Hines Ward Getting Into Restaurant Business With Table 86 In Seven Fields
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- His specialty was making incredible catches as a Pittsburgh Steeler.
But now, Hines Ward will be focusing on the catch of the day, as well as salads, burgers, steaks and wines featuring his name. The retired wide receiver is going into the restaurant business in a big way.
Howard Shiller put Jerome Bettis in the restaurant business on the North Shore; now Shiller is behind getting Ward's identity all over the old Siba restaurant in Seven Fields.
"He's got a great reputation in Pittsburgh and a great reputation with the fans, and that brings a lot to the community," said Shiller.
Young's 2 Barbershop is downstairs from the restaurant.
"It's very exciting," said the barbershop's Carla Conway. "We're hearing a lot of people talking about it and it's a big buzz around here."
"The name might get them in the door the first time, but if you don't have good food and service and a good vibe in the restaurant, they are not going to come back," says Shiller.
The restaurant will change from Siba to Table 86, not a sports bar, but a moderately-priced restaurant with a sports tone and menu items ending in 86 cents.
"I think it's great," says David Bochna, of Seven Fields. "It will be nice to have a restaurant open up here. We mostly have fast food, now could have a sit down place."
But the venture doesn't stop at Table 86. Next door, the former Bohemian Bistro will transform into Vines by Hines Ward.
"That's going to be a casual wine bar that will feature small plates and tapas plates, fruit and cheese plates," Shiller says.
And they are scouting for a local wine.
"That we can put a Hines Ward label on, and we're looking for a Napa Valley wine we can label as well," Shiller says.
If all goes as planned the doors to Table 86 will open sometime around the first part of August, just in time for football season.
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