STURGIS, S.D. (KELO) — The 84th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally brought along a new restaurant to town that hopes to become a mainstay.
Reality TV personality, Richard Rawlings, opened Gas Monkey Bar and Grill last Friday.
In just 72 days, Richard Rawlings went from finalizing the purchase of this location to having it open on the first official day of the rally.
“I mean we’re right across from Harley Sturgis and we’re the first stop if you will because they put this temporary stop sign here. And I want everybody to come on in and have a good time. You know, at the end of the day, Gas Monkey has been around for over 20 years, we’re in 100 countries and translated into 30 something languages, so we are definitely getting our fair share of the business,” Gas Monkey Owner Richard Rawlings said.
“I think it’s a really great add-on to the rally. To have places where you can go and sit down, have a meal, don’t have to eat out on the street. No, we really enjoy that part,” Rally Rider Dan Thonesen said.
Rawlings also acquired a liquor license for this location and plans to keep drink prices down.
“When we opened here we obviously had a beer, wine, and malt liquor licenses that came with the building. But it was important to us to get the actual liquor license and those are very hard to come by and very expensive but we went ahead and made the deal and got it bought and we’ve got a full bar, every time we’re open,” Rawlings said.
“I think it’s a great option to have right now for Sturgis. They did a really nice job here at the Gas Monkey, it looks like a beautiful place,” Thonesen said.
Once the rally is over, The Gas Monkey hopes to find ways to be involved with the community.
The Gas Monkey plans to stay open year-round not just at rally time.
