AMESVILLE, Ohio – Entering Amesville, on the corner of SR 329 and State Street, sits a historic building at 10 State Street. Built in 1839, the space has a long history of housing locally-based businesses. Now, Amesville Diner & Smokehouse prepares to open at the location after efforts from the village, Capstone Properties and the business’s new owners.
Most recently, the building housed Park’s Place a restaurant that closed in 2024.
Grace Tokarz and Eric Lee, co-founders and owners of Amesville Smokehouse, chose the location of the former Park’s Place restaurant unexpectedly. Seeking out a new project after moving on from their work at Lake Hope Dining Lodge, the two decided they wanted to serve food to their local area.
“We were just looking for another place to make food for people,” Tokarz told the Independent.
After touring the State Street building last winter and finding it required extensive repairs, they initially passed on the offer to open their restaurant there.
However, after renovations led by Michael Ford, the mayor of Amesville and founder of the Amesville Revitalization Organization, and founder of Capstone Property Management David Funk, Tokarz and Lee took another look at the space. They were sold.
“[Tokarz and Lee] are just really perfect for [the building] on all levels,” Ford told the Independent. “Personality-wise, menu-wise, [and] experience. When they finally came in and said we’re interested, it was like, the heavens opened and the angels sang.”
Capstone purchased the building in 2024 from Joshua Vernon, owner of Park’s Place, and donated labor to complete necessary restorations. This included uncovering boarded up windows, removing the drop ceiling and installing drywall to the restaurant space.
“I think people will really be pleased with our renovation work, certainly in the dining area and restaurant,” Funk said. “It is quaint and retains its historic look.”
Ford knew the reopening of the building needed to include a gathering space for Amesville. As a life-long Amesville resident, he felt inspired to undertake building renovations after hearing frequent references from village residents to their memories in the store – whether purchasing dry goods during the building’s original function as a grocery store, or dining at Park’s Place beginning in 2019.
“When [10 State Street] closed, it really hit people hard,” Lee said. “It was almost like part of the village had died, and people have wanted it back so that they have somewhere to go and eat. They can socialize. It’s just going to mean so much to this village in terms of a social life.”
When looking for new businesses to fill the vacant building, Ford contemplated what would be successful for Amesville residents. Tokarz and Lee’s connection to Amesville, and previous experiences cooking in the region, made them prime candidates.
“I think people are really excited about having a restaurant in that location again, and you can’t find better restaurateurs than Eric Lee and Grace Tokarz,” Funk said. “Incredible experience, great vision. It’s just a dream come true for Amesville to have those folks bringing great food and an experience to the community.”
For Tokarz and Lee, the restaurant will hopefully be a way to gather Amesville residents and welcome visitors to the village, as well.
“It had to be something special enough that people might be willing to drive 20 or 30 minutes for,” Lee said.
The Smokehouse will bring in favorites from Tokarz and Lee’s previous projects, including hickory-smoked and meat ground in-house, will utilize fresh ingredients, and feature fresh rolls. Everything served will be made by the restaurant, “except for the ketchup and barbecue sauce,” Lee said.
The owners plan to supply their ingredients from local partners.
The opening date for Amesville Smokehouse is yet to be announced, but the chefs are sharing their progress on their Facebook page.
