Jay Snyder has worked at the Bonfire restaurant for most of his life.
Born and raised in Allegheny Township, Snyder, 59, began working at the restaurant when he was 14 after his parents, Patty and Jerry, bought it in 1981 from the Mannarino family.
Snyder can’t help but reminisce about his days in the restaurant as he prepares to say goodbye after selling it to Chelsea and Matt Nasetka, both of Allegheny Township.
“We’re just the caretakers of the Bonfire,” is a regular phrase in Snyder’s family.
He decided it was time to pass the torch to a new family.
“We were the caretakers of the place,” Snyder said. “I don’t think we ever considered ourselves the owners. We were the caretakers until the next adventure the Bonfire can be in.”
That adventure has come.
A family affair
For 45 years, Snyder; his brother, Corey; and his parents dedicated their lives to giving their customers good experiences. Snyder’s father died in 2014. His brother died in 2020.
While they had no prior experience running a restaurant, Snyder said his family ran Allegheny Township eatery with a few rules in mind. The first was lead by example.
They also made sure to remain accessible to their customers and workers.
“There was always one of us in the building,” Snyder said.
Snyder said his father taught him to walk women customers to their cars if they felt unsafe at night, get bar patrons a ride if they needed one and to treat every customer like an old friend.
Continuing the legacy, Snyder said the restaurant has been a loyal supporter of the community. He and his wife hosted annual fundraiser events, including a pig roast to benefit Shriners Children’s Hospital. They also have hosted car shows and bike nights each week.
Community love
The Snyder’s work did not go unnoticed.
In 2024, their home burned to the ground. “Everyone from the restaurant’s community came to help,” Snyder said.
Donations were set up, benefits were held and the Bonfire saw more customers than ever in an effort to get the Snyders back on their feet. Snyder said a group of local business owners helped him salvage what they could, then raze the rest of his home.
“It was all from this little community,” Snyder said. “I’ve been a very lucky man.”
That very same community was how Snyder met the Nasetkas.
Chelsea Nasetka has known Snyder for nine years. She met him through her husband, Matt, who has known Snyder for 15 years from being a regular Bonfire customer.
She said Snyder approached them at the end of July about buying the restaurant. By September, the couple had pulled the trigger and started the ownership transition.
“We were absolutely honored,” Nasetka said. “The place itself is rare. To be the owner of an established business is an absolute honor.”
While they don’t have experience owning a restaurant, either, Nasetka has worked in almost every other capacity in the restaurant industry from bartending and cooking, to managing and catering. She and her husband have made some cosmetic changes to the bar and restaurant. They’re also looking into adding entertainment and events for the restaurant’s bar.
Nasetka said the sale of the restaurant should be final by the end of February.
“We’ve had just an outpouring of support,” Nasetka said about the community. “We understand the culture behind what Bonfire is. … I don’t think I can express our gratitude for Jay enough.”
What’s next
“I’ve been there 45 years, since I was 14, and working most of my life,” Snyder said. “I was just looking for some time for me to spend time with my wife (Tracy) and my mother.”
Snyder and his wife are planning to travel in their free time. He’ll be continuing his hobby of building trucks.
Snyder said he’ll miss the customers and employees the most.
Bonfire’s 30 employees will be sticking with the Nasetkas in the transition. Snyder plans to stick around the restaurant for a bit during that time. The Nasetkas are planning to fully take over in March.
Until then, Snyder has been teaching the Nasetkas the ins and outs of the restaurant, including recipes for Bonfire’s Famous Fish Sandwich and ranch dressing.
“I will dearly miss everyone from here,” Snyder said. “I’ve been here since I was 14. I don’t know any different. Walking away is going to be tough.”