Hidden Gems: Meet Robert Beck of Doc’s Sauble River Inn

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Beck. 

Robert, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
About three years ago the Marine Corps let me come back to Free Soil Mi where I grew up to take care of my Father who was diagnosed with Sarcoma cancer. During this time my father and I would get fish from Docs Sauble River Inn every Friday. I became friends with the previous owner and the staff. My Father loved their Fish, it was a comfortable place to go the staff was always friendly and took my mind off of my father’s situation for the short periods I was there. I would jokingly ask the owner every time I went in if he would sell me the bar. He would always say no until one day he said yes! When my father unfortunately passed, I decided that it was time to submit for retirement. I was already back home and Over 20 years in the Marines so I decided to retire and try my hand at running a business. I had no prior restaurant experience it was all new to me. I decided that I was just going to do whatever I wanted advertising and business-wise until someone told me I couldn’t lol. My staff and I just have as much fun as we can and utilize Facebook and social media to advertise. It’s been going great! I believe working at Docs is more fun than it is a job. I try to make sure the patrons are having just as much fun as we are. My Beautiful wife and daughters have been super supportive and are there with me right by my side as much as they can. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing worth having is easy. It’s been hard work both learning the restaurant business and learning how to be your own maintenance man. I have learned that owning a business like this is a 24-hour job. Something always goes wrong, something breaks, someone has an issues. But the good time’s definitely out weight the bad. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Doc’s Sauble River Inn is a Bar and Grill. We are best known for our amazing Friday fish Fry and our customer service. We have a great beer and alcohol selection and serve a Mean Steak! We sell consistency. Our reviews speak for themselves. My staff is amazing, they enjoy being part of the team. That’s what I want the readers to know. Our goal is to have fun and make Docs a destination location. We involve the patrons and try to make sure they have a blast and enjoy great food. I believe we have two of the best chefs in the area and I would put them against anyone. They love cooking and it shows! 

What makes you happy?
My team and my patrons make me happy. Seeing my team have a blast every night and enjoy being at work is amazing. Hearing from the patrons that they came in and enjoyed the food as well as the staff is a great feeling. Running a Bar is a completely different beast than the Marine Corps. It’s made me happy that I was able to transition into a business that brings me just as much happiness (with a totally different level of stress) lol 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.docssaubleriverinn.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063541421340&mibextid=LQQJ4d