A breakfast staple made new

"And now, for something completely different." Such was the catchphrase for the iconic TV series, "Monty Python's Flying Circus." It will be appropriate Monday as well when trEATS Presents One Bowl opens at 115 W. Center St., in Fostoria, with cereal as the front-and-center item on the menu. With plumbing technicalities that delayed the restaurant's debut out of the way, One Bowl co-owners Ed Wonder and Jimmie Zenor invite the public to their grand-opening, scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday and running until midnight. Not coincidentally, it's the birthday of Wonder, who also owns trEATS, a local delivery service. "That's my present to everybody," said Wonder, noting that an opening-day special will be birthday cake flurries for $3. Cereal bars got off the ground in different spots around the country in the early 2000s, but Wonder said he and Zenor will have the only one in Ohio. Fittingly, the impetus for such a local endeavor came about while Wonder and Zenor were sharing a meal at Zenor's house. "We were having dinner," Wonder said. "I said, 'Man, it'd be pretty cool. A cereal bar.' He said, 'Tell me your idea. I'm interested. I love cereal.' I mean, 'Come in and have a bowl of cereal.'" The whimsy that comes with the food theme is reflected in the interior, which includes bright walls, multicolored bar seats and further decor featuring cereal boxes, a play area for young children and a "selfie wall" that allows customers to take photos of themselves with caricatures of the owners painted by Findlay artist Tyler Axline. Other amenities will include several televisions — one of which will always be showing episodes of "The Flintstones" — and Wi-Fi. Zenor said the aim is for both adults and children to consume enjoyable food such as cereal and ice cream in an enjoyable atmosphere that will particularly cater to youngsters. "There's nothing in this town for kids to do — nowhere for parents to take their kids for a whole while unless you go to the (Geary Family YMCA)," he said. "(The restaurant is) clearly kid-oriented — the colors, the pictures, the section for the little kids up front, books, Wi-Fi. And everybody loves cereal. "There's no ice cream in this town in the wintertime at all. We'll have that covered. Hopefully, everybody checks it out and likes what they see." Wonder said One Bowl is beginning with a basic menu of cold cereal with toppings available, as well as flurries, sundaes, cereal bars, milkshakes, parfaits and milkshakes. The owners said a wide variety of cereals and milks will be available. All items have base prices at less than $5. "Right now, we don't have anything that's served hot," Wonder said. "It's all cold-cereal related. But you can just come in and order a bowl of cereal. We've got plenty of options. We'll have dairy-free options for the milk and some keto-friendly cereal. You'll be able to get soy, almond, oat, coconut milk." Added Zenor: "If it's milk or cereal-related, there's a chance we'll make it happen." Wonder said the pair plan to make additions to the menu, including some hot breakfast foods, along with donuts. The restaurant will offer homemade versions of Rice Krispies Treats from the start, he said. The owners said they also intend to host various events for people to enjoy. "The thing I'd like to just tell people is everybody come check it out at least once," Wonder said. "Just come check it out. Come take a picture on our selfie wall." After Monday's grand opening, One Bowl is scheduled to be open every day of the week beginning at 7 a.m. Closing times have yet to be determined.