Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Fortier.
Hi Catherine, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The building itself was a one-room schoolhouse in the 1890s. Since then, it has been a church, a grange hall and, for several years, completely abandoned. In fact, my friends and I used to play on the steps of the empty building.
In 1978, I watched Marguerite Rice transform it into a different kind of “church,” as locals liked to call it back then. A few years after opening, Rice sold the business to Jan and Gordy Ritter.
The Ritters quickly added a kitchen and turned it into the best local spot to grab a burger and a beer.
They owned and operated the Barn Door for 20 years before Michael (my now ex-husband) and I purchased it on Jan. 17, 2002. Since my family still lived here—and my mom had worked at the Barn Door since day one—it made sense when we heard it was for sale.
From 2002 to today, we’ve weathered a recession, the rise of social media, major family losses, a divorce, liquor restrictions, a smoking ban, a pandemic, food shortages and growth I never could have imagined.
We started with five employees: myself, Michael, my mother, my sister and my cousin. Today, we have 17 employees. More than half have been with me for five years or more, with Cheri and Deana—my sister and cousin—starting year 25.
The Barn Door has grown from a bar that served no food into a full-service restaurant with a full bar.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Besides everything else I’ve mentioned, 2011 was the hardest year of all.
In August 2011, Michael and my divorce was finalized.
In September 2011, my dad’s partner of 18 years passed away.
Then, in October 2011, my 10-year-old nephew—who was like a son to me and a little brother to my own son—passed away unexpectedly.
Owning a business hits you from both sides: personal and professional. There’s no pause button, no time-out corner and no graceful way to separate grief from responsibility. The balancing act can be nerve-racking on a good day. In a year like that, it was survival.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m not great at tooting my own horn, so let’s just call this my résumé. 😂
I joined the U.S. Air Force at 17, right out of high school. My goal was simple: travel, see the world, experience new opportunities, and earn an education along the way. The government had other plans.
I spent nearly 10 years assigned to one base, one office, and one job: Public Affairs. I was one of three people responsible for writing, photographing, editing, and publishing a 24-page weekly base newspaper.
One of my favorite annual assignments was tracking Santa — a perk of having our office attached to NORAD.
After leaving the military, I applied those skills to every job I’ve held since: attention to detail, organization, coordination, communication, and event planning. The training never left; it just changed uniforms.
Today, the Barn Door is no longer just a restaurant with a full bar. It is a fully invested community advocate.
That shift began after the death of my nephew, Caleb. We learned quickly that people struggle to talk about death — especially when it involves a child. Many didn’t know what to say or how to act, so they avoided us altogether.
Our response was the creation of the Free Christmas Eve Community Dinner. Our family wanted to remind people what the holiday is truly about: slowing down, being together, and removing stress. No cooking. No cleaning. Just time — something we can’t get back with Caleb, but can offer to others.
In 2025, we served our 14th dinner. Every year, donations are collected and redistributed directly back into the local community. To date, more than $30,000 has been raised and given to organizations, families, and individuals in need.
That generosity created a ripple effect. One recipient, Michael King, went on to start an annual Pay It Forward golf outing. His event has since raised nearly $30,000 each year.
If you ask what the Barn Door is known for, the answer has changed. We were once known for our burgers. Today, we’re known as a community leader — showing up when and where help is needed.
What am I most proud of? Resilience. Mine, my staff’s, and my family’s — especially my son’s. Owning a business is not for the faint of heart. It demands constant attention and has all the emotional maturity of a perpetual 2-year-old.
My son sacrificed a great deal while we “raised” the business together. My hope is that one day he will take the controls and continue the Barn Door’s path forward.
What sets me apart? There’s no gray area. The military taught me discipline, organization, and how to work with people from every background imaginable — along with a healthy amount of counseling over the years. 😂
I guess this is also where I tell you about my awards.
2017 – Isabella County’s Working Woman of the Year
2023 – Distinguished Citizenship Award
2023 – Recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award
2024 – Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award
Over the years – several “Best of” categories for the restaurant and staff.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
My biggest risk was listening to Michael, my ex-husband, when he suggested we quit our corporate jobs in Baltimore, Maryland, to buy a struggling restaurant.
Our experience? Minimal at best. I had worked fast food in high school. Michael had waited tables briefly. That was the résumé.
That risk came at a high cost. Financial strain. Less one-on-one time with my son. A failed marriage. Strained relationships with extended family. And more stress and sacrifice than I care to relive.
There were moments when survival, not success, was the goal.
But we’re still here.
Stronger.
Wiser.
And so is the community — in part because of that decision. We helped build something that grew beyond us.
As for personal growth, life found its balance.
I remarried and quickly learned I didn’t know I needed a Stan in my life until I had a Stan. 😂
My ex-husband and I are now good friends, which allows us to give our adult son something that matters far more than old grievances — a supportive, well-rounded family with plenty of extended love.
Growth didn’t just happen in business. It happened at home, too.
Bottom line: the risk was worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: Barndoorbar.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBarnDoorMtPleasant
