Main Street Mainstay
There is a strong history with Down on Main Street Bar and Grill, the popular, longtime eatery in Greentown on Main Street. Owner Rod Richardson has put many years of time, effort and love into making it, and keeping it, what it is today.
“I bought it on April 23, 1998, so this April it will have been 28 years since the purchase,” he says. “It’s been a bar since the 1940s. Before I bought the place, it was called ‘The Idle Hour.’ Prior to that, it was a cigar and ice cream shop,” he says. “I planned on keeping it 5 to 10 years after retiring from Crysler. 28 years later, I’m still here!”
Richardson pays respect to the bar’s previous livelihood under other management.
“I still have the original ‘The Idle Hour’ neon on the wall behind the bar, adding to its historic tone,” he says.
“I changed the name so everybody would know about the new ownership. I named it after Bob Seger and his song Mainstreet,” he says.
For many longtime customers, the place is simply known by its acronym — DOMS, Richardson says.
“They’d say, ‘We’re going to DOMS Saturday night,’” he adds.
DOMS has seen many people come and go throughout its history, Richardson says.
“Many of our original customers have passed now. We have a big round table at the back of the bar. It’s just a big round poker table. We had everyone sign it before we put the polyurethane cover on it so it would be immortalized unless the table caught on fire. They are forever in the history. In fact, my parents even signed it. There’s at least 20 names on it, I think. My dad used to do karaoke for us, until 20 years ago.”
“We get a lot of our regulars, ages 40 to 60,” Richardson says.
With some recent changes to the law, DOMS now gets some business from some of the children of adult customers.
“Yes, the law now allows minors to enter the bar until 9 P.M. if they are accompanied by an adult. They must sit at a table and aren’t allowed to play pool or darts. They still have fun,” he says. “Problematic behavior has been very rare.”
The eatery has a small but meaningful menu, featuring popular hand-breaded (or grilled) pork tenderloins with homemade honey mustard cooked into the grill along with the half-pound hamburgers.
“We have the best tenderloins in Howard County, and those are the most popular dish on the menu. Half-pound hamburgers would be second,” Richardson says.
Personally, I had their grilled cheese with bacon and loved it. The friend I was with ordered the pork tenderloin and thought it was excellent.
Richardson’s manager, Carol Pennycuff, has been there for 22 years. She has enjoyed working for Richardson.
“He’s probably one of the best people you could work for,” she says. “He’s fair. He listens to you. It’s just been a great 22 years.”
When asked what the biggest challenge is that she has faced in her role over the years, she hesitated before answering.
“Maybe watching people to make sure we don’t overserve,” she says. “Sometimes people get upset over that, but it’s a really big part of the job, and it’s not easy to do.”
Richardson’s youngest daughter, Amy Richardson, has been there for 15 years.
“She’s the assistant manager and works Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights” he says.
What is Amy’s favorite thing about DOMS?
“The people,” she says. “The people and the atmosphere. There is a certain kindness here … we hardly ever have any problems. The community is great.”
Pennycuff also says the people are her favorite part about working at DOMS.
“It would be the customer association and whatnot,” she says. “We have a great time in here.”
As far as standout experiences are concerned, she says, “Oh, that could be any night. Our anniversary parties are always a big to-do, and they’re always a really good time.”
The bar has a reputation for being a safe establishment, and Richardson strives to keep it that way.
“We have had three police calls in the 28 years I’ve owned the place. I’ve never hired a bouncer,” he says. “I have told people that the day I hire a bouncer is the day I’ll put a for-sale sign in the window. I won’t run a place where people don’t feel safe.”
“It’s a nice little hometown bar.”
Indeed it is.
