Ben Richmond – A Day At The Bay | Rare Print, Exquisite Frame

Ben Richmond was an artist in Marblehead, Ohio who established a business named Richmond Galleries in 1981. Largely known for his distinctive art style depicting local nautical life, such as the Marblehead lighthouse, or locations on Put-In-Bay.

In 2001, he produced a piece of art titled “A Day At The Bay”. There is a certificate of authenticity that is included with this artwork. The owner had this professionally framed and kept it in superb condition.

The History of Frosty’s is included on the backside of the authenticity certificate.

Frame: 31″ x 25″

Art: 22″ x 16″

Frosty’s, a popular Put-In-Bay restaurant and tavern, started out as a dry goods store and ice cream parlor when it was built in 1911 by Carl Oelschalger. The downtown’s only brick commercial building still has its original pressed tin ceiling, blue glass block storefront and leaded glass transom windows. The building’s structure for the most part is original.

Once owned by island businessman Charles “Chick” Linker, it was known as Linker’s Saloon in the late 1930’s and mid 1940’s, and featured a bank of one-armed bandits. The building sat empty for several years during the late 1940’s.

Romer and Louise Stoiber purchased the business in 1949 and opened Stoiber’s Restaurant. It later became Frosty’s after Loise vacationed in Florida and was served orange juice in a frosted glass. The Stoibers also sold large dill pickles, pickled eggs and barbecue sandwiches at the bar. Frosty’s has continued the practice of serving cold draft beer in frosted mugs and you will still find the large glass jar of whole pickles on the bar.

Romer and Louise’s children, George and Dorthy, operated the business together for several years in the early 1970’s. The business name changed to Frosty Bar and Frosty Family Pizza, but it is still referred to by local and weekend regulars as simply Frosty’s. George and his wife, June, have owned and operated the business since the early 1970’s. Together they expanded the pizza restaurant and added a full service family-style breakfast in 1979.

In 1999, the Stoiber’s celebrated Frosty’s 50th anniversary and the third generation stepped forward to continue the family’s leadership. George and June’s children, Kimberly and Ryan, are currently managing the business their grandparents started in 1949.