Located on the east bank of the scenic Chagrin River in Eastlake, Ohio, Chagrin Tavern pairs great food
with a welcoming atmosphere. Guests can enjoy an unobstructed view of the river from its location near
the shores of Lake Erie, just outside of Cleveland, Ohio. The tavern features large roll-up doors that face
the riverfront, blending the indoor bar seamlessly with the outdoor patio dining area. These doors not only
offer photo-worthy views for guests, but also make it easier for staff to deliver meals between the kitchen
and the outdoor patio.
With an increasing number of patrons prioritizing the overall dining experience, Chagrin Tavern
recognized the need for a solution that would allow them to keep doors open without compromising
comfort or efficiency. According to 2024 research from Toast, the restaurant management software
provider, more than half of diners surveyed reported that they were more likely to choose a restaurant
with outdoor seating, and 70% of respondents said they were willing to wait longer for outdoor seating.
Additionally, the National Restaurant Association’s State of the Restaurant Industry 2025 report found that
64% of full-service customers value the dining experience more than the price of the meal.
While open doors enrich the dining experience and aid restaurant workflow, they also introduce
challenges. Flying insects can enter the restaurant, fluctuating outdoor temperatures often limit seasonal
use of the patio, and energy costs rise as heating and cooling systems compensate for the loss of heated
and cooled air.
The Challenge
Chagrin Tavern faced several common yet critical issues for restaurants trying to maximize their outdoor
and open-air dining potential. The open roll-up doors, while ideal for ambiance and employee operations,
made indoor areas vulnerable to insects and difficult to maintain at a comfortable temperature during
shoulder seasons. This, in turn, led to increased energy usage and operating costs. The patio often had
to be closed during early spring or late fall due to inconsistent outdoor temperatures. The HVAC system
had to work harder to maintain appropriate indoor temperatures.
These concerns sparked a conversation between tavern owner Mike Huffman and Bruce Botchick of 72
Degrees Heating in Mentor, Ohio, the HVAC contractor for the Chagrin Tavern project. Huffman wanted to
preserve the open-air feel between the bar and the patio without sacrificing climate control. Botchick
proposed a solution: Berner air curtains.
The Berner Solution
Botchick introduced Huffman to Mussun Sales, a local Berner representative and HVAC product expert.
The final solution was the installation of five Berner model Architectural Elite 10 air curtains that span the
tavern’s large riverfront opening. These included three 12-foot-wide units placed above the roll-up doors,
and two 3-foot-wide units above the conventional man doors on each side.
The air curtains create an invisible barrier of air that helps maintain interior temperatures while allowing
the doors to remain fully open. This design minimizes heating and cooling losses, significantly reducing
energy costs. Additionally, the air curtains provide chemical-free insect control by deterring flying insects
such as mosquitoes, flies, and yellow jackets.
Designed specifically for high-visibility, customer-facing environments, the Architectural Elite series offers
quiet operation, advanced functionality, and a sleek aesthetic. The units at Chagrin Tavern were finished
in a dark bronze color to match the building’s decor. Each unit is equipped with Berner’s 10-speed digital
Intelliswitch™ controller, allowing precise control over airflow. The system is also outfitted with smart
technology, enabling remote access and adjustments via tablet or smartphone.
Results
“The air curtains allow us to keep the doors open on both hot days and cool days,” said Huffman. Thanks
to their low sone levels, the air curtains are barely noticeable from the bar or adjacent tables, maintaining
the tavern’s relaxing and open ambiance.
Chagrin Tavern has realized significant energy savings as a result of the air curtain installation. The ability
to keep the doors open without compromising indoor climate control has eliminated spikes in energy costs
during the outdoor patio season. The air curtains also allow the restaurant to extend the outdoor and
semi-outdoor dining season well beyond the summer months—into early spring and late fall.
Guests now enjoy a consistent and comfortable environment, whether seated indoors or outdoors. On hot
days, the bar remains cool and inviting while offering unobstructed views of passing boats. On cooler
evenings, the indoor area stays warm and cozy, complemented by patio heaters outside. Staff can move
freely between the patio and the bar to serve food and drinks without opening or closing doors, improving
workflow and customer service.
For boaters on the Chagrin River, the open doors make the tavern more visible and inviting. Boaters are
able to dock and walk right up to the open-air space, contributing to a steady stream of customers
throughout the warmer months.
Huffman concluded, “The air curtains look great and do precisely what they were intended to do.” The
successful integration of Berner’s Architectural Elite air curtains has helped Chagrin Tavern achieve its
operational goals while enriching the customer experience, serving as a strong example of the positive
impact air curtain technology can have on the restaurant industry.
For more details, visit www.berner.com.
ABOUT BERNER AIR CURTAINS
Headquartered in New Castle, Pennsylvania, Berner International combines engineering expertise, state-
of-the-art equipment, and highly skilled workers to design and produce the most efficient, best looking,
reliable air curtains on the market. Their strong commitment to listening to their customers and solving
their problems has established Berner International as the leader in the air curtain market. In business for
over 65 years, Berner has a reputation for customer service, innovation, quality, and performance, and is
proud to be a leader in systems that save energy and create healthy, comfortable environments. The
company employs 135 people in both New Castle, PA., and Montreal, Canada. Learn more at
www.berner.com
ABOUT MUSSUN SALES
Headquartered in Cleveland Ohio, Mussun Sales is a manufacturer’s representative and distributor for the
premier heating, ventilating, and air conditioning products in the HVAC industry. Mussun was founded in
1951 by William G. Mussun, Jr. with a sales office for a half-dozen product lines in the Hanna Building in
downtown Cleveland.
ABOUT 72 DEGREES HEATING
The Mentor, Ohio, contracting company has served the Cleveland area since 1991. With a specialty in
understanding Ohio winters, they have serviced properties in Mentor, Cleveland, Medina, Cuyahoga and
Summit Counties and other nearby areas.
ABOUT CHAGRIN TAVERN
Chagrin Tavern, 196 E. Island Dr., Eastlake, was opened by Mike Huffman in 2020. The popular riverfront
tavern was purchased by Chris Hammer in August 2023. The tavern is a family-friendly restaurant and bar
located on the Chagrin River.