By Anne Thom

The grand opening of the new Stacy Bar is set for Fri., Nov. 4. Adjustments are being made to meet all code requirements in order to pass inspections. Last week bar manager Kathy Stevens and Stacy Councilman John Walz were working closely with Minnesota Department of Health Inspections to comply with all state requirements for a food and beverage establishment.

Jim Swanberg, the site superintendent and Bruce Paulson, the project architect and the man responsible for the barís design, were on site and seeing to the final details of the construction and design.

The bar is a jewel in the redevelopment of the city. Stacy Mayor Michael Carlson and Stacy Councilman John Walz told the Post Review that no property taxes were raised for the new enterprises. Added Carlson, ìLiquor operations are totally self sustaining.î

The bar is spacious, beautifully decorated and modern, a comfortable place to meet your friends or take your family for food. Stevens has been working on the menu: basic grill fare including burgers, fries and chili. There are 126 seats in the bar and restaurant and plenty of standing room floor space. The hours of operation will be: Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

An additional bartender will be hired as well as a cook and wait staff. Stevens will concentrate on running the bar since the council decided to hire a second manager to run the new liquor store.

Stevens said of her new space ìI love it,î specifically the colors and the updated dÈcor. Marilyn Ruddy, who designed the interior and her assistant Jessie Vogel were on site hanging pictures and assembling seating. Walz said of Ruddy, ìWe did consciously decide we wanted a decorator.î It certainly paid off. Ruddyís company, Designing Woman of Afton, is responsible for the lighting, wall coverings, floor tile, wall hangings, color schemes and set up of tables and chairs among many other things.

New liquor store

Farther west, the new Stacy Liquor Store is moving toward completion and will be opening early in January. The building can be seen from the freeway and is part of the ìHeading North/Heading South Mall,î depending on the direction of the I-35 traveler. The mall name may or may not be permanent. Along with the liquor store, the new construction along the freeway is slated to hold seven other retail or restaurant tenants. The project manager of that site, Jeff Hensel, is seeking a sporting goods business and has reportedly secured a pizza and pasta restaurant. Off-sale liquors meanwhile can be purchased at the Stacy Bar.

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