We still care about each other
Guest Column by Todd Hughes
Montana Tavern Licensee
I bought Poor Henry's a little over five years ago. I had always wanted an establishment that resembled the quote from the television show "Cheers:” “Where everyone knows your name.”
There were bigger bar businesses – or as we country folk call 'em, "town bars" – for sale at the same time, but for reasons I would discover later, Poor Henry's was the one I chose.
I had been at Poor Henry's half a dozen times over the years but hadn't really spent any substantial time there. I was the new guy moving into a place that has stood the test of time through many generations.
Poor Henry's was first built in 1951 and had only three previous owners. So I figured they must have liked it for some reason.
I had never worked in a bar/restaurant before; “wow,” what a learning curve I had. Now came the time as to the “discover later” part.
I learned quickly that my little out of town country bar was filled with people who cared deeply about each other and their community center bars. So I worked harder and harder each day to assure them I only wanted to make their place better. The harder I worked the more they realized I was one of them. I was just a guy who bought a job and cared a lot about people and their lives.
I have since formed some special relationships with my patrons here that will last a lifetime. At Poor Henry's it's not just about sitting them down, serving food and drink and sending them on the way. I legitimately care about each person who comes through the door and sits for awhile. We solve world issues, marriage problems, kid concerns, car troubles, etc. So over the last five and a half years we have solved many dilemmas.
My story, however, is more about my customers than about me, or Poor Henrys for that matter.
I've seen first hand the real love and support for our neighbors, which I feel has been lost a little over the past years. Perhaps, people are just too busy to really get to know one another or maybe they just don't care. However, out here in this small community of Clinton, we sincerely care about each other and our daily lives.
Each year in March friends bring in and put fresh flowers on each table for our friends we have lost years ago. This March this community was hit hard. We lost two of our dear friends, Ralph Ward, whom actually had his hand in the building of the original Poor Henry's and drank coffee and shared conversation with us at the “Old Goats Breakfast Club” every day for years, and the other was my dear friend Rob Scharf, who at the age of 54 was killed at his home on his four-wheeler.The reaction from this tiny town was astounding. Their generosity was unparalleled.
For two weeks we grieved and mourned for our lost friend. Then on March 20 we held a memorial and auction for Rob and his family. I had some people tell me an auction in this bad economy, let alone this small town, would gather only pennies.
I didn't listen. Like I said, there was a reason I chose Poor Henry's over other available businesses. Our friends and neighbors came out in droves, cars were parked a half-mile on both sides of the frontage road in front of Poor Henry's. Men and women, some of whom had been laid off, emptied their pockets and hearts to help.
Each brought with them food, cards, flowers and special stories. The day was amazing, watching our small community give as much as any large town. It makes me feel good to know at least here in my town mankind still cares for each other.
Don't get me wrong, we argue like any family, but somehow we always forgive and forget, and in the times of great need we take care of our own out here in the country.
Editor's note: In covering the tavern business for 15 years, we have been aware of hundreds of events like the one Todd writes about. It is what makes our taverns so important to our social fabric, and it is why we recognize May as National Tavern Month. We personally know of three fundraisers that have been conducted in taverns recently that each raised over $20,000 for sick and injured local residents. Other tavern owners are encouraged to write an article like Todd's to tell us what really makes tavern ownership special and worthwhile.