Vivir Modern Mexican to offer 3rd ghost tour

There will probably be some spirits hanging out downtown next week — the kind that come in a cup as well as the kind that are out for some pre-Halloween fun. Vivir Modern Mexican, 119 E. Crawford St., will host its third Haunted Downtown Margarita Walking Tour on Oct. 26. A total of four excursions will be offered — two at 6:30 and two at 8:30 p.m. "We get a lot of the same people every year because they're really excited, whether it's the information or just because we always do a very unique margarita," said owner Joseph Rowan. He said one time they create a blood orange and sage simple syrup margarita with a black salt rim, "just to kind of play and lean into the whole spirits kind of thing." Rowan collaborated with staff at the Hancock Historical Museum to offer the tours. "So it worked out really well because they're extremely informed on all this stuff. They've got background information. They've got basically everything you need so we're excited," he said. "We split contributions to kind of help them out as well." Rowan said the tours get people out and walking. The restaurant has also offered historical tours and a historical architectural tour. Joy Bennett, curator and archivist at the museum, puts the information together. "People are shocked by it because everyone kind of thinks of Findlay as this conservative, maybe prudish, non-progressive place instead of a place that tries new things," he said. "And then when they listen to the history, wow, it's totally opposite. Like the courthouse is built on the fines from prostitution." In fact, the restaurant is located in a building that once was a brothel with hidden staircases, he said. Findlay also had 80-some bars downtown at one point. "It's just been awesome to get people out and explore more of the history downtown," he said. The cost for the tour is $25 per person and will happen rain or shine. Attendees who want a margarita should come 10 minutes prior to their tour time. If they want to eat, attendees should allow an extra hour. People can also just take the tour which lasts 45 minutes to an hour. Rowan said he and his wife have done historical tours in many larger cities in the United States. "Pretty much everywhere that has DORA, somebody is taking advantage of it with tours. Just being able to explore downtown is great," he said. He said the ghost tours tend to offer the best history. "I'm not a big spirit believer, but it's like there's never any new ghosts. It's always really old ghosts," he said. "We wanted to bring it to Findlay to experience bigger city stuff. And it's a good thing to lead into Halloween." To order tickets, visit https://order.toasttab.com/online/vivir-modern-mexican-119-e-crawford-st and choose the promotions tab and purchase your ticket, making sure to note the time. Keep the receipt from the purchase to verify the ticket.