Ed Pamperin had been helping former owners of the Rails Bar & Grill, John & Sandy MacGrath, out with their darts games. It didn't take him long while doing that to realize that he really wanted to own the place. He told the McGraths that he was interested in buying. But then tragedy struck, and the place caught on fire. The fire was the last straw for the McGraths.
"After the fire, John & Sandy approached me, and said they were ready to sell," Pamperin said in an interview with the Eagle. And even though there was a lot to do, Pamperin wasn't deterred. This was just the chance he'd been waiting for.
He started by hiring the clean-up crew known for making major messes disappear, "like it never even happened." The results are jaw dropping, and live up to the motto of the cleanup company – though they can't take all the credit. "We had it from the bare walls after ServPro, and decorated more or less from there," Pamperin said of the process.
Rails, the bar and grill, exists side by side with the Rails Depot event center. Between the two, Pamperin said "we're going to try and bring people events that they'll enjoy." But also bring them "good food at reasonable prices."
For the food, Pamperin tries to make sure they buy local, fresh foods. Shopping in town when they can. A lot of the meat and produce, Pamperin says, comes from the local Fareway. "We spend a lot" in town, Pamperin said with a shrug, and a grin.
The menu is quite popular, and that's food and a full assortment of shots and cocktails. The pizza and flatbread are very popular, and available for carryout. As are the giant pretzels, served with plenty of dipping sauces, and their popular Dirty Burger. And they like to have nightly specials based on whatever strikes their fancy.
For entertainment, Pamperin and his crew offer a slew of options. There's bag tossing competitions. A pool table. Cribbage tournaments. Beer pong. And a big focus is on dart competitions. Not only are there four machines set up in the bar all the time, but the entire event center is lined with outlets for dart machines, and there are several in reserve, ready to be set up for large dart competitions. Pamperin also plans to sponsor sports teams, and bring great bands to the event center.
Pamperin made good on the pledge to bring popular bands to town to play the Depot just this past weekend, bringing the band Farm Rock to town last Saturday. The band played for an excited crowd who filled the tables and, as the show rolled on, took to the dance floor. Rocking the night away.
Outdoor events are starting up as well. Also on Saturday, the Sleeping Angels Fun Run, a fundraiser for parents who've lost infants, made a stop there. "That rumble you are about to hear coming through town is the 92 bikes for the Sleeping Angels ride stopping at Rails today," the Rails Facebook page said. And sure enough, the town was rumbling as motorcycle after motorcycle rolled over to Rails.
There'll be more events in the fenced in backyard as the weather turns nice. Pamperin designed the fence to allow panels to be removed for bringing in stages and equipment for proper concerts. But it's also just nice to sit out on the back porch with a beer. Especially for smokers. And Pamperin envisions having two stages going at once, one indoors, one out.
Of course, it's not all concerts and contests, the Depot is also available for rental. "We've got 6 straight weeks of graduation parties coming up," Pamperin said, having to raise his voice to be heard over the cheering crowd and the roaring country-rock music of the Farm Band. Other notable rentals have been when the EMS service booked the Depot for their awards dinner. And it's popular for events like wedding receptions, and baby showers. And with the kitchen just next door and a second bar in the space, electrical outlets everywhere and plenty of tables and chairs, there's really not much the space can't handle.
Pamperin is also running a trenching company, so he's a busy man. But he still manages to get into the bar, and relax a little with his wife Kelly. Who is also often seen working in the bar. But on Saturday they were just enjoying the Farm Rock concert together. Their happiness seemed pretty obvious, and Kelly summed it up her feelings about it all pretty clearly. It was all a lot of work, she said, nodding in his direction, but "that's pretty much my husband. I'm pretty proud of him."
