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The Refinery, a family entertainment center, is shown in this rendering depicting the view from Main Street, Celina. Owners hope to open the business in mid to late 2024.
CELINA - A quintet of business partners aim to convert a vacant three-story brick building on Main Street into a wonderland of amusements they believe will complement the thriving downtown scene.
By day, The Refinery at 311 S. Main St. will operate like a souped-up Chuck E. Cheese for families and private functions, replete with an arcade, assortment of games and miniature bowling lanes.
As the night comes falling, the 15,000-square-foot Refinery will take on a more adult atmosphere. It will feature fully-stocked bars, music, axe-throwing competition and other thrills.
Cody Muhlenkamp, Jacob Poeppelman, Steven Muhlenkamp, Dylan Pottkotter and Brad Green revealed their plans for The Refinery to the newspaper on Tuesday afternoon.
The name and planned interior design of the family entertainment center are a homage to the area's oil drilling history. Oil was first discovered locally in 1890; soon after, Grand Lake became the site of the world's first offshore oil derricks.
Interior demolition is mostly done and construction is scheduled for October, the men said. They foresee The Refinery opening in mid to late 2024 and employing roughly 30 people.
The business partners sought to establish what they feel is a missing piece to the area's burgeoning dining, nightlife and tourism sector.
"When you see these big cities with these really fun entertainment options, it's like, 'Why can we not have something like that here, too, and just scale it down size-wise but still have it be accessible?'" asked Green.
They want to put their own twist on a family entertainment center that appeals to a broad demographic by blending various components - a full-scale kitchen, amusements and games involving social interaction such as giant Jenga, all centered on the notion of community,
"We had a rough idea of what we wanted to do but 'where' was the tough part," Green said.
Rendering shows the southwest view of The Refinery at 311 S. Main St., Celina.
The partners saw much potential in the building and property at 311 S. Main St. In the past the building housed branches of Ohio Northern University and Wright State University and was a former county administration building.
"The idea of having a historic building, an old building is really appealing," Green said.
"And the bones of the building are great, its concrete floors," added Cody Muhlenkamp. "The actual structure is in great shape. It's just a lot of the cosmetic fixes to it."
The men teamed up with Turfway Entertainment, an Indiana firm that provides expert consulting for family entertainment centers. Turfway was also impressed with the potential of the building - and the Grand Lake area.
"If we're going to offer something, we wanted to do it right," Green said.
Turfway assisted with a feasibility study, concept and layout of The Refinery.
"That was really helpful to make sure our vision, I guess, was realistic and putting a business plan together," Cody Muhlenkamp said of the bowling lanes.
They devised a layout for the business with the first floor serving as the kitchen. The second floor will feature a mix of social games and four, 30-foot-long miniature bowling lanes.
"Each one will have its own seating area and have like a VIP feel to it," Cody Muhlenkamp said.
The third floor will be similar in design and scope and contain an arcade and axe-throwing area, they said. Booth floors will boast bars, and food will be brought to customers via a dumbwaiter and food runners.
Customers will be treated to a panoramic view of downtown and parts of Grand Lake on the third-floor balcony.
The building will have two main entrances and an outdoor patio section. There's enough room behind it for up to 40 parking spaces, they said.
"During the day it can be birthdays or private events or even corporate events … but then as the night goes on, the music gets a little bit louder, it gets a little bit darker and it turns more into an adult crowd," Cody Muhlenkamp said.
Rendering shows the northwest view of The Refinery at 311 S. Main St., Celina.
Celina's profile as a tourism destination and recreational hub has intensified in recent years due to consider investment by developers and entrepreneurs.
The five men believe The Refinery will elevate that status, providing entertainment to families who visit Rush Sports Complex for tournaments, Boardwalk Village for vacations and the downtown merchants for shopping.
"I think we'll draw people from 60 miles away, pretty easy," said Poeppelman, pointing out there's nothing in the region quite like what he and his business partners have planned for The Refinery.
With so much happening locally, both economically and recreationally, more young adults may consider relocating or moving back to the area, Green said.
"I've already heard that from people my age considering coming back, being around family," he said.
The five men represent diverse backgrounds in insurance, real estate, engineering, teaching and the food industry.
Poeppelman is the primary owner/operator of The Anchor restaurant/bar at 109 S. Main St. The building underwent renovations led by Lake Edge LLC owners Cody and Sarah Muhlenkamp, who are dedicated to revitalizing the city's historic downtown to spur the local economy and cultural growth.
"Jacob's restaurant experience is a big deal on planning and the operations," Cody Muhlenkamp said.
