SALEM — BB Rooners, a sports bar staple the past 37 plus years in downtown Salem, closed until further notice after hosting patrons for one last night of fun Monday, with owner Roy Paparodis saying so long for now.

“I’m basically retiring from the restaurant business,” Paparodis said Tuesday. “We are closed until further notice.”

The two-term current Columbiana County commissioner has been working in the restaurant business for most of his life as a member of the Paparodis family, former owners of the Timberlanes hotel, restaurant and catering center where he grew up learning from his father, Soph.

Paparodis served as CEO and President from 1988 to December 2002 before selling Timberlanes and then opening Soffo’s Cafe in Boardman, which he later sold. He also managed the Guilford Lake Grille and the Youngstown Country Club. Then came the opportunity to buy the popular BB Rooners from the Engle family as co-owner with his son, Soph, his father’s namesake, in 2018.

His son served as manager, but now Paparodis said his son is pursuing a whole different career. The business has been up for sale for a few months, now listed with Platz. Paparodis said he has some potential buyers lined up but the business has not been sold yet.

“I will make sure the new owner or new company is someone who will be a good fit for Salem,” he said.

If the business isn’t sold, he said he may look at a lease option or a limited partnership.

The restaurant employed about 20 full-time and part-time workers.

“It was a great run,” Paparodis said. “A lot of people were feeling sentimental Monday night.”

He was thankful for his employees and the regular customers who called BB Rooners home.

“I appreciate their patronage and their support,” he said.

Paparodis mentioned during the commissioners’ meeting Tuesday morning that he would have more free time, announcing that BB Rooners was closed. His wife, Terri, already retired earlier this year from the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The restaurant’s address is 256 E. State St., Salem and includes an outdoor patio and a D-5 liquor license.