Couple purchases Bend in the Road saloon

By Shelly Zeller, Alden Advance

A popular destination point in Manchester will re-open on Friday under new ownership.

“There are so many memories for me here,” said Bend in the Road co-owner Gina (Crumb) Monacy. “It’s a special place to me, and I have lots of hopes and dreams here at the Bend.”

Monacy, who is a USC graduate and has family in the area, moved back to Minnesota last fall, after more than 12 years of business experience.

“I have spent a lot of time here,” she said. “I worked at the Hartland gas station for seven years and this bar was my old stomping grounds. It’s sentimental to me.”

While away from Minnesota, Monacy, who has a business degree, along with her husband, Jeff, who has a master’s degree in business, were general managers at big box retail stores.

“We both worked at Cabela’s headquarters,” Jeff Monacy said. “We both have had a lot of leadership roles throughout the years.”            

According to Gina Monacy, the summer is typically a slower time of the year for the bar scene.

“We will get to know the business and continue to grow,” she said. “Although we have a small food menu now, we hope to expand in the fall for the farmers by adding specials and lunch hours.”

The Bend In The Road will also feature a patio for live music.

“We both love live music and will be featuring new things, such as acoustic, bluegrass, as well as country and rock,” she said. “We want to add a new splash to the area.”

With experience across the states, Monacy is inviting their customers to try something new.

“We will feature specialty drinks, along with alcohols you are unable to get in our area,” she said.

Monacy didn’t come back to own a business, or just any bar.

“It’s this one in particular. It has a lot of memories and it’s a special place,” she said. “This is my bar, and it means a lot to me.”

Bend In The Road will open at 3 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. It will close by 1 a.m.

Monacy and her new venture can be found on Facebook at Bend in the Road-Reestablished 2017.