Hearts are aching across the Queen City after two devoted Pendleton restaurant industry members passed away this past week.

PJ Neumann, proprietor of Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey and former member of Nation Kitchen & Bar, and Mike Bold, server and bartender at Nation Kitchen & Bar, died just days apart.

Social media channels have been lighting up with memories, tributes and condolences, illustrating the deeply positive impact both of these individuals had on the community — both within the restaurant industry and beyond.

A celebration of life for Bold was held at 3 Points Urban Brewery on Saturday, Jan. 18 (what would have been Bold's 25th birthday) and a portion of the proceeds from the brewery, Nation Kitchen & Bar, Rhinehaus, Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey and Lucius Q went toward Bold's funeral expenses.

Chef Christian Gill of Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey announced Neumann's passing via an Instagram post on Saturday evening:





Nation Kitchen & Bar wrote about the immense loss as well:

"This rollercoaster of life took another steep dive this weekend. We’re still grieving the loss of our own Mike Bold only to be heartbroken again as one of our original team members, PJ Neumann has passed away," the Facebook post reads. "PJ was one the guys that helped make Nation what it is today. He took it a step farther and put his own finger prints on the Pendleton neighborhood that will not be forgotten."

PJ Neumann's visitation is scheduled from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 25 at the Vitt, Stermer & Anderson Funeral Home at 4619 Delhi Pike, with a funeral mass following at 12:30 p.m. at Dominic Church, located at 4551 Delhi Pike. The family asks that memorials be made to Prospect House 682 (682 Hawthorne Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45205) in lieu of flowers.

Mike Bold's funeral was held on Jan. 20 at the Avance Funeral Home and Crematory, located at 4976 Winton Road in Fairfield. To offer condolences, visit avancefuneralhome.com.