ThunderPress West

TPW-JAN16

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52 nJanuary 2016n www.thunderpress.net by Felicia Morgan CAVE CREEK, ARIZ., NOV. 26—Scoundrels come in all forms and it ain't always easy to recognize a cur when you see 'em, but you can always tell when bikers come to offer aid: they arrive with open arms and, usu- ally, a plan. The Buffalo Chip Saloon & Steakhouse is a landmark restaurant on the main drag of Cave Creek, the western-themed town with a popula- tion of less than 5,000 and the big buf- falo statue on top has served to draw cowboy-curious tourists in right along with biker crowd. Many locals in the close-knit community have fond mem- ories of learning to dance at the iconic saloon and a taste of the Wild West came with every shot slung across the old bar. Known as a family-friendly place, the Chip had a sort of mini- rodeo with twice-weekly bull riding competitions, barbecues and live bands and the television usually had a ball game of some sort fl ickering across the screen. In the wee hours of Thanksgiving morning, as the Buffalo Chip employ- ees were making ready for a day of serving customers who planned to scream their way through the Packers vs. Bears game and chow down on smoked turkey and all the good stuff that goes with a holiday spread, a fi re broke out in the restroom. Residents who call themselves "creekers" and the locals we spoke to said the fi re department came out and did their best to snuff the blaze in the front of the restaurant, which originally opened in 1951, but efforts were made more diffi cult since the building had no sprinkler system. Fire hydrants are scarce in the area and they ran out of water, but the fi re seemed extinguished so the fi remen left, only to be called back when another fi re sparked in the attic some four hours later. This time, though they fought hard, there really wasn't much the fi refi ghters could do and the front part of the historic build- ing could not be saved, though a back portion remains intact. Local reports state that investigators immediately determined arson and it's thought that a disgruntled and not-too-brilliant cus- tomer set the fi re. Sheriff Joe Arpaio expressed confi dence that an arrest is expected soon. Meanwhile, some 120 employees were left without a job at the beginning of the holiday season. Immediately, locals offered their support as Chip owner Larry Wendt announced that he would rebuild. Various businesses stepped up to hire displaced workers, organize fundrais- ers and pitch in to get employees on their feet. We've always found it interesting that one side of the street is primarily cowboy-fl avored businesses while the other side houses biker plac- es like the Hideaway, but customers of both camps wander at will and every- one seems to get along, so it came as no surprise when we discovered that the biker-oriented businesses stepped right up to contribute. Each neighbor shared that they were donating their products for auction, attending the fun- draisers (or both) and Buddy Stubbs manager Jack Stubbs shared that his shop had Buffalo Chip T-shirts for sale with a portion of the proceeds going to help the employees. "This really sucks," Jack told us as he stood looking at the charred remains of the skeleton of the build- ing across the street. A pair of cowboy boots hung from the fence, with an American as well as an Arizona state fl ag. A support banner hung beside them and the scorched outline of the toppled buffalo statue lay amongst the rubble that remains fenced-off and wrapped with yellow caution tape. "Just imagine what those employees are going through, and at Christmas? We're helping. Actually, we're all helping. Go ask those guys down at the gun shop, and the Custom Saddlebag Liner shop; we're all pitch- ing in." Each proprietor said that they were all donating, each proving that bikers step up when they see a need and each one offered sympathy as well since, in reality, the same fate could befall any of them. Wendt has stated publicly that he'll rehire all his employees after the rebuild and the president of the Parkway Bank & Trust in Cave Creek has established a foundation account for donations. Contributions can be sent to the Buffalo Chip Employee Fund, phone 480.488.4440. 4 FIRE AT THE OLD SALOON Benevolent bikers Stepping up to the task A livestock pen and scorched lumber are the physical remains of a favorite Wild West watering hole but the family spirit has gone untouched by the evil deeds of an arsonist. Instead, the community has rallied together to support the owners of the Buffalo Chip Saloon and their employees.

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