By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise
Nicole Schmidt still has some questions about how the transition might go, but shes excited to be taking over operations of the city-owned bar in Colman.
Schmidt was awarded the contract this past week for whats been known for the past 16 years as Gregs Place. The Colman City Council approved an initial two-year lease agreement with Schmidt, who was one of several to submit bids for the opportunity.
Shell pay the city $675 per month in rent, along with a 3% liquor premium share and 30% of any lottery income.
Schmidt, who currently manages Sunrise Ridge Golf Course, plans to help with the transition to a new manager at the course while preparing the bar for business. Sunrise Ridge, also owned by the city, will be advertising for her replacement.
I think its going to be a good change, Schmidt said.
Getting someone new in there (Gregs Place) will hopefully bring new people in to check it out, and Im hoping to give the place a good refresh and add new items to the menu. I just want to see it thriving and be another good option for people in the area.
Originally from Cannon Falls, Minnesota, Schmidt has called Egan home since shortly after high school. She moved to the area to be closer to family her mother, Donna Grohs, is from Egan.
While she plans to take on much of the work herself, Schmidt said she will be looking for a few reliable part-time employees. Shes often busy with her teenage daughter, a student at Colman-Egan Public Schools, along with three other children and several grandchildren.
After some interior and possibly exterior updates, her goal is to open by early July. A new name for the bar is yet to be determined, but Schmidt said the Gregs Place sign is coming down.
Current operator Greg Van Mevern, an engineer by trade, is stepping away at the end of June. Hes ready to spend more time tinkering with the vintage cars hes collected over the years, many of which sit across the street from the downtown bar.
Also heard at the Colman City Council meeting:
The council approved hiring and pay for lifeguards and other city pool staff for the 2025 season. Lifeguards are set to meet this week for initial training and preparations. Weather permitting, pool cleaning will begin shortly, with the summer opening just around the corner.
Updates were shared on the ongoing road construction and infrastructure work along Highway 34. Some change orders were required due to unexpected issues with water and sewer line replacements south of the highway. Despite the hiccups, the project remains on schedule, with completion and reopening still projected for this fall.
Council members discussed repeated issues with golf carts, ATVs, and UTVs bypassing barricades in the Highway 34 construction zone. Ultimately, a decision was made to reinforce that all side-by-sides (ATVs and UTVs) are considered motorized vehicles and must follow traffic laws in construction zones. That includes obeying all barricades and lights along Highway 34.
Additionally, councilors reinforced that, According to state law, there is currently no legal way to drive a golf cart between the north and south sides of Colman across Highway 34 during construction. Drivers who ignore the rules are subject to fines and ticketing.
