Clarke 'Retailer of the Year'
By Paul F. Vang
Dave Clarke, owner of the First & Last Chance Bar in Eureka, is Montana's 2010 recipient of the Brown-Forman ABL Retailer of the Year award.
The Brown-Forman Retailer of the Year award was created to recognize and honor dedicated members of American Beverage Licensees' state and regional affiliates. The Brown-Forman company, producer of the Jack Daniel's line of whiskeys, plus other spirits and wines, sponsors the award.
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Dave Clarke
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The First & Last Chance Bar has been in the Clarke family since Dave Clarke's parents, with other partners, built the business in 1972. The business gets its name from its proximity to the Canadian border; it's about the last chance at a watering hole before leaving Montana and the first chance on returning.
In 1990, Clarke finished a hitch in military service and came back home to Eureka and started working in the business. In 1991, Clarke was recalled to military service for Desert Storm, the First Gulf War, serving from February to May 1991.
In that same year, Clarke's father died, and Clarke became a partner in the business, along with a brother and his stepmother. In 1995 Clarke bought out his partners to become the sole owner of the business.
Clarke became active in the Lincoln County Tavern Association in 1990, right after getting involved with the business. In fact, he has served as the local association's president since 1991.
In addition, he has served on the Montana Tavern Association Board of Directors since 1992, representing the Lincoln County association. He has also been a member of MTA's Legislative and Gaming Committee for 11 years.
Clarke acknowledges that the 20 other members of the Lincoln County Tavern Association are perfectly happy to let him do the running to the many meetings he attends on their behalf. Clarke doesn't mind. In fact he says, βI like it. It keeps me well informed about what's going on with MTA, in the legislature, and with gaming issues.β
Clarke is a widower with three grown children and 10 grandchildren scattered across the country. When he gets a chance to get away from work he enjoys boating and four-wheeling.
Clarke is also active in his local VFW organization and has been actively involved with the Tobacco Valley Rodeo Association.
Clarke and other Retailers of the Year will be recognized and presented with a plaque at the 2010 annual ABL convention on June 13-15, in Louisville, Ky.
The 2010 ABL convention theme, βOn the Trail to Success,β highlights the educational and social events planned for convention attendees, and the nearby Bourbon Trail, home to some of the world's most recognizable bourbon distilleries.