A Firewater first

Firewater Public House (Firewater) turned one year old on Aug 19.

"It is shocking to me that it has been a year already but simultaneously it feels slow but there is relief we got here, there is no doubt about that," Danny Burau said. "It feels like a good notch to have in the belt to say a year, even though nothing really changed."

He said there were a few surprises over the past year.

Burau had been told he would probably have trouble getting good staff, but he said that was not the case.

"I could not believe how many qualified people I was able to get," Burau said. "That was a big deal."

He said another surprise was the initial reception individuals gave him.

"There were some people so excited we were here and then we had some people who were hesitant that we had brought something new to the town and Valley," Burau said. "I think that was the most surprising thing, was how there were manners of reception to Firewater."

To celebrate his first year, Burau wanted to do something special. He is Saratoga's representative to the Carbon County Visitors Council and while on the board learned of the fundraising for Fossil Museum Cabin move to the Medicine Bow Museum. Burau decided half his profits for the day of the 19th would go to the cause.

Burau says he is considering doing a special on one of his food items to continue funding the move.

In addition to donating to the Fossil Museum Cabin, Burau celebrated by giving free ice cream out and having Laramie native John Will play music for his customers.

Will had once come in as a customer and picked up the house guitar and played it for fun. His music impressed Burau enough to where he has played a few times and was the musician the owner wanted for his year anniversary.

"I think we have had a great strong first year but are still in the learning phase," Tona Hall, general manager of Firewater said. "We have had excellent community support and our core staff that came here a year ago has been key to our success."

She said being one of the newest restaurants in town, the goal of Firewater was not only to meet the community's expectations but exceed them.

"I have to say 'thanks' to the town for being receptive to what we doing," Burau said. "There may have been people hesitant to come in, but we always felt welcome."

He said it was not only individuals that have supported him, but also business owners.

"It has been a blessing for all the support we have gotten for being the new kid on the block," Burau said.