Boneshakers, in Former Timberlanes, Opens Doors
SALEM, Ohio — Brooke and Brandy Pidgeon wielded a pair of oversized scissors to snip the red satin ribbon outside Boneshaker’s, 544 E. Pershing St. And as the ribbon hit the ground Tuesday evening, the restaurant was officially open.
“The city needed it. There was such a demand from the surrounding communities for someone to reopen Timberlanes,” Brooke Pidgeon said.
Boneshaker’s, the former Timberlanes restaurant and a Salem landmark, opened after the space sat empty seven years. The banquet hall at Boneshakers, also owned by the Pidgeons, has been open since 2012.
Since the banquet hall opened in July, Brooke Pidgeon described business as “better than expected.” It’s booked on weekends through the end of the year for weddings and parties.
Boneshakers has hired 30 employees, most part-time, the owners said.
The Pidgeons’ biggest challenge in reopening the restaurant was the work needed to restore the structure.
“We were running around trying to get things ready up until the day it opened,” Brandy Pidgeon said.
The property needed considerable work and that required a sizeable budget. “This property did not allow us to nickel and dime it,” Brooke Pidgeon said.
Some of the work needed: painting the walls, installing new flooring and adding decorations.
Brooke Pidgeon wanted to keep the ambiance of Timberlanes, but not the white linen tablecloths, and to offer quicker service. “We tried to keep the atmosphere of fine dining here,” he said, “but it’s more of a causal atmosphere now.”
The menu offers appetizers, sandwiches, pastas, seafood, steaks, and desserts for lunch and dinner.
“The most popular item on the menu so far is the prime rib that is only served on weekends,” said Brandy Pidgeon.
Boneshakers recently began offering brunch on Sundays at 10 a.m. as well.
The Pidgeons are interviewing potential contractors about remodeling the former Timberlanes hotel, they said. When it reopens, it would offer 60 rooms.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
