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Aug 03, 2023

Iconic Worthington Businesses: Old Bag of Nails hits mark as neighborhood tavern

This is the fourth in a series featuring iconic Worthington businesses to be

This is the fourth in a series featuring iconic Worthington businesses to be featured monthly.

Old Bag of Nails, 663 High St., has been a gathering place for friends to enjoy food and drinks in old Worthington for 26 years.

Founder and owner Mike Purdum, who launched the popular chain in Worthington in 1996, said it all started with burgers, chicken wings, a salad and drinks with the popular fish and chips added a few months later.

"We’re a local tavern that serves good food and kept prices reasonable," he said. "People don't have to break the bank to go out to eat. It was never about money. It was about having fun and building a restaurant where you walk up to a table and people say, "That's the best fish I’ve ever had, getting that good vibe feeling that feeds you.’"

Purdum reminisced about the early days via a phone interview that was initiated by his daughter, Abigail Stellern, assistant vice president of strategies, who was at the Worthington tavern with Tim Miller, vice president of operations.

Purdum said the pub's building is more than 125 years old, and he remembers putting building materials on top of his Jeep as he created the chain's first location that was formerly a hardware store. He lived in Clintonville at the time but has called Upper Arlington home for many years.

"I have notes in the woodwork and silver dollars," he said. "A lot of people have walked through those front doors in 26 years."

The Old Bag of Nails has grown to include 16 locations in Ohio, including in Bexley, Clintonville, Delaware, Hilliard, Pickerington, Upper Arlington, Westerville, Whitehall, as well as one in Lansing, Michigan.

While Worthington's tavern has 15 employees, there are 600 employees company-wide, according to Miller.

"When Mike started the place, it was more about really good cheeseburgers, cheap beer and just a good time," he said. "It was where you could come in, meet people you know from the neighborhood, have an enjoyable experience, not spend a ton of money and walk away happy.

"He used to make homemade chili, the burgers were always good, French fries. It was a natural evolution in working with different cooks when the fish and chips came into play, and he loved it. He perfected what he thought would be the best."

Miller has worked for the company for 20 years, starting as a bartender in the Upper Arlington location. He said the chain's success can be attributed to the employees.

"We don't have investors," he said. "We don't have a giant company that has a bunch of people who come in to pay to be part of the business. Mike has built it literally from the ground up. It grew organically. He doesn't spend a lot of money on advertising. It was word of mouth. When you have a place that's successful by word of mouth and people are talking about it, that's a big thing."

Miller said there are many longtime employees who believe in the business.

Bill Walden has worked as a bartender, server and assistant manager during his eight years in Worthington. He said he said he loves the family atmosphere.

"I’ve watched customers grow up and go to college," he said. "I’ve watched customers, unfortunately, pass away on us. We’ve seen babies that are now walking and talking. Worthington is a very, very close-knit community. I don't live in Worthington, but I still feel that when I’m here I’m part of Worthington. I’ve made tons of friends with customers."

Worthington resident Susan Mamone has worked five years as a hostess.

"I love it so much," she said. "It feels like my home. My dad and I went to the hardware store when I was a child. This little space means a lot to me because of that. People eat and drink and party down. Families come with kids. We have one couple that comes with five kids. I like to eat everything here. Everything is good. It has a good variety."

Worthington resident Bob Farmer eats at Old Bag about once a week, saying, "It's friendly, comfortable and has good food."

Purdum said he has been working on a pizza idea that has already started at the Upper Arlington location, 2102 Tremont Center.

Stellern said the concept is called the Upper Arlington Pizza Club, and pizza is served Thursdays through Sundays.

"It's called that with the concept being everyone loves pizza so it's a club everyone is in," she said "It's a place to come hang out and enjoy pizza, beer, families. It has decorations related to Arlington. Even growing up we’ve always made pizzas at home. My mom, Tara, is Italian. We actually have two types of pizza."

She said one pizza is a thin crust, Midwest style which has a party cut, cracker crust, and there's the traditional, hand-tossed New York.

"My dad makes both doughs, every batch," Stellern said. "If you asked him, he’d put it everywhere. I think we definitely want to expand the concept. How we do that, we’re not quite sure yet."

Stellern said she was only 3 when her dad opened the first restaurant.

"Mom owned Fine Lines, a stationery store, two doors down," she said. "She had it first and gave dad the idea to open it in this strip."

Stellern said she worked as a host and server growing up and attended Miami University, where she majored in accounting and entrepreneurship.

She rejoined the business about a year and half ago, leaving a position at L Brands.

"I just always loved taking care of the guests," she said. "I was hopeful one day there would be a spot for me. With COVID, I they needed one more hand. I love it."

The Worthington location is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

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