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http://www.omniture.com --> Email Story to a Friend June 13, 2006 Eagle Point man snaps up historic Lake Creek Store By sanne specht Mail Tribune News that the historic Lake Creek Store was once again up for sale created a flurry of offers from people eager to negotiate their way to a new life. A local man was first in line to purchase the little store and restaurant in the small rural community off Highway 140 after former owner Carol Hale's health problems caused her to put the businesses up for sale. "I got there first," said John Albert Burgess of Eagle Point. "I read the story in the Tribune and within 15 minutes I was talking to Carol." The deal was sealed in less than three days, said Burgess. This is Burgess' first foray into a retail business. The restaurant is on hold while Burgess, who works for American Leak Detection, looks for a new chef. Meanwhile, he is living on site and has retained former-manager Kellie Uglesich to operate the store while he is at work. The store's planned hours of operation will be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. six days a week starting this weekend — closed Mondays, he said. "I want to support the local community," said Burgess. "People don't want to have to drive to Eagle Point for a loaf of bread. I'm going to keep it going as a general store." Burgess also is ordering souvenirs for Lake Creek's annual Civil War re-enactment, which will be held Saturday and Sunday at the property. The store and restaurant property are owned by Cascade Farms. But operation of the two businesses has been guided by several different owners — with just as many permutations of taste and style. Locals have a long history with the wooden 150-year-old store with the tin roof and wraparound porch, located between Eagle Point and Fish Lake. Lake Creek resident Louis Buck Walch's memories of the "watering hole" begin at age 5. During the Depression, owners saved many families by offering them credit on groceries, clothes, hardware and dry goods, said Walch, 85. When Walch heard Hale was selling, he had one word of advice for the next owner: "Whoever they are, they better know how to cook fried chicken," said Walch. "The ladies all like that." Hale's cowboy-chic cooking had attracted some dedicated followers, from helicopter pilots to local celebrities to ranch hands. Apparently some were envisioning themselves in Hale's apron. Hale fielded about 50 phone calls the day after her story was published in the Mail Tribune. Several were offering cash for her $50,000 business. But the former dot-com executive didn't allow a bidding war to occur between potential buyers because she'd given her word to Burgess, she said. "I had decided I wanted to exit with a fair price and move on," said Hale. "I think John's going to be great." Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy