LET THE ADVENTURE CONTINUE
WITH GREATER COMPANY GROWTH IN MIND, BRIAN NOLAN SELLS THE BEAVER CREEK AND VAIL CHOPHOUSE TO PHIL LONG AND ROEMERADO, LLC.
VAIL VALLEY, Colorado, August 7th, 2015 — Twenty-seven years ago GROUP970 Restaurant Company Owner Brian Nolan moved to the Vail Valley and opened his first restaurant. Therefore, it seems only fitting that the recent sale of two of his flagship restaurants, the Vail and Beaver Creek Chophouses, would be to another long-time local. Eagle Valley resident and well known local business owner and performer, Phil Long, and partners Daniel and Stacy Roemer (Roemerado, LLC) purchased the Vail and Beaver Creek Chophouse locations this week and will take over ownership and operation of the two slopeside locations on August 20th.
It was not without great thought or consideration that company owner Brian Nolan and the GROUP970 team made the decision to sell the two Chophouse locations. Having owned and operated the Chophouse concepts since their onset at the Beaver Creek Lodge in 1999, Nolan’s influence can clearly be seen throughout the various touches that define the concept and each location holds a definite place in the restaurant owner’s heart. However, over sixteen years and many restaurant and life lessons later, Nolan has realized it is time for a new adventure. With a company motto of “Food. Drink. Adventure.” would you expect anything less? The company recently opened two restaurant locations in New Braunfels, Texas and is excited to be considering many more growth opportunities in the months and years ahead, both in the state of Colorado and out. However, regardless of where expansion may take them, the heart of GROUP970 will remain in the Vail Valley and Nolan and his team look forward to many more years of working with their great community partners, friends and neighbors in Beaver Creek and Vail. GROUP970 Director of Communications Sarah Franke commented to this effect, saying “With each new area we explore we are also reminded of how great a community the Vail Valley is and how lucky we are to operate here. That is definitely not lost on Brian or any of us that work for GROUP970 and that will not change, no matter how big or far we grow.”
It was also not without great thought that Nolan has sold the Chophouse concepts to Long and his partners. A very well-known Vail entertainer, Phil Long started playing music at the Red Lion in the heart of Vail Village during the 1987-88 ski season. In 2000 Long became a partial owner of the popular restaurant and bar and remains as such to date. However, after 25 years, Long was also ready for a change. It is with that sentiment that Long enthusiastically looks forward to a handful of exciting new ventures. In addition to expanding his entertainment and restaurant involvement throughout the Vail Valley, Long is also livening up the Denver restaurant scene this summer. Long looks to open Red Octave Kitchen & Bar, serving up live music and savory dishes, this August. Stacy and Dan Roemer have been coming to the Vail Valley for over 20 years. In 2003 they became property owners. They are excited to make the Vail Valley their permanent residence.
Though many of the exciting changes ahead for the Chophouse locations are yet to be revealed, there is one certainty known to date – Long will be bringing his music to the restaurants. Long and his guitar have been a staple experience for many Vail guests and locals alike for decades and it is with great excitement he looks to expand that experience to both Lionshead and Beaver Creek. When asked about bringing the Phil Long show to the slopeside locations the musician and restaurant owner said it best in stating, “It will be a thrill to welcome skiers off the slopes in both Vail and Beaver Creek with my music; and I am honored to own and operate these two amazing locations along with my partners Dan and Stacy Roemer. I can’t wait to introduce my friends and customers to my new “live entertainment” home.”
Though Nolan and Long share many years of restaurant experience to date, it is fair to say this upcoming year may produce the greatest amount of change and excitement either has seen in quite some time. A fact both men embrace as they look ahead to their next adventures.