Bar Fly
Ron Stern holds the key to one
of the most talked-about sports bars.
'JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER
Showroom Hours: Monday-Friday 11-5 • Saturday 11-3 • or by appointment
48323 • 810-624-7300
Ron Stern collects as many as five fake IDs a week.
he autographed O.J. Simp-
son jersey at the far corner
of the bar hasn't drawn that
much attention. At least not
as much as the bar itself
Ron Stern, 24, of West Bloom-
field, recently opened Champions
Pub and Club, one of the more
popular sports bars around. Now,
a majority of Mr. Stern's time is
spent tending bar, so to speak.
-) With $600,000, including back-
ing from his father, Mr. Stern
found what he described as a
prime location (Haggerty near 14
Mile Road in Farmington Hills)
on the end of a small strip mall.
Three months ago, he opened
the doors of the 8,000-square-foot
bar, offering a full dinner menu,
`- dance floor, pool tables, large-
screen televisions and, of course,
sports memorabilia. In fact, he
just bought one of Isiah Thomas'
game-worn uniforms.
Cecil Fielder, who recently
made an unannounced visit to
Champions, has a signed jersey
there, as have Michael Jordan,
'Wayne Gretsky and a host of oth-
er professional sports figures.
Some items came from Mr. Stern's
personal collection. Others were
acquired via auctions.
"Having a dream, building it
and seeing people come in and en-
joy themselves is very satisfying,"
Mr. Stern said. "It's also gratify-
-- ing to look around and know we
built this place from scratch."
Mr. Stern, who used to work for
his father's construction compa-
ny, helped with the construction
work.
The Red Wings' recent play-
off games, which coincided with
the opening of Champions, boost-
-ed
/— Mr. Stern's business. A few
hours before each game, eager
hockey fans staked out tables at
the upscale sports bar, leaving
standing room only when the
puck dropped.
While most bar goers are out to
enjoy a few beers and perhaps a
chance to write the number of a
prospective date on a napkin, Mr.
Stern always had an ulterior mo-
tive for liking the bar scene.
"I'd go to nightclubs to watch
the way the whole thing was run,"
said Mr. Stern, who always knew
he wanted to be in the business.
"I watched the crowd and the bar-
tender and I'd listen to the music.
I found it all very interesting."
Mr. Stern has long been famil-
iar with the runnings of a restau-
rant. At 15, he was a dishwasher
at a local restaurant. Two years
later, he was managing it.
Now, Mr. Stern said, an 80-90-
hour work week is not unusual.
Although he doesn't get to work
much before 2 p.m., he leaves 12
hours later. Weekends mean leav-
ing "the office" at 4:30 a.m., long
after the bar closes. Although his
schedule could put a damper on
Mr. Stern's social life, it doesn't.
His friends and girlfriend spend
time at the bar.
After three months of business,
Mr. Stem said he is close to break-
ing even on his investment and
has thoughts of finding a second
location.
A majority of his business
comes from alcohol sales. With
600-700 customers through the
doors on a Friday night, Mr. Stern
said he can bring in between
$7,000 and $10,000 in an evening.
The bar is one of the top five in
Budweiser sales in the tri-coun-
ty area, the company told Mr.
Stern.
One person, however, who
hasn't contributed to the alcohol
consumption is the owner. Iron-
ically, Mr. Stern does not drink.
He hates the taste of alcohol. ❑
rooeru
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