Morning Journal/Larry Shields Auctioneer Russ Kiko said there was a good turnout for Thursday’s auction of the Side Door.

SALEM — The Side Door Restaurant was sold to Dustin Bates, founder and lead vocalist for the rock band Starset out of Columbus, during an absolute auction Thursday.

The Side Door, also known as the Powerhouse Cafe, was sold for $135,000 by Russ Kiko Auction. The bidding started at $50,000.

The business dates back to 1920 and included the bar/restaurant with a D-5 (2:30 a.m. liquor license) and another building just to the north.

Bates, from Salem and was one of the three or four bidders for the business, Kiko said.

The auction was for the main two-story building at 530 S. Broadway that included the turnkey bar/restaurant operation, furniture, a rented upstairs apartment over the night club and a next door warehouse at 508 S. Broadway.

Memorabilia, bar signs, posters, neon light signs, pool table lights, glasses, and other items collected over the years, were sold for about $4,000.

Tonia Gerber, owner of the Side Door until the deal is finalized on Aug. 27, said, “I’m satisfied. Remember, I sold it in 2009 and they didn’t pay.”

She concludes 40 years in the bar business that began when she served her first drink to a customer when she was 15.

“They thought I was 18,” she said, adding, “The two happiest people in the world are the one who buys the bar and the one who sells it.”

Bates said he plans to keep the bar operating and didn’t want to disclose plans for now.

He is also the primary songwriter and keyboardist for Starset whose single cut, “My Demons,” has accumulated over 280 million YouTube views.

In May of 2017, the song “Monster” peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard U.S. mainstream rock songs chart.

He is a 1999 Salem High School graduate where he wrestled, was a member of the Key Club and was on the Academic Challenge team.

Robin Stanley started work at the Side Door three years ago after being a patron for over 30.

“I hope to be working here. This is home for me. I like both sides of it,” she said. “This is a great place. This was an emotional today. I’m happy for Tonia.”

Gerber said, “I want to play with my grandkids and great-grandkids.

“I’m happy it’s gone. I’m not sad, I’m happy and content and I’m happy a young fellow from Salem got it.”

Kiko said, “It was a good auction. I think both are happy. There was a good turn out and there were three or four bidders on the real estate.

“It was a fair price and well attended.”