Jackass Flats has been at the center of a bitter court fight since November 2012, when co-owner John T. Walsh sued business partner and co-0wner Terry L. Smith in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. Smith, who actively managed the bar’s operations through late 2013, countersued.
Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Mary K. Huffman ruled in favor of Walsh, and a three-judge panel of the Ohio 2nd District Court of Appeals affirmed Huffman’s decision, sending the bar into receivership and putting it up for sale. Smith’s attorney, Gary Leppla, is still challenging some aspects of the case, but the bar and the seven-acre property surrounding it was sold earlier this week.
The sale price was $700,001, according to Wadzinski. “I have been looking for a place to open a restaurant for about three years,” Wadzinski said.
Most of the locations he looked at were spaces where restaurants had closed, and building a successful eatery on such a site is a challenge, Wadzinski said. A friend told him about Jackass Flats, and he rode his motorcycle to a Wednesday night “Bike night” there, encountering about 800 bikes and at least 1,000 people. “Needless to say, I was impressed,” the bar’s new owner said.
Wadzinski said he intends to add a full kitchen and expand the food menu “significantly.” Paul Mussolino, who operated multiple Air Force clubs for 20 years and owned City Views Diner in Beavercreek from 2009 through 2013, will serve as general manager.
The changes won’t happen immediately. Wadzinski said he’ll start construction in late November.
“I will try to keep the bar open during construction, but that may not be possible,” Wadzinski said. “We will have a grand re-opening in the spring.
“We plan on having more live music, festivals, classic and custom car shows, and many more activities. Of course, Wednesday will always be Bike Night and the bikers who made the place what it is will always be a priority for me.”
About the Author
