Bozeman's Fletcher Family
Pub Date: 1/1/2003
Perhaps it doesn't make a lot of sense: a Helena native earns a degree in English with a history minor at MSU in Bozeman, teaches summer school, does a stint in the army, becomes credit manager and director of social services at a hospital...then opens a bar and restaurant.
Sensible or not, that's what he did.
It soon became apparent Bob Fletcher's first foray into the hospitality business a place called Hipshot's was going nowhere and he got out "while the gittin' was good."
What may be an even more unlikely scenario is that Bozeman's Fletcher after then managing local radio station KXXL for five years opened another bar in 1979, this time called Mother's Saloon. "Success" was again elusive and he sold it in 1981.
But Fletcher must have a stubborn streak a mile wide because by 1982, after risking $46,000 and coming out on top of 13 competing applications, he was awarded a new all-beverage license.
With considerable additional investment and the help of his wife, Kathy, and after painstakingly refurbishing a building and a classic 1890s back bar originally from the old Dutch Inn in Butte, they were back in business.
"We did all the remodeling between my wife and myself because we had no money," Fletcher recalls. "Like a lot of small business ventures, this was built on hard work."
Discouraged with his earlier experiences catering to the college crowd, Fletcher says his establishment now relies heavily on downtown Bozeman business owners, managers and workers to fill the stools and tables.
On Dec. 7, 2004, "The Cannery" designed around a theme celebrating a venerable and economically important pea cannery in Bozeman's past celebrated its 22nd birthday.
In 1995, Fletcher obtained the building next door, remodeled it and opened a grill called Burger Bob's, renowned for "having the best hamburgers in town, bar none," according to another downtown Bozeman business owner. The eatery has a smoke-free policy.
But the bar business in the early 1980s was tough and getting tougher. Stiffer penalties and stronger social resistance to alcohol-related infractions, especially driving under the influence, was driving a steady decline in revenues and the business.
Taverns have long been the social centers of many especially the smaller Montana communities and the time's movers and shakers determined some action was needed to stop the slide of the "mom 'n' pop" saloons into oblivion.
Fletcher more widely known simply as "Fletch" joined others on a commission created by then-Gov. Ted Schwinden to devise the means to keep these small businesses afloat.
One idea that came out of the commission's deliberations was to legalize limited gaming in taverns.
Most gambling had been illegal in Montana since territorial days, but gambling was prevalent in some venues as an unregulated, untaxed activity that benefited some bar owners but provided unfair competition for others.
And while The Cannery relies primarily on the sale of adult beverages augmented by revenue from Burger Bob's, Fletcher says the five gaming machines in his establishment provide a vital source of revenue, as well as an entertainment option his customers demand.
"Gaming keeps these businesses alive," he says, "and it allows us to sell adult beverages with reasonable restraint.
"If these entertainment choices for my adult customers were eliminated, it would hurt me and my employees. Those who enjoy it would go out of town to play. Bozeman would lose millions of dollars.
"Before the legislature legalized the machines, there was illegal gambling in some places, big-time gambling. There were a lot of problems. By legalizing it, We're policing it and the taxpayer gets a break.
"Legalized gambling does what it was meant to do," he says. "We're right about where we should be" in terms of numbers of licensed establishments and allowed machines per location both of which are limited under law. "Our businesses are sponsoring programs to help the few who have problems controlling their gambling," he notes.
Besides beverage, food, and gaming machines, a steady stream of promotions Cat/Griz contests, St. Patrick's Day, even Accountants' Day helps build traffic and keeps the 34 employees hustling.
The business' income keeps the Fletchers in a comfortable lifestyle while affording them the opportunity to support youth-related activities such as youth baseball (Fletcher has coached, too) as well as MSU Bobcat Boosters.
Fletcher estimates the business contributes annually at least $30,000 for various local charitable causes.
When he's not taking a shift at The Cannery, you might find "Fletch" and Kathy cutting hay or feeding black baldy commercial cattle on their small spread west of Bozeman.
"The ranch is a business, too, but that's not where the income comes from," he says with a laugh.
He and Kathy and their children, Tana, and son, Dane, enjoy roping, athletics and hunting and fishing. Both children have worked many years in the family business.
Fletcher describes wife Kathy as "a dedicated stay-at-home mom," though he admits she works as hard as anyone running the domestic side of the family operations, not to mention keeping the books for the businesses.
"The Cannery is the 'Cheers' of Bozeman," Fletcher says he has been told repeatedly. "We have a lot of regulars that come in.
"It's a good business but its tough, especially the foodservice side of things, which requires a huge investment." He proudly notes the establishment received a 95 score on a recent health inspection.
"We didn't start out with a silver spoon in our mouths," he says. "It was a lot of hands-on hard work. I've done plumbing, electrical I shovel my own sidewalks. And I take care of my customers. I'm always there greeting them."
Source: Special Reports published by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite, Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.