It’s the Fourth of July, and for the first time that anyone can remember, the liquor store and bar in Randall is open. Not only is it open, but it is packed, full of patrons donning patriotic clothing. Although the bar had just recently switched ownership and gotten a new name, the new owners said they hoped to continue everything that had made it a success for over 80 years while adding improvements that would keep it running for the next 80 years and beyond.
The new co-owners of Shady’s Bar and Grill in Randall, a town that has been without a local restaurant since last year, consist of Lee Mergen, Kris Schiffler, Ryan Spanier and Jeremy Glenz. They shared their vision for revitalizing the beloved establishment that had operated as the Randall Municipal Liquor Store since the 1940s.
The new owners have experience running various businesses and restaurants through the eight other locations they own as part of Shady’s Group. They became interested in purchasing the liquor store and bar after Schiffler had visited it with his family multiple times, owning a cabin not far from the location in Randall. Noticing the void left by the closure of Stone Hill Bar and Grill, a popular local eatery which burned down in 2023, they decided to seize the opportunity to purchase the municipal liquor store and bar with plans to install a kitchen to serve restaurant-style food. In fact, part of the agreement between the city of Randall and Shady’s Group when selling the property was to add a kitchen by Jan. 1, 2025 at the latest.
The group has kept all of the existing staff, aiming to maintain the establishment’s familiar feel while gradually introducing changes. Their plans include a simple, mainstream American menu featuring items like fry baskets and specials, as well as some of the group’s signature dishes from their other locations.
“The goal is just to keep everything rolling,” Schiffler said. “We don’t really plan too far ahead. We’ve kind of got to play it by ear, feeling out the customer base and seeing what they want. You don’t find that out right away. It takes a while to warm up and let them open up, too.”
The new owners have been pleasantly surprised by the warm reception from the Randall community, who have expressed excitement about the evolution of the local watering hole.
“We had a city council meeting around the end of our deal,” Spanier said. “We came up here and no one even really knew who we were. We sat at the back table and people kind of started to point fingers. The next thing you know, people are coming up with, ‘Oh, we’re so happy for you to be in town. We can’t wait to have food and we can’t wait to get service.’ They’ve toured with some of our other bars so they kind of know what we’re about. So they’re excited to have us in town.”
So far, that warm reception has continued into the Shady’s Bar and Grill’s second month under its new name and ownership, having officially switched hands on May 28. The group opened a food stand at a Fourth of July event in Randall the following weekend, offering a taste of what’s to come at the revitalized Shady’s Bar and Grill. As the kitchen becomes operational, the owners plan to gradually expand the menu and explore additional events and schedule changes to cater to the community’s needs.
The new owners’ diverse backgrounds, ranging from business owners to industry veterans, have equipped them with the necessary skills to navigate the challenges of the restaurant industry. Their focus on maintaining the bar and liquor store’s legacy while adapting to the community’s desires has set the stage for a promising future for this historic Randall establishment.
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