June 1st Marks the Opening of a new restaurant in Downtown Frankfort. Live Radio Broadcast on Opening Day.
Frankfort’s downtown square will welcome a new dining and entertainment destination on June 1, when Nickel and Rye Pub and Eatery opens its doors at the former Johnny V’s location. Owner Brady Martin, a Frankfort and Clinton County native, will schedule a ribbon-cutting ceremony soon with the Chamber of Commerce. Nickel and Rye Pub and Eatery will host a live WILO/Boone 102.5 FM radio broadcast June 1st from 4 to 6 p.m. Reservations for the new Clinton County Restaurant opens this Friday.
The ‘Nickel and Rye’ opening caps a concept four to five years in the making and marks Martin’s second restaurant venture. He also owns 1830 Chop House at 111 West Main Street in downtown Lebanon, Indiana, which is open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday through Saturday until 10 p.m.
“Creating a table for the community – a place where everybody can come and break bread, share a story, make a memory and have a laugh,” Martin said when describing his vision for the new establishment.
A Name Rooted in Local History
The restaurant’s name was chosen deliberately. “Nickel” pays tribute to the Nickel Plate Railroad, a line with deep ties to the region, while “Rye” nods to Indiana’s agricultural heritage and its whiskey-making tradition. That connection to local identity carries through the interior design as well.
The building, constructed in 1880, has been renovated with fresh paint, new floors, and murals depicting Frankfort’s history and landmark businesses, including Glover’s Ice Cream and Newell Gas. A local map mural and railroad artifacts donated by Frankfort attorney David Little round out the historical theme. Martin worked with Gio at Freckles Graphics of Lafayette on the wall art and murals, and made a deliberate effort to rely on Frankfort-based contractors and vendors throughout the project.
“Working in a historic 1880 building is the biggest challenge,” Martin acknowledged. “The electrical wiring and infrastructure present real hurdles you just don’t face in a newer space.”
Food, Drink, and Entertainment
Nickel and Rye will open with more than 35 menu items, a number Martin expects to grow by September. The pub-style menu includes seven appetizer options – among them onion rings and pretzels – along with burgers, wraps, hot dogs, sandwiches, and paninis. Signature offerings include a hand-battered house-recipe catfish dinner and two steak options. Desserts will feature Glover’s Ice Cream. The full menu will be available until midnight; an appetizer menu will carry service through closing.
Hours for Nickel and Rye, scheduled to open Monday June 1, will initially be Sunday through Thursday until 1 a.m. and Friday through Saturday until 3 a.m. The building is divided into a restaurant side and a bar and pub side. Upstairs, a gaming area features five dartboards and two pool tables. A back event center is also part of the space but will not be ready at opening.
Community Response
Martin said the community’s reaction has been the most exciting part of the lead-up to opening day. A Facebook page launched over Mother’s Day weekend grew from 36 followers to approximately 1,200 in under 48 hours. Currently the Facebook Page for Nickel & Rye is at 1.4K as of publishing time. When Martin held open interviews for staff positions, 70 people showed up – far exceeding the 15 to 20 applicants he typically sees at his Lebanon restaurant.
Martin, who was born and raised in Clinton County before moving away around age 10, spent years in West Lafayette before recently returning to the family home. He said coming back and investing in downtown Frankfort felt like a natural next step.
“This is home,” Martin said. “I wanted to build something here that the community could be proud of.”
Martin worked closely with Frankfort Main Street throughout the planning process and praised the organization’s director, Kim Stevens, for her support during development.
For reservations, visit the Nickel and Rye Pub and Eatery Facebook page or check back when the reservations tab opens this Friday, May 22.
The June 1 ribbon cutting time will be announced soon and broadcast and published by Kaspar Media. Cindy Loveless will host a WILO 96.9 FM/1570 AM/ Boone 102.7 FM remote broadcast at Nickel & Rye with fun giveaways on June 1st from 4pm to 6pm.
