Community Builders toured Humphrey on Wednesday, Nov. 13. Community Builders is a group that supports local communities and businesses by sharing ideas and resources. Partners are Central Community College, Cornhusker Public Power District, and Loup Power District. All tours are open to the public.
KLUB 81
The group started the tour at Klub 81 in Humphrey. The long-time business was purchased last year by Kris Heinen. He also purchased Baumgart Oil and RB’s Food Shop.
The restaurant is open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the adjoining convenience store is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Heinen welcomed the group to Humphrey and explained why he purchased the businesses. He said he has since added pay-at-the-pump gas service to the convenience store.
“Humphrey’s a good town if you want to start a business or buy an existing business,” he said. “It’s a really good location and a lot of good people to support you.”
KRINGS WELDING & REPAIR
NORTHERN PLAINS COATING
Paul Krings has owned Krings Welding & Repair for 35 years. The business primarily manufactures livestock equipment including feed systems, pens, and farrowing crates.
The business — with 21 employees — also manufactures parts for local businesses and has recently started selling deer stands.
Jordan Krings said it was time-consuming to send parts off to be powder coated so they opened Northern Plains Coating next door.
Paul and Jordan showed the tour group a laser cutter, automated saw, and a 1.25 million BTU powder coating oven.
“Humphrey doesn’t have a lot of manufacturing jobs,” said former Humphrey mayor Lonnie Weidner. “We’re fortunate that we’re expanding that manufacturing footprint a little bit.”
TIN CAN COFFEE
Brandi Eisenmenger worked as a barista while attending Doane College and enjoyed the job so much she pulled in her mom, Tammy Weidner, and three sisters — Ashley Krings, Jenna Olmer, and Jaycee Bruland.
The family started joking around about opening a mobile coffee shop. One day, they saw a camper for sale on the side of the road and they decided ot make that dream a reality.
“It just escalated from there,” Tammy said. “It’s been so fun.”
They started running the mobile coffee shop a couple of years ago near the Scalehouse in Humphrey. Jenna said Tammy kept looking out the window at the old grain elevator and mentioning that it would be a great drive-through coffee shop.
“She has a vision for turning old things into new,” Jenna said. “She always has.”
They decided to make that a reality as well. Family and friends helped clean out old grain, powerwash the walls, and remodel the interior. They repurposed some of the original features and added others into the decor.
The permanent Tin Can Coffee location has been running for a few months, serving sparklers, smoothies, lattes, coffees, homemade rolls, and more. The drive-through service is open most weekdays.
Tammy and each of her daughters take care of different areas of the business, such as marketing, accounting, and inventory.
Their most popular drink?
“Definitely caramel dream,” Jenna said. “That’s a caramel latte with caramel sauce.”
HUMPHREY AQUATIC CENTER
The Humphrey pool had structural leaks. Eventually it was determined that it was not feasible to spend the money fixing the problems.
The pool was demolished and the ground was used to construct a new station for the Humphrey Volunteer Fire Department.
Former Humphrey mayor Lonnie Weidner said he was tapped to begin fundraising efforts for a new pool.
Eventually, the group raised $1.2 million in private contributions and earned additioinal grant money to help pay for the $4.2 million aquatic center that opened in July.
Weidner said residents were traveling to Albion, Creston, and Columbus to swim. That helped area residents realize the need for a pool in town.
HIGH FLYERS GOLF BAR
Chad Sueper and J.D. Bonham started as roomates. Then they became business partners in several endeavors including house flipping in a variety of U.S. cities.
They each decided to move back to their respective hometowns — Sueper to Humphrey and Bonham to Franklin, Neb.
When a local bar went out of business in Humphrey, Sueper was inspired to buy it and open a new business rather than see an empty building. He also said losing the bar meant there would be no place in town that consistently serves food in the evenings.
So, he called up Bonham and the two began working on a plan. Bonham had installed an indoor golf simulator in Franklin and Sueper wondered if he would partner to open a full-service bar and grill and golf simulator in Humphrey.
They agreed to the venture and came up with the name High Flyers Golf Bar. It’s a play on Bonham’s hometown Franklin Flyers, Sueper’s St. Francis Flyers, the Liv Golf team HyFlyers, and Humphrey High.
They had a soft opening in September and opened full-time last month.
“It was a fun project and we got to figure out lots of things as we went,” Sueper said.
Bonham said the golf simulation has a variety of options for any level of player.
“Yo ucan play almost any course around the world,” he said.
Sueper said they can also set up the machine for putt-putt golf and have already hosted some kids’ parties.
The bar is hosting a golf league on Wednesday evenings.
“Hopefully the community likes it,” Bonham said. “It seems to be going pretty well so far.”