The Sandbar Lounge may stay open and the new owner hopes to preserve some of its history.

After receiving notice from the Casper City Council in February to stop serving alcohol by the end of May, Sandbar owner Roger Hessler may sell his liquor license and eventually the building.

Pending council approval, the buyer is Kirt Koski, a local Realtor and entrepreneur.

Koski said he's buying the restaurant as an investment. He came to Casper in 1978, the same year the Sandbar Lounge opened. He soon became friends with many of the people connected with the bar and restaurant. One of his main goals is to preserve some of the Greek history that exists in the building and the area.

A plaque outside the Sandbar states that Nick Maragos, or "Mr. Nick," founded The Casper Liquor Store in April 1945. The New Casper Liquor Store and Sandbar Lounge was relocated and completed in September 1978 by the Bouzis brothers.

"The Greek community has done a lot down there. In the Sandbar, they were the merchants, and there's a lot of history that is going away very rapidly," Koski said. "It just needs to be saved, salvaged in one way, shape or form."

As Koski waits for formal council approval, he is already working on how the lounge can be different than it was to prevent some of its previous problems.

First, he plans to require each server to attend a state training program that teaches wait staff how to avoid overserving.

Many of the Sandbar's problems were caused by serving too many drinks, and after meeting with the Casper police chief he hopes to keep that issue from recurring.

"I think it's an educational thing," he said about overserving. "As well as taking advantage of some of the state-offered classes."

City staff members listed a high volume of police calls as well as the adverse effect the bar had on the neighboring community as two reasons Hessler's license should not have been renewed.

Council member Guy Padgett said the council acted in large part out of concern for the residents and businesses in the surrounding neighborhood.

"I'm thrilled someone is interested in purchasing and taking care of the Sandbar as an historical establishment," Padgett said. "We need to make sure that we express our concerns up front to any potential new owner and make sure the lines of communication are open from the beginning."

If the transfer is approved, Koski plans to lease the building from Hessler, with a provision to purchase the business.

Patrons may notice small changes initially, he said, and larger changes could come later. He plans to keep the current staff as he continues to focus on the people and heritage that built the establishment.

"There is a lot of history that really hangs in this area," Koski said. "And I'll see if I can't save some of it as well as a few people's jobs."

The council will vote today to set the public hearing date for April 21. It will take three votes by the council before the liquor license transfer would be formalized.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com.

News tracker:

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Last we knew: The Casper City Council voted to renew Rodger Hessler's liquor license for the Sandbar Lounge, under several conditions including that he cease serving alcohol by May 31.

The latest: Kirt Koski, a local Realtor and entrepreneur, applied for a transfer of the liquor license to continue operating the Sandbar.

What's next: The council will vote to set the public hearing date for April 21. If the transfer is approved after three required votes, the lounge can continue to serve alcohol.

Last we knew: The Casper City Council voted to renew Roger Hessler's liquor license for the Sandbar Lounge, under several conditions including that he cease serving alcohol by May 31.

The latest: Kurt Koski, a local Realtor and entrepreneur, applied for a transfer of the liquor license, with the intention of continuing to run the Sandbar.

What's next: The council will vote to set the public hearing date for April 21. If the transfer is approved after three required votes, the lounge can continue to serve alcohol.]]->