PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
RIBBON-CUTTING … Reelwood staff and Wauseon Chamber of Commerce representatives gather for the ribbon-cutting, celebrating the restaurant’s official opening inside Skye Cinema.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
Reelwood Sports Bar and Grill, the long-awaited addition many Wauseon residents have hoped to see for years, celebrated its official ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, November 12.
The event, held in partnership with the Wauseon Chamber of Commerce, marked the formal opening of the new establishment located inside Skye Cinema on Airport Highway
For a long time, residents have expressed a desire for a true sports bar in town, a place offering great food, a lively atmosphere, and a spot to gather before or after local events.
With Reelwood’s arrival, that wish has finally been granted, bringing with it a fresh concept that blends a friendly environment with a locally inspired dining experience.
Reelwood operates with a strong team-focused approach, something owner Richard Flores emphasized during the ribbon-cutting. Flores said the opportunity to step into the space began with his sister, who previously managed the location and brought the idea forward.
After speaking about the opportunity, Flores and his brother Robert decided the concept was worth pursuing.
With their family’s thirty-three years in the tree and lumber business, the Reelwood name immediately connected with their background. “We have a sawmill and do carving work, so the name and atmosphere just fit,” Flores said. “It felt like the right direction to go.”
Flores noted that one of his first steps was studying the previous restaurant’s reputation. “When I heard the availability of Reelwood, I went and looked at the reviews, and they had awesome customer service reviews.
That’s why I kept a lot of the same people that were here before,” he shared. “I read hundreds of them, so I knew there was a lot of opportunity from what was already here.”
Flores said one of Reelwood’s main goals is to offer food that is both high in quality and reasonably priced, giving residents and visitors a menu that stands out without being hard on the wallet. Beyond the food itself, he also wanted the restaurant to reflect the community it serves.
With that in mind, he reached out to athletic directors across the NWOAL to invite each local school to contribute items for display inside the restaurant.
“I was thinking NWOAL the entire time,” he said. “We wanted to integrate the schools into it. They all have the opportunity to send things over, and we’re looking forward to working with the schools on future opportunities.”
The food at Reelwood is already proving to be a standout attraction, offering flavors that are both bold and memorable.
The one-of-a-kind Pocho Potato Chip Nachos are quickly becoming a signature item, built on fresh in-house potato chips and layered with high-quality meats and cheeses.
Just as impressive, if not more so, are the Fried Mushroom Spears. These have been the talk of early visitors, delivering a flavor and crunch that make them genuinely remarkable.
They are the kind of appetizer people will come back for, and the kind that could easily become a regional favorite. With dishes like these, Reelwood’s menu offers something special enough to pull guests into Wauseon from several towns over.
Flores also explained that Reelwood places a strong emphasis on quality ingredients, something reflected throughout its menu.
The restaurant serves locally raised beef from Dreamland Farms, providing what Flores described as a true “one gene” product sourced from a single animal rather than mixed cuts from multiple suppliers.
Reelwood Sports Bar and Grill officially opened its doors to the public on Monday, November 3, and has seen strong support throughout its first week of operation.
With its unique menu, community-centered approach, and long-awaited sports bar atmosphere, Reelwood is positioned to become a standout destination within Wauseon and a draw for visitors from surrounding towns.