After over a decade since it opened in downtown Powell, Prohibition Gastro Lounge is changing hands.

Owner Elton Sargent told The Dispatch via text message on Saturday that he is selling the establishment to an undisclosed local company, citing the need for "work-life balance."

"I embedded myself into the business from day one, and you are always working (or) on call," Sargent said in his message.

The new proprietors will take ownership of the gastro pub, located at 21 W. Olentangy St. on Jan. 1, and close for a week to do "some subtle upgrades," Sargent said. Prohibition will reopen on Jan. 8 under the same name.

He declined to divulge the name of the new owners, stating, "They will make their own announcement. I don't want to take that excitement from them doing it their own way."

The sale was announced to patrons on Friday in a post by Sargent on Prohibition's Facebook page. The statement indicated that the current staff would remain employed there.

"While the smiling faces you've gotten to know will be staying onboard, we are excited to see what changes they have in store to push it to the next level," the post reads.

As for his future plans, Sargent stated that he doesn't intend to own another restaurant but wouldn't rule out a small neighborhood bar.

Prohibition opened its doors in October 2014 after extensive renovations to the building, which is now more than 150 years old.