Sandbar Liquors may add outdoor patio
by Carol Crump
Sandbar Liquors may be expanding its food and beverage service into a new venue: an outdoor patio.
The downtown bar's owner, Rodger Hessler, has tentative approval from the Casper City Council to add a fenced, outdoor eating area.
Final approval, with what could be a number of conditions for operation, will be on the council's agenda on July 15.
Hessler has been involved for 30 years as an owner and manager of local liquor venues, including the former Oil City Liquors in north Casper and the defunct Benham's Off Center.
He requested approval for a 25-foot by 68-foot fenced area to be located in what is currently the front drive-through area, facing Ash Street.
The owner told the council that the outside area would give his food patrons a smoke-free dining environment in the spring and the fall.
According to Hessler, the Sandbar restaurant does well, but "a lot more people" could enjoy the food if service away from the inside smoke was offered.
The patio area would close at 10 p.m. when the kitchen closes, and would be accessible only from inside the restaurant.
Hessler's request initially was denied at the council's June 17 meeting. At his appeal, the council agreed to reconsider the proposition at its work session on July 7.
Some council members questioned the potential impact of adding outside alcohol service to a location that already has a higher than average incidence of police calls.
According to a report from the Casper Police Department to the council, since the beginning of the year, the Sandbar, located at 100 N. Ash St., has had 102 police calls for problems such as disturbances, fights and public intoxication.
Council member Lynne Whalen asked Hessler why a responsible business owner would continue to serve what "obviously isn't an easily contained clientele."
"Calls are up for the police department 20, 30, 40 percent," Hessler countered. "Would you question that they're not doing their job?"
The bar owner attributed the most recent problems at the Sandbar to "lots of energy people from Louisiana and Texas" coming in, pool tables and an evening disc jockey that attracts a younger crowd.
Changing what the bar offers would "take away something the city should offer," Hessler said.
“I think we're making good progress," he added. "That's Casper now. We're part of it.
The whole city is affected" by an energy industry that "anybody in the know" is aware has chronic and ongoing problems, he said.
Hessler's request was supported by council member Keith Goodenough.
"Letting people eat outside won't add to police calls or the commotion," Goodenough said. "It's difficult for the owner of an establishment to control when they start drinking heavily. It takes time to weed out the rowdy element."
Whalen, supported by council members Guy Padgett, Stephanie Boster and Kenyne Schlager, refused to support Hessler's request.
he remaining five council members supported the proposal, with conditions.
The specific conditions for operation could include full-time staffing to monitor patrons, full lighting even after 10 p.m. when the area is closed and Hessler's agreement to keep the parking lot across from the Sandbar clear of litter.
The council also will vote on a provision that would give the council the discretion to close down the patio at any time, and a yearly re-approval for operation, separate from the annual renewal of Kessler's liquor license.
"If this starts causing a lot of problems, I'll be the first person voting against renewal," said Mayor Paul Bertoglio.
"I promise you I'll be the first to come in," Kessler responded.