Today we’d like to introduce you to Candace Capps.
Hi Candace, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
How I got started:
I was working as Director of Engineering in the healthcare space. While doing that, I wanted to start a fun place for the community to gather, hang with friends, create memories, have delicious food & drinks, and enjoy great music. It started off as a fun passion project and a year later I quit my job to focus full-time on The Groovin’ Grove.
History of the place:
Originally built in 1933 by the Bertorelli family, the property was known as Maple Grove Tavern and remained in their care until 1949. After a brief change in ownership, it was sold to Lillian “Grandma” Ingraham, who, along with her granddaughter Barney, ran “The Grove” until Grandma’s passing in 1979.
The Capps family had been regulars at The Grove for years—sharing good times, making friends, and building memories. In 1980, Gerry and Dixie Capps decided to turn those memories into a new adventure and purchased the beloved establishment. Their sons, Todd and Tom, carried on the family tradition, running The Grove through the late 1980s until 2003.
In 2003, Todd and Sheri Capps became the sole owners, proudly keeping the spirit of The Grove alive for another 20 years. After four decades of memories, they decided it was time for a new chapter.
That next chapter came with Todd’s daughters, Candace and Sam, who brought a fresh new vision while honoring the legacy their family built. After some thoughtful planning, a few updates, and a touch of remodeling, “The Grove” was reimagined as “The Groovin’ Grove.” Candace leads the way in creating a welcoming, music-filled atmosphere, while Sam, our talented bar manager, crafts the delicious cocktails guests have come to love. The space has evolved into a cozy, lounge-like environment featuring a revamped menu, live music, and the same great burgers that generations of guests have enjoyed.
At The Groovin’ Grove, our goal remains the same: to create a place where you can enjoy great food, great fun, and lasting memories.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Overall, it’s been a smooth road. Employees are family and great friends, my sister is the bar manager, which makes the day-to-day run smoothly. We have had bumps in the road, what hours should we be open, what days of week, how do we get people in the doors on non-music nights. Your typical small struggles. Music nights are our big draw and it’s not cheap to offer live music so we needed to figure out what dates to run music and which days to have non-music nights to be able to balance the small venue.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The The Groovin’ Grove is a pretty unique spot—think live music venue + cocktail lounge + retro hangout all rolled into one.
It’s a 21+ lounge known for live music, drinks, and a laid-back cool vibes place.
The vibe:
Retro theme (Lite-Brites, vintage décor, throwback feel)
Games available for visitors to pick up and have a healty competitive game night
Cozy atmosphere – funky living room meets a bar
Built for socializing
Music & events:
Regular live music throughout the week (local artists, bands, themed nights)
Smaller, intimate performances rather than large concert-style shows
Food & drinks:
Craft cocktails and a full drink menu
Flatbreads
Burgers
Appetizers
What people say about us:
“Hidden gem” feel—slightly off the main tourist strip
Consistent live music with good sound
Friendly, personable atmosphere where staff and regulars interact
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Come hang with us! We love to see our regulars and we love to meet new future friends! Help support us by joining us for a fun evening.
We love to collaborate with other local businesses, specifically non-profit business. We try every 6 months to work with a non-profit and do a give-back night where a percentage of our sales gets donated to the non-profit. Historically these have been with animal rescues. We plan to continue doing those.
Pricing:
- Food Pricing: $7 – $20
- Drinks: $7 – $14
- Cover Charge: $5 during live music, waived if $35 or more spent per person
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thegroovingrove.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558484411791
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGroovinGrove
