A new spot to grab a sandwich or burger is coming to Kettering. Rum Runners Cafe is set to open at 2318 E Dorothy Ln. As first reported by the website Dayton.com, the eatery is launching by offering online ordering and a limited menu next month, and hopes to open for dine in service and an expanded menu by some time in June.
Rum Runners Cafe is owned by teacher and restaurant industry veteran Jamie Campbell and a partner, who also jointly own Rum Runners Sauces, a BBQ sauce line that are currently sold locally at Dorothy Lane Market and Dots Market. The sauce offerings include honey rum, sweet rum and spicy rum as well as a forthcoming rum and Coke sauce as well as a glaze in the same flavor. All the sauces will be available to add as side for any order as well as a sauce option for the restaurant’s chicken wings.
The 3,500 square foot restaurant will have seating for 75 guests, with a decor that’s described as prohibition-era art deco, with black and gold colors and geometric patterns reminiscent of the glam associated with the Jazz Age. Furthering the 1920s theme will be some of the menu items, which will be named after gangsters, flappers, Irish mafia members and female rum runners of the period.
Campbell tells What Now Columbus that the inspiration stems from her love of history combined with stories passed down from her partner’s grandparents.
“I’ve always loved the whole roaring 20s era, but my partner’s grandparents actually lived during that time and they’ve shared stories of what it was like to go to speakeasies,” she said.
Initially, the menu will consist of items like burgers, chicken sandwiches and loaded baked potatoes, with pastas, salads and salmon added to the offerings once the restaurant opens for dine in service.
And although the restaurant has rum in its name, guests won’t be able to order a cocktail with their meal, at least not at first. The eatery plans to get its alcohol licensing in the fall, at which time it will serve alcohol in addition to food.
Campbell said the restaurant has a separate bar area that will have eight taps for draft beer and the cocktail program will feature rum based drinks, as well as gin, since it was a popular spirit in the 1920s.
