But operation stays the same

By CANDACE CHASE/Daily Inter Lake

Doug and Judy Wise confirmed Friday that they sold Sykes' Grocery & Market on Oct. 9, but customers still can buy a 10-cent cup of coffee in the landmark Kalispell restaurant.

Doug Wise said that he and his wife sold the businesses and the real estate to Mike and Mary McFarland. Mike McFarland of Western Brokers was the Realtor who listed the property for sale about a year ago.

"He's going to run it just like we have," Wise said. "I'm sure he is going to do this because he said he would. That's the only reason I sold it to him."

Wise did not disclose the selling price.

McFarland said he and his wife bought it together and intend to keep the restaurant, grocery store and pharmacy open. Cherished traditions such as the Thanksgiving dinner, alternating Friday and Saturday music nights and Tuesday bingo will continue as before.

"The 10-cent coffee stays the same," he said. "That's a tribute to Doug."

The couple have entered into an agreement with Larry Hadley of Meats Supply to run the meat-market part of the grocery store, and Hadley also will provide meat for the restaurant.

The new owners plan to make quite a few upgrades including new bathrooms and an expanded kitchen in the restaurant, modern scanning equipment in the grocery store, an enlarged pharmacy and new office area.

"We have a new chef coming on Tuesday to take over," McFarland said. "We're going to set up a new menu. We'll have a senior menu and a children's menu."

McFarland said they may have to change or drop a few services, such as customer charge accounts and grocery deliveries, to remain profitable. He hopes to find a new way to make deliveries.

"Our primary goal is to keep the doors open and pay the bills," he said.

McFarland expects the grocery store to operate as sort of a super convenience store in the future. He said folks will still find canned goods and meat along with the pop, chips and beer.

Many people in the neighborhood, particularly the senior citizens living in housing complexes nearby, became alarmed at the prospect of losing the market, pharmacy and restaurant within walking distance on the west side of Kalispell.

Their concern resulted in the formation of a "Save Sykes' Committee" when the 103-year-old business and real estate went up for sale. The new owners were part of that effort.

"We live right across the parking lot," McFarland said. "We just know how important this is to this community. It's important to senior citizens to have a place to go and to gather."

Initially, the 56,800-square-foot property including two large buildings, was listed at $1.6 million.

As the listing agent of the Sykes' property, McFarland said he had several parties interested but they dropped out of contention. Wise said the last one of those was Semitool founder Ray Thompson, who later declined due to developments in his other business.

It was a disappointing turn of events for the Wises, who wanted to sell due to their age. But all the work put into negotiating the deal with Thompson wasn't wasted.

"I thought they had made a good deal," McFarland said.

He said he told Doug that he and his wife would buy it if offered the same terms and if the bank went along. McFarland then worked with Jennifer Wheeler, a member of the committee and commercial loan officer for Glacier Bank, to secure financing for the deal.

"And I haven't slept since," McFarland said with a laugh.

When he does get to sleep, he doesn't have to get up to prepare the restaurant and store for opening. Wise, 91, continues to get up around 3:30 a.m. and head down to prepare the restaurant to open.

He stays until 9 or 10 a.m. most mornings because he enjoys the work and socializing with the customers.

"We really appreciate all their business. These people have been our friends for the last 60 or 70 years," Doug said. "I'm satisfied he [McFarland] is going to take care of the old people."

Judy Wise still drops in, but not on a daily basis.

"I've got 58 years' of stuff left to do at home, inside and out," Judy said.

The landmark business began in 1905 when Ernest Kuster bought the property at the corner of Second Avenue and Second Street West from First National Bank.

It operated as E.F. Kuster Groceries until 1915, when Ira Black became the owner and changed the name to Economy Grocery & Meat Market. In 1928, Martha Sykes married Black and received a half interest in the property, according to Beth Adele Beller in her book "10 Cent Coffee."

After her husband died, Martha transferred the business and property to her brothers Cecil and Chester Sykes in 1935 "for $1.00 and love and affection." Chester shortly gave his half interest to Cecil.

Cecil's wife, Ann, sold the store to Doug Wise in 1945. At the time, the store was just 25 feet wide and still had a wood stove and a crank cash register. The Wises expanded the building in the 1950s and in 1976, and added the pharmacy in 1981.

Sykes' logo, a cowboy sipping a cup of coffee, was inspired by a picture found in a magazine by the Wises' son Tim. Their slogan "Nobody goes away a stranger" won't change with the passing of the torch to the McFarlands.

They expect to continue the business as a family operation. Their daughter Mandi Cole is working in the office. McFarland has quit accepting real estate listings although he intends to maintain his license.

Mary McFarland, who owns the nearby Northwest Hair Co., drops in often. McFarland welcomes Doug Wise's continued involvement at the business.

"I told him he could be in here as much or as little as he wants."

So far, customers continue to flock to the restaurant. Not one table was available Friday morning.

McFarland was upbeat about business after a little more than three weeks as the new owner.

"It's doing fine and I think it's only going to get better," he said. "This place has been a landmark. We're here to kind of give it a new spark."

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.