By Paul F. Vang
"I've been lucky--very lucky," was the reaction from Gordian "Gordy" Kiedrowski, after learning he had been selected for recognition as the 2007 Brown-Forman Retailer of the Year for Montana.
The Brown-Forman award is administered by the American Beverage Licensees (ABL) and honors beverage retailers for dedicated service to ABL' state and regional affiliates as well as other community service.
Kiedrowski is an owner or is involved in several bar and casino operations in Billings.
In a phone interview from his home base at the Riverboat Casino, he was reluctant to boast about any personal achievements, other than to admit, "When you get picked for an honor by your peers, it' always great."
While he' enjoyed business success, he' quick to give credit to his colleagues in the Montana Tavern Association, the Yellowstone County Tavern Association and the Gaming Industry Association of Montana. "It' nice to have a lot of members who are willing to help each other," he says.
Kiedrowski is a native of Devils Lake, No. Dak., and got his beginnings in business as a manager for Bonanza Steakhouse franchises, starting in Grand Forks, No. Dak., and moving from there to Fargo, Rapid City, So. Dak., and, finally, Billings, Montana, where he had two franchise locations, plus additional Bonanza restaurants in Bozeman and Lewiston, Idaho.
In 1989, he converted one of his Billings restaurants into the Riverboat Casino. Looking back, he described it as a good business move: "It was nice, coming out of the food business."
He gives credit to another North Dakota native, and long time Montana hospitality industry leader, the late Ole Ehli, for being his mentor when he opened his first bar and casino.
"Ole was my mentor. He told me lots of things to do and not to do. I also got lots of help from Jim Manken, who operated the Moose Breath Lounge. He was a great help," Kiedrowski says.
The switch from a franchise restaurant to a bar and casino was successful. Five years after opening the Riverboat Casino, he was involved in the opening a second bar and casino, the Paddlewheel Casino, and in 2001, a third business, the Grandstand Casino and Sports Bar. In 2005, the Paddlewheel was refurbished and renamed the Bayou Casino and Lounge.
"All three facilities have full liquor licenses and have a full bar, and we offer live poker and the regular gamut of gaming machines," is how Kiedrowski describes the establishments.
In addition, all three facilities have a food service. The Bayou and Grandstand offer primarily finger-food types of fare, though Kiedrowski is quick to point out that the Grandstand is well known for a variety of chicken wings: "It' our specialty."
At the Riverboat Casino, the restaurant operation is leased to another operator, who runs a Mexican restaurant, the Guadalajara Original Family Mexican Restaurant (that operator also has additional Guadalajara restaurants in Billings, plus one in Bozeman).
Looking at the multiple business locations, Kiedrowski observes, "Having multiple operations is a good deal--especially if they're all in the same town. That way, you don't have to spend so much time traveling to supervise their operations."
He knows about that well, looking back at the days when he owned Bonanza franchises in Billings, Bozeman and Lewiston. He has since sold the Bozeman restaurant. He' still involved with the Lewiston business, though it' no longer a Bonanza, and he has a trusted partner who manages that operation.
Through all the years, since he started the Riverboat Casino, Kiedrowski has been an active member of his business associations. He has served as president and vice-president of the Yellowstone County Tavern Association. He' served on MTA' budget committee, and as vice-president of the Gaming Industry Association.
Kiedrowski is modest about his association services. "I've been fortunate. I was able to get into the associations and be halfway active. Sometimes you learn more when you just sit quietly and listen," adding with a laugh, "but I think a lot of people wouldn't believe me if I say I'm quiet."
In mid-March, Kiedrowski had just returned from a three-month vacation in Florida (including a side trip to Cancun, Mexico). With a smile, he explains, "I tell people I'm practicing for retirement; most people don't believe I work anymore."
At age 61, divorced with two grown children, neither in the family business, Kiedrowski scoffs at the thought of full retirement. "I'm not that old," he says.
He gives credit for business success to a staff of dedicated and capable employees.
"I've had great employees, many of whom have a lot of seniority. It' not what I do, it' what they do," he says, giving special credit to his general manager, Tim Zorn, who supervises all three of the Billings facilities. "He' been with me since the Bonanza days."
Kiedrowski arranges his winter travel to be back home in time for St. Patrick' Day. It' a big day, and the Riverboat celebrates with a big pig roast dinner that they serve free to all customers.
"Some people ask me, "Why a pig roast? Everybody else does corned beef and cabbage.' I just tell them, "I'm Polish, so I guess I'm a slow learner.'"
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, April, 2007, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.