Scoots opens in Sisters

Folks in Sisters have an additional establishment to choose from when considering a night out on the town.

Dave and Christine Lentz are very excited about the opening of their latest business venture, Scoots Bar & Grill, at 175 N. Larch St., in the location of the old Sisters Smokehouse Corral.

Dave is a native Oregonian, and Christine is from Southern California. They were longtime visitors to the Sisters area, and decided that when their children grew up they'd move here.

About four-and-a-half years ago they did.

The Lentzes told The Nugget that although this isn't their first business venture, it's the first time they've opened an eating and drinking establishment. There was great anticipation among patrons.

"Every day we're at the doors telling people 'Not yet'" said Dave. Chris said "I can't go anywhere without hearing 'when are you going to open?'"

The couple opened Scoots on Saturday on a beautiful warm day and the opening day crowd was substantial.

The Lentzes improved on the existing space, opening it up to provide more room, with separate areas for different activities such as billiards (two tables), ping-pong and electronic dart-boards. Other options for entertainment will include video gaming consoles, an Internet jukebox and a horseshoe pitch outdoors.

There are seating areas indoors and out, with sidewalk tables on Larch Street, and a lawn area with a bandstand along Main Avenue.

The hours will be seven days a week, from 11 a.m. until midnight "or later..."

The owners stressed that: "We're not here for the tourist buck. We really want to cater to the locals. What's really lacking here (in Sisters) is a place locals can go and not pay tourist prices. We'll have a somewhat limited, but healthy menu. Fresh salads, nothing frozen. There'll be choices for everybody. It'll involve a bit more prep time, but it'll be worth it."

The bar will be a non-smoking establishment - "from day one. We don't want to exile anybody, everybody's welcome. We'll have a smoking area outside."

Dave and Chris want to make Scoots a gathering place, and a local destination for live music.

"We're going to have as much live music as we can, as often as we can. Maybe a karaoke night, maybe an open mic night," Dave said. "There's already a lot of folk and jazz music in town, and we'll be having that, but we also want to include plenty of blues and classic rock as well."

Music isn't the only idea for entertainment.

"We've been approached by bike clubs and car clubs wanting to have events here. A belly dancer has asked us if she and her group can come and perform," Dave said.

"What we're really trying to do" said Chris, "is make it a fun place for people to come and do things other than just drink."