In May of 2015 an engineer, construction firm workers and a social worker came together to open a new brewery in downtown Delaware, Ohio. The second in town, Restoration Brew Worx has been able to make a name for itself among locals and college students.

“The Restoration story is that, my husband has been a home brewer for about 20 years,” said Roma Barickman, one of the brewery’s co-owners. “We used to drink beer in our house and with our neighbors, and for about 15 years we would say ‘Oh wouldn’t it be cool if we owned a bar … we should own a bar.” 

She is not sure exactly what ignited the move to follow through with their vision, but 

once they found the right space, everything started to come together. “We are doing 

fantastic,” Barickman said. “We are selling more beer than we’re making.”

Four of the five partners have lived in Delaware for 18 years, and are happy to call it 

home. Barickman has come to admire the community of businesses in the downtown strip that have helped to welcome Restoration. “It is not a competition. If one does well then, we all do well.”

Restoration not only welcomes Delaware locals as patrons, but also as employees. 

Barickman said that one server is a student at Ohio Wesleyan, but all other workers are 

residents in town. Unlike the owners, the servers and chefs have past experience working in the restaurant industry. “We have an amazing team,” she said.

In the 18 years that Barickman has lived in Delaware, downtown has changed 

significantly, she said. “Local businesses and local government are welcoming and really want to be a destination.” 

Frank Barickman, Roma’s husband and co-owner of Restoration said, “Downtown 

Delaware has its challenges, but it’s thriving right now.” In past three years, downtown 

Delaware has doubled the number of restaurants, according to Frank. “We don’t need to drive to Polaris anymore.” 

Barickman said, “There is a really cool local flavor here which is unique to downtown 

Delaware.”