Valley Club
a family affair
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RONAN — “Honky Tonk Blues” by Hank Williams was a top hit when the Valley Club first opened their doors in 1948. Seventeen years later, in 1965, when “The Sound of Music” won an Academy Award for best picture, the Valley Club fell into the hands of Eldon and Ruth Snyder and has been part of the family since.
“My grandpa Eldon passed the Valley Club onto my Uncle Kenny Snyder in 1989,” current owner Amber White said. She, along with her husband Chris White, bought the Valley Club from Kenny Snyder this past September.
“Out of all the grandchildren, I was the only one who had a love for the restaurant business,” she said.
The White’s closed the business until January 8, 2016 to complete a remodel to give the family joint a fresh look, according to Amber.
“We replaced the bar and bought new chairs, gave the patio a new vibe, and actually made it a non-smoking restaurant with an outside smoking shanty instead, which is heated and has a TV,” Amber said.
Other improvements include a growler fill station with local craft beers and an outdoor bar on the patio. Not only did Amber and Chris do a complete remodel, they are making the Valley Club a more family-friendly venue.
“We still have those late nights that are fun,” Amber said. “But, we also want to have a family karaoke night and movie night.”
Amber can remember when the bar and restaurant was known for it’s food. She is hoping to get the Valley Club back to that reputation.
“We have prime rib every Saturday,” Amber said. “We also serve breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.”
Chris is hoping that by buying the food locally, it will build stronger ties within the community.
“We just want to be able to support other area businesses,” Chris said. “We all have to work together.”
Bartender Brenda Longnecker has been at the Valley Club for the past seven months.
“We all get along really well and just have a fun time working,” Longnecker said. “It is a joy working for Amber and Chris.”
Amber said she always dreamed of owning a business and is excited for the future of the Valley Club.
“The hours a person puts in when they own a business was the most surprising,” Amber said. “When you love something this much, you have to put in the work.”
