Junior’s Bar & Grill is expecting to hold it’s opening day on Tuesday June 1, 2021. The former Hawkeye Bar has changed hands. Richard Van Beek, Jr., “Junior” to so many in the Paullina area, is now the proud owner.
Hours of operation will start with lunch and supper, serving food from 11-2 and 5-8:30pm. Doors open at 10am and will stay open for patrons as needed. Breakfast and brunches are under consideration, but will not right away.
In Junior’s young life he was a fireman for the state of South Dakota. He was a firefighter at the Air Fighter at the Sioux Falls airport and air base. During the same time, Junior owned a construction company for ten years in the Sheldon area. He retired from that hard work and began driving a truck. He drove locally for nine years, but it was still a lot of time away. So Junior is venturing into the hospitality business. He sees this as a way to be a little more flexible to see his kids and grandkids or to take a couple hours to attend events.
“I like to be involved. I like to talk,” said Junior while seeing those as excellent qualities for this new venture. He is already in conversation with the Paullina Ambulance on a fundraiser project. And as the new gathering place readies for opening day, kids are advised to look for specially painted rocks placed around Paullina. Find one and return it to Juniors Bar & Grill for a prize.
Many of the menu items are local favorites, so will stay much the same, typical bar & grill food. A feature item will be offered each month. He describes those as traditional foods with a personal twist, such as interesting grilled cheese or wraps.
Making time at “Junior’s” a little different experience is already underway. Dart Leagues are being formed. A fooseball table is getting place, and a DJ system with maybe some karaoke will be part of the experience at Junior’s.
Junior is hitting the ground running. He is sponsoring “35th & Taylor” on Main Street on Saturday June 26th. Look for the beer garden run by the ambulance crew and tip some extra bucks for a good cause. Details will be made available later.
Junior is supported in his new venture by close friends and family. “They’ve been a big help getting going.