Tiffin staple Jolly's gets new owner

Dave Spridgeon, owner of The Renaissance of Tiffin and Barrel 51, has announced that he has purchased Jolly's, which is now celebrating 74 years of business. Co-owners Dave and Amber Spridgeon worked with previous owner Diane Hassinger to finalize the sale of the business, which has been with her family for three generations, a release from Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership states. Spridgeon said he has no plans to make any changes to the menu, which will continue to feature Jolly's family recipe ketchup, sloppy joes, chicken, chili, pulled pork and root beer, the release states. Though he does hope to add donuts in January, according to the release. Hassinger's grandparents, Roy and Vivian Jolivette, opened Jolly's in 1947 as an A&W Root Beer stand. Known for its root beer and Coney dogs, the drive-in was located on West Market Street for more than 70 years, the release states. In 2017, Diane, who had taken over the business from her parents, moved Jolly's into the Laird Building in downtown Tiffin after having been selling Jolly's menu items out of a food truck following the sale of the West Market Street property. "I want to thank the community for supporting my family for 74 years by coming to Jolly's," Hassinger is quoted saying in the release. "I'm proud that we were able realize my dream to make our food available year-round and offer indoor dining. "I believe that Dave will continue to honor the Jolly's tradition." In addition to the Renaissance, Spridgeon introduced the Renaissance on Wheels and the Pink Lady food truck in 2020. The Renaissance and Barrel 51, which opened its doors in 2017, recently was named the Heritage Ohio 2021 Main Street Business of the Year. Spridgeon said he hopes to eventually add some of Jolly's offerings at his other businesses, the release states. "The Tiffin community has been so welcoming since I opened my business in 2017, and I'm excited to now be part of the history of Jolly's," Spridgeon is quoted saying. "I'm not only looking forward to continuing the legacy of the Diane's family, but to make new memories with Jolly's for years to come."