Caledonia Argus

VFW to close club in Caledonia

Posted: 10/21/03

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

A multitude of factors have caused Caledoniaís VFW Veteranís Club to permanently close at the end of October.

The club, located at 129 South Marshall Street, opened in about 1963. It has been a popular spot for veterans and other people to gather for a beer, a bowl of popcorn, and some good conversation.

But financial and social changes have combined to bring the closure, VFW members said.

ìThe club itself hasnít made any money for many years,î said Duane St. Mary, the assistant quartermaster for the clubís sponsor, Houston County VFW Post 3833.

ìTimes have changed. Peopleís consumption habits have changed a lot.î

People donít go out as much as they used to, VFW commander Matt Schellsmidt said, partly because of the state of economy, and partly because of tougher laws.

ìIf the bar isnít generating the revenue to stay afloat, itís just a matter of time till the ship sinks,î he said.

St. Mary said that the State of Minnesota had recently lowered the amount of rent that can be paid out of a gambling fund.

That made the rent that the club was paying the buildingís owner, American Legion Post 191, too expensive, St. Mary said.

An attempt to renegotiate the lease was unsuccessful, St. Mary said.

Legion adjutant Bob Hosch said the legion made a good proposal to the VFW.

St. Mary added that the VFWís gambling proceeds are going down, because two other gambling sites are in operation in Caledonia. ìThe potís only so big.î

The club has money in the bank, but members didnít want to use it to subsidize a bar that was losing money, St. Mary said.

ìYouíre paying out more than youíre bringing in. It was just time to close it.î

Schellsmidt said he would liked to have seen the Legion take over the bar. ìNow thereís going to be nothing in Caledonia to represent what the veterans do for Caledonia other than funeral details.î

The bar will be missed, St. Mary said. ìIt was a place for people to go and meet, veterans and that. Have some comraderie. Itís just not economically feasible to keep it . . . It was a tough choice. You canít run things at a loss.î

The older VFW members are senior citizens, St. Mary said. ìWorld War II guys are disappearing. Our membership is going downhill. I think we just lost four members last month that have passed away.î

Charities will suffer

The closure will have a big impact on non-profit organizations, Schellsmidt said. ìI regret that it has to be that way, because the charitable gaming money that we gave away over the years is really going to hurt the community of these non-profit organizations. Itís sad to see it come but our hands are kind of tied.î

His organization gave away about $43,000 last year, but without pull tabs from the bar, that will end.

ìTheyíre going to have to go somewhere else to seek revenues,î he said.

One organization that will feel an impact is Care and Share, a non-profit group that provides Christmas gifts for less-fortunate children in Houston County. Last year the VFW gave them $3,000. This year they will receive nothing.

ìIt will affect how much the families receive this year,î Bonnie Goetzinger, a Care and Share board member, said. Other donations are down also, she said.

ìI canít say enough for the VFW members for what they have given area families in the past,î Goetzinger said. ìI canít thank them enough.î

The VFW gives three scholarships to each of the Houston County schools, but that will end too.

VFW Club patrons were reluctant to speak on the record when questioned by a reporter on October 15. Some people were angry, but they wouldnít say why.

Dave Ranzenberger would only comment, ìUnited we stand, divided we fall.î

Several patrons said they felt bad it was closing, because it had been the site of a lot of good times, good parties, and good popcorn.

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