Keeping it Real

71 Bar and Grill Cherishes Community

By Natalie Reque

Just some of the decorations at the restaurant.

            Nestled in the woods off Highway 71 north, one can find a warm meal of fresh barbeque ribs and steaming potatoes or a freshly tossed salad and fried chicken. These are just some of the many items found on the 71 Bar and Grill's menu. it offers a warm setting with a fireplace and a friendly staff who will cater to every customer's need.

            However, the 71 Bar and Frill is not just a bar and restaurant. It is a place where the community of Turtle River and the surrounding Bemidji area can come and get together in an atmosphere that is a happy and pleasant one. "Our restaurant is more than just  a restaurant, but more like a community center for the local folk, and that's the way it was intended," said Marg Seitz, owner of the 71 Bar.

            The 71 Bar and Grill has been a fixture in the community for many decades, but Wes and Marg Seitz came to own it in 2008. Wes was co-owner with the previous owner Greg Earl, who was fondly nicknamed Squirrel, since 2006, but then he and his wife Marg took over. "It's been here awhile, and we want to keep it the way it is," he said.

            Wes and Marg know a little something about keeping things the way they were. They were born and raised in Bemidji area and have lived her for most of their lives. Most would think that they were high school sweethearts, but they actually met at a dance at Pinegrove in 1966. "Yep, Marg and I have been married for 41 years; that's almost a lifetime!" chimed in Wes.

            Keeping close ties to family and friends is what they do best and the restaurant relates that. "I love coming here first for the good food of course, but also for the great atmosphere," said one happy customer, Mathieu Dugas. "It feels like coming home and sitting down at my family's table for a meal."



71 Bar menu reflects the atmosphere of the place.

             The restaurant offers a full menu with food ranging from renown walleye to a mucho nacho grande dish. However, just recently Marg and Wes decided to redo the menu and cut some things out. They tried it for one week, and soon were getting too many negative remarks back. According to Marg, people were not happy with the new changes. "Customers were complaining about the menu change. Not that the food was bad all of a sudden, but because they wanted the old choices back," she said with a smile. " It just back to prove that people love what was there before."

            Besides the dining there is also a full-back bar room and a half-bar in the front. Some of the things that draws people to the bar are the activities that Wes and Marg have at the bar. there is bar bingo every Monday night, happy hour, and a dinner special usually every night. Also, families can come there and host birthday parties and anniversaries. For example, last week a couple who had been married for 43 years came with their families and celebrated the wonderful day. They were so grateful that they added a thank-you to the 71 Bar and Grill in their thank you note posted in the local paper. In the past there has also been funeral services held there too.



Wes and Marg Seitz relaxing after a  busy Sunday night.

             There are many words that describe Wes and Marg, but the first word would be hard working. Wes has a Navy background and graduated from Bemidji State University with a business degree. Marge is a registered nurse who still works full time for the Minnesota State Health Department. Wes also owns Wes's Plumbing and Heating, which was started by his father in 1964. Wes joined in the company when he came out of the Navy in 1971. Wes's Plumbing and Heating was serving many of the Great Plain states but now is mostly contained to the Bemidji area. They had two sons, John and Jason, but unfortunately, John passed away leaving behind him a wife and two sons. However, even though the tragedy and busy schedules, Marg and Wes spends every moment they can with their families. Marg's parents are still alive (her mother is 88 and her father is 92), and caring for their needs is just part of  Marg's compassionate ways.

            "I'm living in the very same housr that my own grandfather built," said Wes with a smile on his face. "We love family and the community ans we want to be around to make sure taht everything stays the same." They do hope to retire in the near future, and have listed the restaurant under a realtor. However, they both still want to be somwhat involved with the new owner to make sure that the 71 Bar stays teh same way that the community likes it.

            "I believe in hard work and love," said Marg. "Working full-time, managing the bar and keeping familiy a priotiy keeps me on my toes. It makes me upset when someon says that they are tired and don't want to work. I say if you have time to lean you have time to clean."

            Family, love and hard work is what has made up Marg's and Wes's life. Marg said it best when someone commented how close she and her husband are. "Well, he's the love of my life! Why wouldn't we be?"

Word count: 911

The half bar is a small area that can fix anyones thirst.

Fast service is always a factor at the 71 Bar and Grill.

The band Wes has been playing in for twenty years still brings out a crowd.

The other half of the restaurant is the back bar where people can go and enjoy a drink or two plus food.