OCR Text |
Show Friday, m. 22007$ It'; exciting to be a couple. If you are ready to announce an engagment or a recent marriage, let other; know. It'* a; eaiy a; going to your computer. Click on WEDDING NEW5 @ www.utah/tate/man.com and fill in your info. O r /end to office@;tate;man.uju,edu. Publi/hed both online and in The State/man. Now, that; good new;! Patrick Oden/poden@a.usu.edu THE MENU AT U B E A U S boast 42 different sandwhichs and 47 kinds of milkshakes for customers to choose from. The LaBeaus keep their place a family affair life if I had sold the restaurant," she said. "Staying busy with the store helped me cope." The day after Thanksgiving 1988, it was Near the shores of Bear Lake sits a family- decided the Garden City restaurant would no owned restaurant, LaBeau's, that has become longer be the only location. a landmark to many travelers. LaBeau said her son Brent decided to Renee LaBeau and her late husband Bob build the store that is still in its original spot had a dream to open their own business, so along 1400 North in Logan. Renee, who still they turned to the classified ads. In early runs her store in Bear Lake, said her store January and February of 1981, one ad caught is a seasonal store, only open from May to their eyes, LaBeau said, for a drive-in up for October, but the store her son owns is open sale in Garden City, Utah. all year long. "One thing lead to another and before we They have come a long way since those knew it, we bought the store," she said. first years of operation. When it first opened, Out of all the businesses Renee could the menu had four sandwiches and 20 have started she chose a shakes to choose from, restaurant. She said she ^^^^^^mmm^m said Shauna LaBeau, a was always interested in manager of the Logan the food industry, and location and junior in combining that with family finance. Today's her son Brent LaBeau's menu has expanded to Comments to remember fast-food experience at 42 sandwiches, as well as "It would have been the biggest chicken strip meals, and McDonalds, they went to work. has 46 shakes to please mistake of my life if I had sold almost everyone. Soon the sign for the the restaurant. Staying busy bought-out Western Shauna is the grandDrive-In was taken daughter of Renee, and with the store helped me cope" down to be replaced her dad Brent owns the Renee with its new name that ^ ^ LaBeau, ^ ^ _ _ _ owner __ Logan location. She said would stand from 1981 she enjoys working at to the present. At first the restaurants with her the business was slow, family. She is one of 10 but each year following, the pace quickened grandchildren, nine of which have worked as the costumers kept coming, Renee said. summers at the Bear Lake LaBeau's. Now one of the most popular places around "I started working when I was nine, washBear Lake, she said cars can be seen parked ing tables. It was fun to be with my cousins up and down the road for about a block both working at Bear Lake," she said. ways. Shauna also said some of the most popular "As many years as I have had the business, items on the menu are the raspberry shakes, it's still a thrill to see all the cars parked out- which Renee said are made with Bear Lake side the store. It makes me feel really good," raspberries, and the LaBeau's special, a hamshe said. burger patty served with ham slices. They had reached their goal: They had Jamie Spooner, a sophomore majoring in opened a family owned restaurant and were business, said his family has a tradition of working together to make it run smoothly. going to LaBeau's every time they go to Bear But the legend of LaBeau's came close to not Lake. He said his personal favorite is the making it past that first year along the shores famous raspberry shake. of Bear Lake, she said. "I didn't know they had one here in Logan. Renee said as a new restaurant owner, That makes my day," Spooner said. He said a family loss almost made them shut their even when they go to Beaver Mountain, he doors. Bob LaBeau passed away in 1982, just sometimes makes the extra drive to Bear one year after the restaurant opened. Lake for the food. "Many people told me to sell the restauRenee has enjoyed the restaurant busirant," she said, but some advice from a mem- ness and how it keeps the family close. "It ber of her church told her not to make any has been a great experience running the major decisions the first year after the passstore, and I love being there (Bear Lake) in ing of her husband. the summertime," LaBeau said, "It's been so Twenty-five years later, she said she has good to have my family around, I just love never regretted keeping the restaurant. "It every minute of it." would have been the biggest mistake of my —dwkeocher@cc.usu.edu BY DALLIN KEOCHER Senior Writer Speak Up I crtt^^ .rwm Trom'i I ism arnts^ m lil dill today/: sikcircreek |