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Minster Knights of Columbus members stand proudly behind the fully-restored bar at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Minster. They celebrated the 90th anniversary of Wonder Bar on Sunday morning with an open house showing off the building and original bar.
MINSTER - Shortly after the end of Prohibition, socialites enjoyed a grand ol' time at a swinging little joint called Wonder Bar, taking in the sounds and sights of big bands and floor shows while tipping back a Pink Lady, Royal Fizz, Gin Buck or Cuba Libra, stylish drinks costing 20-35 cents apiece.
Dancing was scheduled every Thursday-, Saturday- and Sunday night. Club admission was waived on Thursday nights.
Jitterbugs tore up the dance floor to the likes of Piqua's very own The Mills Brothers, also known as Four Guys and a Guitar; Mike Hauer Featuring That Sophisticated Lady of Song Roberta; Mel Snyder and His Gold Coast Orchestra; and Don Maines and his Cocoanut Grove Orchestra, according to advertisements in The Minster Post from the 1930s-'40s.
The original Wonder Bar, which is now the Knights of Columbus building in Minster.
Minster Historical Society
Wonder Bar opened on New Year's Eve in 1935, costing owner and manager Frank Bernhold $30,000, history assembled by the 2158 Home Corporation, an entity that operates and maintains the Minster Knights of Columbus Hall, shows.
A contemporaneous article in The Minster Post boasted that the bar's opening would be "a big time, if present indications are of any consequences in determining this future event."
Dances were to be held Dec. 28-29, 1935, but the article's author promised "the really big night" would take place New Year's Eve.
"The Harold Greenameyer orchestra will furnish the music while Harry Kahn, of Wapakoneta, will act as the master of ceremonies," the article reads. "Tickets for the opening are on sale at Robert Laut's filling station in Minster and they should be purchased within the next two days."
A holiday advertisement for the Wonder Bar during World War II.
Wonder Bar underwent a series of ownership changes before eventually being deeded to the Minster Knights of Columbus, Father Andrew Kunkler Council 2158, in April 1948.
The acquisition "must be considered a momentous event in the history of the council," reads the Minster Knights of Columbus 100th anniversary book published in 2020, adding that the building was purchased for $20,000, with seller "Mr. Hemmert" retaining a lease to hold dances on Saturday evenings.
"Historical records show that the Knights already had a strong relationship with Brother Hemmert, the owner of the 'WONDER BAR,' for we were having weekly bingo and sponsoring dances at this hall under the auspices of the Knights of Columbus," the book reads.
The Minster Knights of Columbus, Father Andrew Kunkler Council 2158, in April 1948 purchased the former Wonder Bar, which has been their home ever since.
On Jan. 1, 1971, the 2158 Home Corporation was formed, assuming the property and debt and later undertaking substantial building renovations, additions and upgrades, including a 2020 project entailing remodeling to the front lobby, stage area and meeting room, and new lighting and fresh paint throughout the entire hall, the book notes.
In addition to hosting Knights of Columbus events, the building opens its doors for fundraisers and community endeavors and is available for booking for weddings, special events, celebrations and corporate events.
"It's just part of the community," said Minster Knights of Columbus member Steve Heitkamp.
The 2158 Home Corporation celebrated the 90th anniversary of Wonder Bar on Sunday morning with an open house showing off the building and original bar that has undergone restoration and upgrades, now exuding an air of style, class and impeccable artistry.
Fully restored to its 1930s grandeur, with an added touch of modernity via LED lighting that can set the area aglow in various colors, the bar is the "icing on the cake," said Minster Knights of Columbus Deputy Grand Knight Christian Boehnlein about building improvements made over the last few years.
The bar overhaul was carried out by Homan Interiors, cabinets and countertops; Frilling Construction, framing and drywall; Tom & Jerry's, plumbing; Forty Nine Degrees, Wonder Bar sign replica for the new back part of the bar; and Borchers Family Floor Center, flooring.
"It started to look kind of run down - I mean, it's almost 100 years old," Boehnlein told The Daily Standard. "So they basically refinished all the art deco woodwork."
The fully-restored Wonder Bar sign at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Minster. in a concession to modernity, LED lighting was added behind the sign
Save for the contemporary lighting flourish, the bar looks "identical to when it opened up," Boehnlein insisted.
And the newly installed back bar - with new sinks, ice well and other improvements to help keep the libations flowing freely- has an art deco aesthetic and breathtaking wood work mirroring the vintage front bar.
"So we went with the same art deco style in the back so that it would match the time (period), so it almost looks as if it's original," Boehnlein said. "That's all brand new lighting and then it can be different colors if people want to have a certain theme for an event."
Since making its debut, the bar has really given the building a wow factor and elicited positive feedback.
"There's a lot of really good reactions. (Some) people didn't know you could make cabinetry like this anymore. Nobody's going to put that in their home, necessarily, but it's really neat for a historically matching piece," Boehnlein said. "So yeah, lots and lots of compliments … of having something like that in a smaller town, (that) you usually have to go to a city to find something like this."
2158 Home Corporation hopes the upgrades and improvements will help expand the appeal of the building for people looking to book a venue which Boehnlein said can serve up to about 450 people.
"The renovated bar brings elegance to weddings and indeed all future events that will be held in the hall," 2158 Home Corporation Board President Steve Gruber said in a statement.
