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Regulars will be comfortable and everyone else will have a place to call home as new owners take over Casablanca on the Lake Ozark Strip.
On January 20, Ryan and Mark Brick of Village Marina will open the doors on another century of fun at Casablanca. The well-known bar and grill is housed in one of the lake’s most historic buildings. It was the home of the Lake Ozark post office in the 1950s and has been a bar and grill for more than six decades.
Grill will be a more important aspect of Casablanca as the Bricks build on the phenomenal success of the Boathouse at Village Marina. The Boathouse was one of the most popular spots on the lake this past summer as the facility was reopened with the addition of Chef Robert Sills. Sills was brought in from Charleston, South Carolina to give Boathouse offerings a more sophisticated spin. His innovative menu changes combined with very special events packed The Boathouse through the 2011 season. “We are all about excellence in all our endeavors,” Ryan Brick said. “We intend to bring that tradition to Casablanca.”
The Brick family has owned and operated Village Marina for two decades. Village, the lake’s oldest continually operating marina, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012.
Now the Bricks and Sills will turn their attention to another lake institution. Casablanca has been owned in recent years by Eddie Jordan and Sharon Watson. Jordan has had a long, successful career as a bar owner at the lake, including Arrowhead Lodge. “We are excited about the opportunity to carry on a lake tradition and really appreciate the help we are getting from Eddie and Sharon in the transition,” Mark Brick said.
New and interesting menu items will be combined with old favorites to make what is old new again at Casablanca. Renovations are planned that will make the bar and grill more ‘user friendly,’ particularly for those who have enjoyed the front deck in recent years.
While the changes will be an exciting aspect of the new Casablanca, lakers who have been regulars for decades will find that it’s still the bar they love.
Reader Comments:
Question:
Will the new owners carry on a tradition of supporting the local musicians as was done in the past, and have live entertainment that would comprise more than a one man band, so to speak. The Lake boasts of some very excellent musicians and combos, who have been providing quality music and entertainment, and should be supported.
So, will these new owners support the community and hire local musicians, and not just a musician with gimmicks. One man bands just don't get it done like a combo, and provide the interaction and versatility, and spontaneity expressed by a musical group.
They wouldn't expect to provide good service with one waitress or or only one employee to serve and provide all requirements of good service. Musicians working together to provide the vibes that turn people on, and create energy and a variety of emotions is what is so special about live music entertainment. Do these new owners really have a clue?