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Changeup for Durango sports bar

Retired officer, former youth baseball director take over Bent
Jeff Tipton, left, and Richard Roskowinski explain the remodeling and changes made to the former Bent Urban Sports Bar, which the pair has purchased and will rechristen as The Main Event sports bar on Friday.

What business deal do you get when you have a retired Durango police officer and the former executive director of Youth Baseball Southwestern Colorado?

A brand-new all American sports bar.

Jeff Tipton and Richard “Roskow” Roskowinski purchased the bar formerly known as Bent Urban Sports Bar at 42 East Animas Road (County Road 250), to make their retirement dreams come true. The duo officially took over the establishment Tuesday from previous owners Ken and Amber Pedigo. In the blink of an eye, the bar, renamed the Main Event, will be revamped and ready for its debut Friday.

Tipton said he was not worried that the team only has three days to turn the place around.

“I can get anything you need last minute. We can get it done,” he said.

The Main Event will feature several 70-inch televisions screens throughout the dinning area and a 107-inch television for main sporting events. Customers will have the opportunity to watch the game of their choosing upon their arrival, Tipton said.

“That’s not including the TV’s in the bathrooms,” Roskow said.

Television sets also will be found in both the men and women’s restrooms to ensure clients don’t miss a moment of their favorite sporting event.

In an effort to be customer-centered, the business partners researched what previous customers didn’t like about Bent to make the necessary improvements. One big issue was that the previous facility desperately needed blinds or drapes, the partners said.

There were too many complaints about the sun shinning in late afternoons and creating a glare on the television sets.

A new menu is also on the list of changes.

Some of food-items include, soups, wings, truffle fries, salads and one all-American ground-chuck burger with the toppings of your choosing.

The bar owners also plan to use their available resources.

“We’re going to use Bread bread,” Roskow said excitedly.

It is important to the owners that the bar have both a fun and an all-American atmosphere. A giant flag is going to hang from the ceiling. Customers will be able to salute and stand for the national anthem before games, Tipton said. Four additional flags will hang outside.

A foosball and old-school hockey table are scheduled to come in. Also, with the help of Coors and other sponsors, several giveaways and raffles are planned.

Tipton retired last week after a 13-year career with the Durango Police Department. He’s always had a love of sports and has been, involved with several community sporting events including Battle of the Badges, a philanthropy where firefighters play police officers in a softball tournament. The proceeds go to the Southwest Special Olympics and the One Hundred Club.

The former employees of the bar will remain, Tipton said. He also may hire more people if needed. For now, he plans to help as much as he can and perhaps even give his 15-year-old son a part-time job, he said.

He is optimistic the business will do well because of his connections throughout Durango. He’s even expecting several former colleagues and acquaintances from the La Plata Sheriff’s Office, DPD and the Durango Fire Protection District to christen the bar on its big night, he said.

Roskow will work more behind the scenes, but nonetheless, he is still a fifty-fifty partner with Tipton when it comes to ownership and finances, he said.

If all goes well, and they are optimistic that it will, Tipton and Roskow have plans to expand.

“I’m very excited for this part of my life,” Tipton said.

vguthrie@durangoherald.com



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