Hummel takes the helm of local hangout

Since mid-June Lisa Hummel has expanded her role at the Ritzville Pastime Bar & Grill from employee to owner, effectively completing a dream of hers to one day own a bar.

Hummel entered an agreement to purchase the establishment on June 19, and has been actively working to spruce up the place and develop a new menu and other offerings that will increase business and make the Pastime a regular stop for more area residents.

While waiting for the Washington State Liquor Control Board to grant her license, Hummel is working as general manager under the current owner’s license. The transaction will be complete when she acquires her state license, which can be a lengthy process.

Customer service roles aren’t new to Hummel. During the 20 years she has lived in the area, having moved here from Montana, she has worked as branch manager at Sterling Bank and as a loan officer at US Bank. After leaving the banking industry, Hummel has worked for several local establishments including the Whisperin’ Palms and the Pastime.

The work schedule in the local bars and taverns were flexible enough that she could be there whenever her daughter needed her while struggling through a childhood illness.

“I got into bartending because of Ashley’s illness,” she said. “It was a job I could walk away from any time I needed to. But I have always wanted to buy a bar.”

In the past month Hummel and her friends have been deep cleaning the Pastime, painting and doing things to add personality. Local cartoonist Jim Lisk has been contributing, drawing caricatures of locals who frequent the establishment, helping Hummel create a “human wall.”

“I want to make sure that everyone likes coming in,” she said. “I plan to provide activities for everyone. Someday I would like to even get a shuffleboard table.”

Hummel also intends to rebuild the stage that was once present in the back of the bar where people like to dance.

An expanded menu is on the horizon. Hummel’s biggest goal in the kitchen it to reconstruct the broaster so she can begin serving broasted chicken, which has been a long-time favorite in Ritzville.

While waiting for parts for the broaster, Hummel has already added a couple of food specials. Every Tuesday beginning at 4 p.m. the Pastime now hosts Taco Tuesdays. In the near future, likely in August, Hummel plans to debut an expanded menu and offer regular meal specials throughout the week.

A large scale plan is to expand the kitchen to better handle the demands of a larger menu.

Until that’s completed, Hummel is plenty busy working shifts and conducting the daily tasks that come with being a new business owner.

During the summer the Pastime Bar & Grill will be open Monday through Saturday at 11 a.m. When football returns, the establishment will be open on Sundays for the National Football League season.