Historic Time Out Tavern reopens
By Sam McClanahan
FALMOUTH — Historic Time Out Tavern, which has served as a staple in the Falmouth business community for more than a half a century, has reopened its doors following a 2 ½-month absence.
The establishment was forced to close due to the sudden loss of beloved owner Rick Wilson, who passed in early February. Wilson had owned the business for the past decade.
But one couple with Pendleton County ties made it their mission to revive the business which holds a special place in their hearts.
Brian and Tonya (Messmer) Sandy, who currently reside in Tennessee but are both originally from Pendleton County, quickly went into action to make an idea turn into reality.
“I made my mind up at Rick’s memorial celebration at Pendleton Hills after his funeral that I wanted to try buy the bar and keep it going,” Brian Sandy said.
Sandy founded and owns BK Plumbing, a successful plumbing company based out of Alcoa, Tennessee, that has been in operation more than two decades.
Sandy’s late uncle, Greg Sandy, originally went in with Rick Wilson as business partners a decade ago to acquire the bar. However, he would be diagnosed with cancer and he passed away in April of 2019.
“It became an easy decision for me. I didn’t want to see the bar go away,” Brian Sandy said. “That place has been a part of my life for over 30 years.
“I wanted to do it honor my uncle and Rick. They did a great job with it and the place meant everything to them as well. I wanted to do everything I could to make sure it stayed ‘in the family,’ so to speak,” Sandy said.
In the week’s following Wilson’s passing, Sandy sat down, collected his thoughts and wrote a letter that he sent to Wilson’s sister, expressing his desire to acquire the business and property. An agreement would be reached and Sandy’s goal to gain ownership and bring the business back would fall into place.
He spoke about wide range of emotions he experienced while putting the letter together.
“I’ve never done anything like that in my life, but I wanted to make sure his family knew it was all coming from the heart. I wanted it to be perfect and for them to know just how much it would mean to me as well as the loyal customers who have supported that place for decades.
“I cannot thank the Wilson family enough for giving me and my wife this opportunity to do our families proud in taking the place forward.”
Tonya Sandy, who also grew up in Pendleton County, said, “This place is so much more than a bar. It’s a gathering place for the community. We have held our 21st birthdays here, shared laughs and made countless memories here, and shed tears together when someone in the bar ‘family’ passed away.
“We felt it was important to step in and try preserve the importance of what this place holds to so many people,” she said.
This week the tavern will hold its biggest celebration of the year with the annual Derby Day bash on May 2. The event will be a daylong celebration that’ll feature lots of food, drinks, the broadcast of the Kentucky Derby race and concluded by a live music performance from Pendleton County’s own John Morgan Nordheim during the evening.
The Sandy's invite everyone to stop by and help them celebrate their grand re-opening.
Going forward, the Sandys look to add their touch to the establishment in taking it to new heights. The bar is now smoke/vape-free and there will be some additions in the works such as tap beer along with theme nights that may include trivia and Singo.
There are now several large TVs inside the bar that will be tuned into all sports networks and showing all UK basketball and football games as well as the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals throughout the year.
Customers can still enjoy mainstays of the establishment that include a pool table, two dartboards and the Touchtunes jukebox.
Time Out Tavern, 874 Ridgeway Ave., is open seven days a week. The business line is 859-654-3222 and frequent updates are to be posted on its Facebook page.