Customer appreciation is the attitude of all who work at Buck Shots Bar & Grill.
‘Instead of being a franchise, we want to throw more of a hometown feel in there, make people feel wanted and let them know we appreciate their business,? said Owner Jim Mellema. ‘A personal touch means more to most people that you acknowledge them when they come in the door and thank them when they go out.?
Manager Jim Newton agreed.
‘We’re not out to compete with anybody else,? he said. ‘We’re here to do our own thing and make the customers happy.?
Mellema said he was lucky to find Newton, whose been a long time friend, as well as had bar managing experience.
The outdoorsy rustic look was a theme Mellema and his wife, Sue came up with.
‘My wife did one heck of a job. Everything you see in here is all her handy work,? he said. ‘Some think she might have missed her calling.?
The wood for the tables was found at an Amish sawmill. Mellema said they also had the help of many of the locals to furnish the place.
‘Everything d’cor wise has been donated mostly from Clarkston people,? he said.
Not only did he want to give it a hometown feel and hometown look, he also wanted to hire hometown people.
‘Everybody that’s working for me now in the kitchen and a lot of the service help is either originally from Clarkston or lives in Clarkston/ White Lake area, so it’s pretty close to the surrounding area,? Mellema said. ‘Pretty much everybody that works for me is also experienced. Whether they came from a different location or done it in the past, they’re very good at what they do.?
Other Manager Jim O’Hearn agreed.
‘I think our wait staff and kitchen staff goes above and beyond to try and give the customer everything they need,? O’Hearn said.
As far as food goes, Mellema said they’ve had nothing but good responses. Local business owner of Modular Aluminum Technologies Lloyd Schmoltz offered his employees and their families to have dinner and drinks on him to show his appreciation for all their hard work and extra hours they’ve put in.
‘I thought it was great and it worked for both of us,? Mellema said. ‘You don’t really hear that much you know, somebody actually doing something for their employees.?
He noted they also are implementing game time specials for both food and drinks anytime the Spartans, Wolverine, Lions, Redwings, and Pistons play.
As far as future ideas, Mellema said they want to expand further into the next unit to create more seating and possibly a game room and place where people can have private parties if they want to.
He’d also like to do some charity work for local organizations like Lighthouse. Starting around Thanksgiving they’ll being doing a coat drive and will have a box if anyone wants to donate a new coat.
‘Next summer we’ll be having some outdoor events and some car shows and biker events for charity. I got two different motorcycle groups I’ve ridden with in the past that are very good putting together charitable events,? he said. ‘Everybody is trying to save a buck and if the ones that are more fortunate than others can help out, than so can we.?
They also have live music or a DJ, for those who want to get out on the dance floor or just sit back and have a good time.
‘We have a heck of a lot of fun and it’s a family atmosphere,? Newton said.
Buck Shots Bar & Grill is located at the Gateway Plaza at the corner of White Lake Road and Andersonville Road.