kitchen

Hometown Investment: Tate Vaira saves old buildings, one renovation at a time

Richey native and Shorty’s Bar and Grill owner Tate Vaira is investing in the town’s future by purchasing and renovating two long-vacant buildings. He plans to transform the former library into an Airbnb and explore converting the old Stockman Bar into a community kitchen and event space, helping meet local needs while preserving historic buildings. / Courtesy of Tate Vaira

Shorty’s Bar and Grill owner Tate Vaira is proving he’s in Richey for the long haul, recently purchasing two vacant, rundown buildings and renovating them in hopes of benefiting the town.

“I hate seeing old buildings or businesses closed down, especially in a small town,” Vaira said.

For Vaira, the empty buildings reflect a larger shift in small-town life.

“As ranches and farms get bigger, you know families get smaller; people move away, which kind of leaves the void to be filled,” Vaira said.

He’s looking to fill that void by buying two of the town’s abandoned buildings and turning them into something useful for Richey residents.

His first purchase was the old library building, which dates back to 1917, when it served as the town’s original bar and hotel. After World War II, Volbrick Winky bought the building in 1947 and turned it into the original VFW Post 7887.

When he bought it, Vaira wasn’t sure what to do with the building given its condition. That changed as he learned more about its history, which steered his plans.

He decided to renovate it into an Airbnb with eight rooms and three bathrooms, representing the building’s history in a modern way.

The project has taken longer than intended because of the interior’s condition. Vaira continues working on the building, but there is no set date for completion.

Vaira recently purchased the old Stockman Bar with similar hopes. The size and condition of the kitchen sold him on the building, and he is considering turning it into a co-op-style kitchen or a space residents could rent out for events within the next year.

“Something that if grandma wanted to have her birthday party there or something like the EPEC that rents out the kitchen to individuals,” Vaira said.

He also hopes the kitchen will ease the strain on the bar’s kitchen during catered events. In an average year, Vaira caters two derbies in Sidney, three bump-and-runs in Glendive, the Dawson County Fair, the Wibaux Fair and a plethora of other events throughout the year.

The purchases represent more than business opportunities for the Richey native.

“I enjoy investing money in Richey. It’s our future out here,” Vaira said.

To Vaira, that future rests with the next generation. He is proud to be part of building the community to meet their needs.

“A lot of the same kids that I went to school with, that decided to stay here and make a family,” Vaira said.

One such person is Kimball Brost, son of Jeff Brost, owner of Big Sky Hardware in town. Vaira credits Kimball as the driving force behind expanding the hardware store for the town of Richey, serving as an inspiration for others to make their mark on the small town.

Vaira is currently prepping for the street dance in Richey July 18 and the Richey Rodeo July 19.

For more information, check out Shorty’s Bar and Grill on Facebook.