The Mason Jar's Owner: Matt Brown
New Small Business on the Block: The Mason Jar Steakhouse
Tucked into the heart of downtown Wapakoneta, Ohio, The Mason Jar Steakhouse is more than just a new restaurant—it’s a reflection of a small town growing while holding onto its roots. On a Monday evening, I found myself stepping into the newly opened space for a crisp Pepsi Zero, curious about the new space and what new owner and friend turned this space into! Located at 15 Perry Street in Wapakoneta’s historic district, The Mason Jar Steakhouse isn’t just a place to eat—it reflects the heartbeat of a community built on connection and support. Small towns like Wapakoneta aren’t sustained by big chains or passing trends—they’re built on people. From local families to lifelong residents, the key to success of any small business.
A Space with a Story
While The Mason Jar is new, the building itself holds years of memories. Like many in Wapakoneta, I’ve experienced it through different seasons—hosting a bridal shower upstairs, sitting down for meals when it housed past restaurants, and always noticing the little details that make it unique. The leopard carpet? Hard to forget—very vintage. The upstairs ballroom? Absolutely stunning—like something straight out of Bridgerton. When you walk in, you’ll notice donated sports equipment from local Wapakoneta teams, a beautiful but relaxed dining area, a stunning bar, and enough TVs to catch the game.
Meet the Owner of The Mason Jar Steakhouse
Matt Brown, the new owner, shared his vision for The Mason Jar. After talking with people in the community and friends, he realized the town was craving something different. But more than that, as a father of two, he understood how chaotic life can feel during sports seasons—running from practice to games, with little time left to think about dinner. Having previously run a food truck serving smash burgers at The Refinery, Matt saw just how much people appreciated something quick, quality, and close to home. That’s what ultimately led him to take the leap—creating The Mason Jar as a space where busy families can slow down for a moment, grab a reliable meal, and feel taken care of, even on their busiest nights.
His goal? To see every seat filled, welcome families, and offer good quality food at an affordable price in a relaxed, easy going atmosphere. In his words, Come for your anniversary, come with friends, come for the game, to celebrate the wins—or even losses! Opening The Mason Jar and seeing it succeed means everything, and the support from the community has been nothing short of amazing. The Mason Jar is also planning to renovate the old ballroom on the second floor for events and catering. Matt’s favorite menu item? Surf and turf!
And the rest of the menu is just as tempting—from cheese curds, to smash burgers, to steak—it’ll make your stomach rumble just reading it. Oh, and the Pepsi was nice and cold!
In a town where history lives on every street corner, each new business becomes part of that story. Now, at 15 Perry Street, a new chapter is being written—one meal, one conversation, and one gathering at a time for all of life's chapters. The Mason Jar Steakhouse feels like the kind of place you walk into once—and then find yourself coming back to without thinking twice.
I hope to see The Mason Jar become a place with every seat filled, good people, and meaningful moments—a place where you can put your phone down, look around, and truly enjoy the company you’re in, before the moment passes by. Thanks for the tour, Matt!
