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Back on ‘the grid’: Brothers have big plans for popular North Tahoe venue

Jason Shueh
Sierra Sun

KINGS BEACH, Calif. and#8212; For brothers Mike and Gary Hayes, reopening the former Tradewinds in downtown Kings Beach is more than simply an entrepreneurial venture and#8212; itand#8217;s the gamble of a lifetime.

Planning an opening date between June 15 and July 1, the brothers, former pilots for United Airlines who were let go during the airlineand#8217;s massive layoff period last year, moved from St. Louis and invested their entire life savings into the bar and restaurant now renamed The Grid Bar and Grill and#8212; a tribute to the Kings Beach neighborhood north of Highway 28, known by locals as and#8220;The Grid.and#8221;

and#8220;For the last 10 years Iand#8217;ve been really interested in running a pub or sports bar, and so has my brother,and#8221; Mike Hayes said. and#8220;And our goal is to provide a casual place for people to come and have a cocktail after work at a reasonable price.and#8221;



The brothers and brother in-law and business partner Shane McColgan purchased the propertyand#8217;s restaurant, 11 apartments and six-space mobile home park for $1.1 million from Seattle-based Sterling Savings Bank. Previously, the bank took over the deed to the 8545 N. Lake Blvd. property for $1.423 million at a public auction in February 2009.

Hayes said he and his brother are topping off the last pieces of remodeling, including a new ceiling, floor, deck and outside to-go window.



and#8220;Right now weand#8217;ve really just fixed up the place and#8212; itand#8217;s looking real good,and#8221; Hayes said.

After final Placer County permits are received to install a remodeled kitchen, Hayes said a soft opening is planned with the goal of a grand opening near the July 4 holiday.

Keeping with the former Tradewinds tradition, Hayes said theyand#8217;ll host a number of live music events, including local bands, open mic nights and karaoke. This, in addition to the 14 flat screen TVs inside and outside the restaurant.

and#8220;We really wanted to cater to the locals,and#8221; Hayes said. and#8220;We know the place had a pretty good following so we want to continue that following.and#8221;

Cheri Sprenger, the executive director of the North Tahoe Business Association, said the association has already been working with the brothers who have agreed to host one of associationand#8217;s Music on the Beach events in July.

and#8220;Any new business and#8212; and especially a family-owned business and#8212; is great for Kings Beach and Tahoe.and#8221; Sprenger said.

For more information, visit the restaurantand#8217;s website at http://www.thegridbarandgrill.com.


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