No, Hart isn't a misspelling featured on a new downtown bar and restaurant, though people often assume it is.
King of Harts, 30 W. Third St., began as a pun on the Hart Building, in which it resides, which housed a men's clothing store owned by the Hart brothers, Sandra Butters, marketing manager, said.
Started in the third week of May with a soft opening, King of Harts was meant to have a historical theme.
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An inside view of the new bar, King of Harts, on W. Third Street.
"We had to be different," Butters said. "There are old, established restaurants, but we wanted to bring more people to see it grow by leaps and bounds."
On the first floor of the building, medieval tapestries and murals cover the walls. Downstairs, known as the King's Quarters, is said to be located in the "dungeon" of the Hart Building. It is meant for people who want to escape the "hubbub" of upstairs. Both the upstairs and downstairs part of the building feature the full menu.
Before King of Harts began, the downstairs held a sunken dance floor.
Fact Box
King of Harts
30 W. Third St.
567-7671
Hours: Daytime, Mon. to Fri. - 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mon. to Sat. - 4 p.m. to closing
Butters said because the downstairs is so quiet and "cozy," they want to use it more for banquets.
Chris Ertel, building manager, said they have welcomed criticism as a way to improve the restaurant, but so far have heard nothing negative about the food.
"It's great food," she said.
The location provides downtown workers another place to have lunch.
"We try to keep the focus on the community, what the community needs," Ertel said. "We would never want to take away from other places. We aspire to be like them, or at least have the same growth. With all of the growth, there are a lot of niches to fill."
For being so new, Ertel said the growth so far has been good, though Butters did not know what to expect before they opened.
"We hoped it would take off the way it has," Ertel said. "We think it's going to get even better as we evolve."
The bar has been growing faster than Ertel expected.
"We aspire to be a restaurant, but we're surprised the bar took off," she said. "The restaurant hasn't kicked off yet, but I think with the weather it will take off."
Even months after opening, Ertel and Butters still think of new ideas for the restaurant.
"We're constantly getting ideas and incorporating them," Butters said. "We do a little at a time."
One surprise everyone is working on will not be revealed until later, but is something Butters said the area really needs. She plans to reveal it in May when they have an anniversary for their first year.
For more information, call 567-7671. King of Harts is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. Evening hours are 4 p.m. to closing Monday through Saturday.
