WILLOUGHBY, Ohio — Spirits in Willoughby, on the north end of downtown Willoughby, has a new owner and a romantic new Train Car Wine Bar.
In November, Kirk Swanson took ownership of the seven-year-old tavern and Mary O’Neill Vicic joined him as general manager. Both have deep roots in the hospitality industry, Swanson has operated the Chagrin River Diner, The Pub at the end of Lost Nation Road and Castaways River Tiki Bar, all in Willoughby. Vicic has worked at a number of restaurants.
The tavern’s name – Spirits — has dual meaning. The bar serves spirits, of course. And the property is allegedly haunted by spirits. Specifically, the 100-plus-year-old Willoughby Coal & Supply Co. building on the site has attracted nationwide attention for paranormal activity.
Today, that “haunted” brick building is a storage facility. It will soon find new life as storage for oak barrels to age wine as the facility moves into wine production at some point…