years. But his realized his true passion was cooking.

He worked at Brew's Cafe in Granville for several years and soaked up as much about the restaurant business as he could. Ultimately, he took a maintenance supervisor job in Columbus, but he missed the authenticity and friendliness of the people in Newark.

He was driving down Cedar Street when he saw a for sale sign in the window of Bummie's.

The bar had been in the Baumgartner family since the 1960s. James "Bummie" Baumgartner and his wife, Stella, ran Bummie's for 30 years before handing over the reins to their son, James "David" Baumgartner.

David was ready to move on and was selling the bar, the apartment above it and the house next door.

After visiting the property with Christin, Tim was convinced he had found the restaurant he'd been looking for.

"It was a dream we could afford," he said. "We decided we can either work to build someone else's empire or try to build our own."

He and Christin, 30, got to work creating a business plan, using classic Newark restaurants such as the Buxton Tavern and Buffalo's Pine Cafe as inspiration.

"We wanted this to be the kind of place where you get here quick on Friday night so you can get a table," Tim said. "You don't just eat because you are here; you come here to eat."

After securing financing and closing on the property, the couple met with Baumgartner on the morning of Nov. 26 and signed the final papers. That afternoon, they were open for business.

"We never closed the doors," Christin said.

'We must be doing something right'

When the Mahlerbes took over Bummie's, word spread quickly among regulars, who were eager to try their new menu.

Tim said that, so far, he hasn't found anyone who's been disappointed.

He's in the kitchen every day, hand-slicing meat, pattying burgers, cutting french fries and whipping up the soup of the day.

Cheeseburgers, fishtail sandwiches, fried bologna and onion rings are still on the menu.

But he's added a Momma's Meatloaf Sandwich, which has been wildly popular, and a Rise and Shine cheeseburger, which comes topped with bacon and a fried egg and is served between two glazed doughnuts from R and M Bakery.

He said he's been told they have the best Reuben sandwich in town.

Tim said his goal is to establish regular, weekly specials that customers will look forward to. Some of those dishes will be a tribute to Christin's southern roots, including corn fritters, gumbo and jambalaya.

Whether they call ahead for carryout or sit down and eat, Tim said, he's confident that customers can get out the door with a great meal for under $8. And if they want to stay for a drink, there's several domestic beers on tap as well as a few rotating craft brews to taste.

Posting menu and drink offerings on their new Facebook page has attracted some new clients to Bummie's in the past few months. But the regulars have kept coming too, Christin said.

"If we can bring in another generation of customers and retain our existing ones it speaks for itself," Christin said. "We must be doing something right."

From the start, Christin and Tim knew they wanted to encourage a family atmosphere at Bummie's. They want their daughters to be able to spend time with them at work and want other parents to feel comfortable bringing their kids in for a hamburger or grilled cheese sandwich.

So far, all their regular customers have embraced that, Tim said.

"Some of these guys used to come here with their parents for lunch," he said.

'A recipe for a good thing'

Tim and Christin both agreed that they get frustrated when they hear people complain there's nothing to do in Newark.

"There is so much potential here, there's so many wonderful people and great things that could be if someone could put in the effort," Christin said.

Their goal is to make Bummie's a gathering place for people in the east end and beyond. They're hoping that others will see them investing their time and talent into a local business.

"Hopefully, other people our age will follow suit," Christin said. "All the pieces are here. You just need to put in the time, energy and commitment."

It might take some sweat, blood and tears, but Christin said she's confident that, together, she and Tim will achieve their dreams.

"I think we've got a recipe for a good thing here," she said. "We are working sunup to sundown, six days a week, but we wouldn't have it any other way. "

ajeffries@newarkadvocate.com

740-328-8544

Twitter: @amsjeffries

Coming Saturday

For more about couples who work together, pick up The Advocate on Valentine's Day.

Visit Bummie's Pub and Grub

Bummie's Pub and Grub, 155 N. Cedar St., Newark, is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is closed Sundays.

For more information or to place a carryout order, call 740-915-4365 or go to facebook.com/bummiespub.