Bearcreek Farms still going strong (11/22/06)

Friends chat near the organ, while the aroma of fried chicken and mashed potatoes floats through the dining room to the noses of those making their way around the buffet.

Nearby, Christmas music plays as the actors wait for their cues, and women get googly-eyed over holiday wares.

Carla Strong, general manager of Bearcreek Farms, sits at a table set for a meal and tells of how her father's idea to prove pessimists wrong turned into a 200-acre resort complete with lodging, dining, entertainment and shopping.

More than 30 years ago Don Strong purchased the Bearcreek Township land to use as a family get-away. Two years later he kicked the horses, rabbits and sheep out of the barn and began to create a way to turn a profit.

After several years of working in the food service industry, Don decided to capitalize on the land's country charm and create a restaurant in the barn.

Starting restaurants was not uncharted territory for Don. He had already opened The Snug, in Bluffton, and created the chain of Richards Restaurants - the first of which opened in Portland in the 1960s.

But his peers didn't see opening a restaurant in the middle of a cornfield in rural Jay County as a wise investment.

"Food service was in his blood," Carla said. "He wanted to prove people differently."

To further entice people to the establishment, Don decided to hold nightly dramas in the upstairs of the Red Barn Restaurant. The shows were performed on a 25-foot stage by local amateurs and lasted about 40 minutes, Carla said. The restaurant/theater opened in 1975.

"He thought entertainment would give people more reason to come out. We kind of stuck with that concept from then on," she said. Carla, along with other family members, have been working at Bearcreek Farms since its inception. Don, 66, retired this year and checks in on the business once a week.

Throughout the years new buildings have been created around the red barn. Although it still stands, the barn is now only used for storage and as a haunted barn in the fall.

New structures for shows were built on the land, as was a new restaurant. Shopping areas, accommodations and an indoor water park were later added.

Although the appearance of the resort has changed, the business has remained true to its concept of Hoosier hospitality. Just as in the beginning, Bearcreek Farms employees still take the time to get to know their customers on a first name basis, Carla said.

Most of the business's customers are senior citizens. Although many do not favor change, change is what Bearcreek Farms must continually do to keep customers coming back year after year, she said.

Many of the changes have been in entertainment.

A 300-seat theater was built in 1980. The shows changed to musical reviews, and professionals were hired to perform. The building was equipped for food service, so food was served to patrons while they enjoyed the shows.

In 1985 another theater which could seat up to 2,600 was built, followed by the original Homestead restaurant in 1999. The shows now featured big bands and special entertainers.

During the 1980s, 12 units for lodging were created out of mobile homes. Bearcreek Farms currently has 78 cottages, four log cabins and 50 camp sites.

The shows now are 75 minutes or longer and feature professional actors selected at auditions throughout the United States. The musical shows run for 14 weeks.

Carla said the number of performances per week will be reduced to six next year from 11. Also there will be more matinees and fewer evening shows. She said the customers who come to Bearcreek Farms at night don't want to see musical reviews or shows that have run for several weeks. However, the daytime customers are older and like such shows.

Some changes have not been intentional.

The Homestead burned down in 2003. The cause of the fire was a gas line explosion, she said.

"It pretty much burned down in an hour's time," Carla said.

The current Homestead Restaurant opened in September of 2004. The building also has plenty of shopping.

Activities at Bearcreek Farms also have changed throughout the years. Events such as a rodeo, strawberry festival and car show have been held in recent years. In the past there has been a small zoo on the grounds and a small fair.

"Over the years ... we've kind of gone in transitional phases," Carla said.

The business is constantly in transition, Carla said.

Besides offering fewer show times next year, a new evening activity for adults will be added.

Club Bearcreek will offer food, beverages and entertainment for adults on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. There will be 50s music, open mic nights and bands, such as Phil Dirt and the Dozers. The business got its liquor license in June.

It will be "more of a club-type atmosphere for adults," Carla said. The new feature is set to open the second week of March.

Company officials also plan to remodel the campground area, change the selection on the restaurant's menu and add new retail items.

"We try to change something every year," Carla said. Most of the business's clients come from Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. The goal of change is to make sure there is something different each time these customers come to Bearcreek Farms, she said.[[In-content Ad]]