JUNGLE JIM'S OSCAR EVENT CENTER

The Oscar Event Center at Jungle Jim's | Meet Oscar

'Jungle' Jim Bonaminio has built his empire on the words, "I wish your store carried". Since the beginning back in 1971 (before landing at our current location), Jungle has been listening to his customers. It first started in Produce with customers saying, "I wish you had milk and bread," so he did. This process continues today with the result being the 300,000 square foot retail store of Jungle Jim's International Market. Following this trend, Jungle began to hear, "I wish you had a place for us to have parties and meetings." As you wish… The Oscar Event Center was born.

When designing the event center, Jungle took into consideration what people didn't like about other 'reception halls': People felt closed in because the ceilings were low and there weren't any windows. The halls were bland and needed a lot of decoration to provide atmosphere and the right feel. So Jungle built an event center with high ceilings, a balcony overlooking the store and windows looking outside and into the two-story wine cellar. The décor is fabulous and incorporates many items Jungle has collected over the years.

Most of what you see in the event center is recycled. The wooden beams on the ceiling as well as the bricks used in the Wine Cellar are from The Hamilton Stove Factory. When the building was torn down, Jungle purchased three truckloads of beams which are used in the event center and in the store. As you look in the Pub, the rectangular wooden blocks surrounding the huge beer kegs are from Tennessee. The State of Tennessee had used them on guardrails along the highways and recently decided to use round blocks instead. Jungle purchased the old style rectangle blocks and is using them not only in the Pub, but in other areas of the store as well.

The glass doors going to the balcony overlooking the store and the doors going out to the Monorail Terrace are from an old wood shop that was located behind Jolly’s Restaurant’s original home on Route 4 in Fairfield, Ohio. The doors were destined for a prominent book store but they changed their mind and Jungle purchased them instead.

The best history lies in the monorail itself. The monorail was used as a ride at Paramount's King's Island. When they were ready to move to newer rides, they called Jungle who ended up paying them one dollar for the monorail. Of course, he’s invested many more dollars into moving, repairing and getting the monorail ready to go. The monorail is now up and running, and waiting to transport guests from the outer parking lot to the Monorail Terrace.

So when you come to The Oscar Event Center, look around. There’s a lot of history and 'Jungle' Jim Bonaminio everywhere you look. Every vantage point can easily transform from exspansive vistas to charming spaces with dramatic window framed views, private pub settings or rooms resplendent with possibilities. Whatever you want your event to "do"...it can be done at Oscar! Call Oscar today to begin planning your next event, meeting, or celebration. We look forward to exceeding your expectations! Go from ordinary to extraordinary with Oscar.

Oscar is your Event Destination - where your dreams can come true. Come meet Oscar.