Cedar Tavern builds on its legacy

By Ross Boissoneau

Sun contributor

Icons. Institutions. Whatever you want to call them, most towns have at least one local business that has stood the test of time, weathering the ups and downs of the economy and changing tastes, and continuing to serve customers.

The Cedar Tavern is a perfect example. The local watering hole has been part of the scene in Cedar for somewhere around a century, and was owned and operated by the same family—Ron and Joan Alpers, along with their daughter Ellen and her husband Roger Stachnik—for the last 47 years. Last year, Ellen and Roger Stachnik decided it was time for someone else to take the reins and put it up for sale. Earlier this year they found the buyers: Suzie and Jim Greene, and Jim’s aunt and uncle, Nadeen Kieren and Thom Greene.

Well-aware of its history, the new owners have decided to change nothing. Not the tables, not the colors, not even the menu or the prices. Down the road they may tweak some things, and they are looking at ways to better use the patio, but they are clearly adherents of the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy.

In a press release, they say the Cedar Tavern—“the Tav,” to locals—is all about the relaxed, community feel and its open tables, always at the ready to share life’s celebrations, friendships and general camaraderie. “Hats off to Ellen & Roger for carrying on the 47-year Legacy with Ron Alpers!”

Alpers purchased the tavern in 1977 from Frank Schill. Ellen basically grew up in the business, waiting tables and tending bar when she was of age. She left the family business for a few years to work in a travel agency in Traverse City, but after the birth of her and Roger’s son, she returned to the tavern and worked there ever since. They took over the operation in 2008.

It made sense that when it came to sell, it was to people who knew and appreciated the town and the business. Jim and Suzie had become familiar faces at the Cedar Tavern over the past several years, while Thom and Nadeen had purchased and renovated the Cedar Station across the street from the Tavern 20 years ago. It’s currently home to Dana Fear’s jewelry studio, BeeWell children’s play and community space, and Cedar’s newest business, The Folded Leaf bookstore.

So, they all already felt a connection to the town. Now they’re happy to be part of the business community as well. They all work at the tavern, from cleaning to doing the books (Suzie’s specialty), and in general doing whatever needs to be done. Jim Greene notes the irony of working in the tavern as his side gig. “I’m the president of a construction company by day, and I bus tables at night,” he says wryly.

Not that he’d have it any other way. “It’s always been kind of a dream,” he says of owning a restaurant. He worked at a restaurant after high school, as well as during and after college. In his mid-20s, he co-owned one with partners, then began working in construction. After five years there he went back into the hospitality field, becoming the GM of the restaurant he’d worked at previously. Then, when the construction industry picked back up, he returned to that field. Today he’s the owner and director of construction for the Greene Construction Group, with offices and projects in Michigan, Ohio and Florida.

As for Thom, he is a successful architect and photographer. One who now finds himself in the midst of another career, one which he too had long been interested in. “We’d been looking at the tavern. Finally, it came on the market. Jimmy worked out a deal (for Stachniks) to hand off the legacy,” he says.

“So many locals love it. It’s the library, the community center, their church.”

“We are thrilled that our great local staff, whom you have known for years, will be there with us to serve even more of ‘The best people in the world walk through our door,’” they say in the press release, referencing the sign that’s long hung above the entrance and the longtime staffers—who just like the décor and the menu aren’t going anywhere. Thom says they are part of the legacy too.

Thom believes Cedar is undergoing a renaissance, pointing to the nearby coffee shop, Cedar River Coffee Company, the Polish Art Center, the businesses at The Station and more. “We’re not the big tourist town,” he says. But that maybe increases its appeal to locals.

As for other thoughts or details, he defers to his nephew. “Talk to Jim. He’s the head guy here.” That would be the construction president over there, bussing a table.