The Dam Creek Bar in Beaver Creek has been open since April 14, and the new owners are pleased with business so far.
“It’s been wonderful,” said one of the owners, Earl Vanden Bussche, Beaver Creek. “Our customers, our friends, the community — they’ve all be great.”
Vanden Bussche is a newcomer to bar ownership, but he’s no stranger to hard work.
He farmed for 21 years, worked at Hills Stainless Steel for 15 years and for the past seven years he’s been at Fleetpride, Sioux Falls, where he still works 28 hours a week.
“I’m enjoying it,” he said about his new venture. “It took some time getting used to being on this side of the bar, but I get a chance to talk to everyone now.”
He shares bar ownership with Marci Lee and Wade Hofer, Valley Springs, who had worked together for 10 years in the Valley Corner Bar.
They reopened the former Beaver Bar, which had been closed since Oct. 1, 2015.
Lee, who has 29 years of experience at the bar in Valley Springs, knew what she was getting into she decided to open the Beaver Creek bar with Hofer and Vanden Bussche.
“It’s just more relaxed now,” she said about being her own boss.
And she added that the business opened amid plenty of local support.
“Thanks to all our friends old and new for their support and patience,” Lee said.
“The town of Beaver Creek has been awesome. They’ve been asking if we need anything … They’ve been so helpful.”
The bar opens at 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and Friday and Saturday the hours are 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Pizza and microwave sandwiches are available.
The owners are working on a new logo for the bar and would appreciate suggestions from the community.
The phone number for Up the Dam Creek is 673-2528.