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Do Drop Inn Celebrates 50th Anniversary in Lee's Summit.
April 23, 2011
By Mary Pechar
The current generations at the Do are bar manager Amanda Ozee, her daughter, Lena Morgan, and owner, Susan Pfeiffer. The first generation, founders of the Do Drop Inn, Carl and Stella Pfeiffer
Tribune Photo/Fred Poese
The
“Do” as is know to the locals was started 50 years ago by Carl and
Stella Pfeiffer. 50 years and three generations later the bar has once
again re-invented itself to stay with the times.
It is owned by
the Pfeiffer’s daughter Susan Pfeiffer, who took over in 1985. Sue has
seen a lot of changes, over the years. “I’ve seen a lot of ups and
downs, a lot of 6 month cycles,” she commented, “but I’ve never seen the
challenges on a business like there are now. The good thing is we have
11 unique and different bars in Downtown Lee’s Summit. It really helps.
We have pub crawls and can support each other in a lot of ways.”
Now
managed by the third generation, Sue’s daughter, Amanda Ozee, they are
also serving third-generation customers. “The kids that grew up in and
out of my house are now in and out of the Do,” said Sue.
When
asked how the Do made it for 50 years, Sue was quick to respond, “Our
friends, loyal customers, and loyal employees. That is one thing that
has not changed over the years. Mom and Dad would have said the same
thing and so would Amanda. Mandy has worked here for 10 years and Micah
Rogers has been with us for 9. You have to be dedicated and willing to
work 7 days a week and long hours. You are here all the time so the
customers really become a family.”
Sue talks about how you have
to change with the times, re-invent yourself and above all have the
patience to out live the bad times, to wait for the tide to change. High
end beers that sell for $8.00 were added and then a popular retro
touch, PBR and Schlitz, the beer that made Milwaukee famous, are on tap.
The bar had a kitchen back in the 70’s and while the vents, etc
had been covered up, it was all still there. So while Sue was thinking
she wanted to add food back on the bar menu, BBQ enthusiasts Ron Wilson
and Scott Roberts, who had been participating in barbecue competitions
for a decade and their wives, Kamey Wilson and Debby Roberts were
looking for a place to set up operations.
So, one night over a
drink in the bar, Q’s Que became the food Sue was looking for. With
some hard work, Q’s Que BBQ opened on the exact date of the Do’s 50th
Anniversary. They feature barbecue sliders, slabs and meats
by-the-pound. It also serves sides like baked beans, cole slaw and
potato salad, and daily specials.
The Do Drop Inn and Q’s Que are
located at 22 SW 3rd St in Downtown Lee’s Summit. You may call the Do
at 816.525.7806 or the Que at 816.272.5475. Tell them the Tribune sent
you.
To reach Tribune Features writer Mary Pechar email her at Features@lstribune.net
To purchase Tribune photos, contact Fred Poese at http://www.fcn.photoreflect.com or email:sports@lstribune.net.
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