We’re super thrilled to share that Jack Gaal is taking on a well-deserved new title – Retiree – and his long-time super server Samantha ‘Sam’ Thompson will be taking over as the new Owner of Jack’s Place!
In case you’ve lived under a rock for the past decade, Jack’s Place is the highly successful sports bar and grill located in downtown Boulder City at 544 Nevada Way, sandwiched between Tony’s Pizza and Milo’s Cellars. There is not a weekend day or evening that the place isn’t hopping with either live music or the most important must-see televised sports on their screens circling the the establishment.
Jack purchased the spot back in June of 2012 and he says he knew exactly what he wanted to do with it. They doubled the space in an extensive remodel redoing the kitchen and bar area to turn it into what it is today. Jack told us he had about 5,000 advisors who were full of ideas about what he should do, but he says his wife Katie was his greatest champion because she shared his vision and they both knew it would work. And boy did it!
Now a staple of Boulder City’s restaurant row the place runs like a well-oiled machine. Jack says he has been looking to retire for a while now as both he and his wife have had some recent health struggles. Other potential owners wanted to make changes to the way the business runs or change out the staff, but that wasn’t what he wanted. Enter – Samantha.
‘Sam’ as most patrons know her started at Jack’s Place as a server about 5 years ago. She had cut her teeth in the business working previously in Boulder City at the old Inner Circle Bar (where The Tap stands now) and also at The Oasis. Sam says she got to know both Jack and Katie as patrons there, but Jack says he has always had a policy where he would not poach servers from another location in town. So once Sam had made her decision they hired her and never looked back.
Jack says she is an A+ server who has learned the business from almost all angles and started talking to him about her interest in taking over about three years ago. In the end she won out because as Jack says, “there are more important things than money” and he really wants the place to carry on as is, with his well-trained staff in place.
Sam tells us there will be a few new updates. New rotating food and drink specials will be on the horizon, but the vibe and the atmosphere will be all intact. Jack’s has often been part of the community through service in a variety of ways. They recently donated towards the Sandy Nelson Celebration of Life, and also recently won a first-place award for the Hammer’s Grill & Bar Bloody Mary Challenge where the staff also raised over $12,000 for the Children’s Hospital of Nevada at UMC.
This Friday, June 24th will be their 10-year Anniversary Party at Jack’s which will be luau themed with food, drink specials and lots of fun entertainment. Time is 5pm – 10pm and we’d advise you get their early for the best spot. Sam will officially take over as the new owner on July 1st.
Jack tells us for now his first goal is to regain some strength – he’s cancer free and soon to celebrate is 75th birthday in August. So, expect to still see him and Katie around town again in the near future, and when you do give them a hearty hug! Congratulations to both the Gaal’s and Samantha!
