Ohio Brew Week

Jon was a man of many passions. He was passionate in his love for his family and his faith. He was also very passionate about politics and business. He was loyal to his local party and a supporter of the Ohio University College Republican Club. Jon liked to interact with young people. As a businessman Jon was very supportive of youth athletic programs. He also was very proud of the fact that over the years he had given jobs to literally hundreds of college students. He felt if students developed a good work ethic, it would create good character. Jon was a passionate advocate for small businesses. As a member of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors he was a champion for small businesses. Many of his ideas or suggestions have become Chamber policy. He was the recipient of the Chamber's Small Business of the Year in 2004. He urged others to get involved in business associations. He encouraged younger business owners to take a stand, to speak up. If they had doubts about their business, Jon offered encouragement. He often said you can do it, stick with it, don't give up. Many owners, especially in the restaurant business, considered him a father figure. He was always there to give advice, sometimes whether they asked for it or not. Josh Thomas of Brennen's Coffee Café and Deli said you could always ask Jon for help. Jon had been through every imaginable situation and was very willing to share his experience. Jon was innovative, a creator and an idea person. He was one of the organizers of the Athens Independent Restaurant Association. He was the founder of the Ohio Brew Week Festival. After years of complaining about computers and the Internet Jon embraced both with a passion. He utilized the Internet to create a lunch lottery to promote his restaurants and developed an email list of over 4,000 customers. Jon started a relationship with local artists to display their art in his restaurants. One area artist told me how appreciative she was that Jon gave her an opportunity to show her paintings to the public. Jon created a shuttle service between his restaurants and Ohio University Performing Arts Presentations and productions at Arts West. Customers could go out to dinner take in a play or concert and never have to move their cars. Jon was a supporter of buying local from area farmers long before this became a current trend As his customer demographics changed over the years Jon adapted again. He kept the Oak Room concept but added a sports bar & grill to appeal to new younger customers. Recently he expanded again creating a game room with pool tables and video games. This again became a popular gathering spot for area students. One of Jon's numerous ideas he involved me in was quite unique. He was a strong supporter of the Chamber City/County map and liked to give them out to his customers. Jon asked me if he could have a laminated map so he could mount it in a display. I said sure. One day Jon called and said hey I have your map up you ought to come over and see it. So I hurried over to the Oak Room and walked in and looked around but didn't see the display. Jon said follow me I have it in a place of honor. He proceed to show me the map and a mounted display holder full of maps hanging over the urinal in the men's restroom. When I expressed my surprise and concern that this might not be the best idea for a chamber display Jon said" Trust me this is a great idea" and though he used other words that I not sure would be appropriate to repeat here today he basically said people would always need to visit this room and couldn't help but look at the map. Despite my doubts within a few months the Oak Room Men's Restroom display was the fourth highest outlet in Athens County in volume of dispensing maps, nearly 500 maps in three months time.

Jon Sparhawk was a loving husband and father, a business leader, a community advocate and friend to countless people who including myself will miss him dearly.