The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

If you have not been in the Mint on Main Street in Big Sandy, go in and be prepared for the "Wow" factor. It isn't that there is a new floor and that the famous rocks that line the bar are again in place or that there is new paint throughout. It is more than that. It is a look that the Mint did not ever have before. For instance one of the owners, Marie Jappe says that most people who look back in the kitchen think there are all new appliances. Not true she said. It is just that with a new coat of white paint, the entire room looks new.

"We had the walk in freezer painted too so now it is white instead of gray and although we have the same two lights we have always had there, it is so bright you would think we had all new lighting there too," said Marie.

The floors are a wood grain laminate that just matches the rock bar floor and the walls perfectly and is beautiful to look at.

The Mint has come full circle so Marie thinks that it was time to do some basic remodeling.

Marie's dad, Walt Sivertsen bought the Mint in 1970 and sold it in 1980. Sivertsen got the bar back in 1996 after it had been closed for a time. He reopened it as it had always been a restaurant as well as a well equipped and fully stocked bar. In 2005 Tammy Houle bought the Mint from Sivertsen and sold it to the Jappe's, Walt's daughter and son-in-law Larry last December of 2016.

The bar and restaurant is built around three large rooms. There is the kitchen, the bar and what is called the dance hall but really is where many people eat lunch and dinner and even breakfast every Sunday morning.

The dance hall got a new paint job on its elaborate tin ceiling and walls which really opened that room up

Marie said that the bathrooms are still a work in progress but she hopes they will be complete soon.

One huge change was that workers came in and straightened out the floors in the Mint so they are no longer roller coaster like but level like they were when new.

So the changes have been massive at the Mint but nothing has changed the great menu that has kept many people happy and coming back week after week. Marie said that the hamburger macaroni soup is a crowd favorite although the taco soup is creeping up as a favorite.

In the sandwich department, hamburgers are always special at the Mint and a Mint Special which is a cube steak in a hoagie bun is very popular.

Most popular of all is the prime rib each Saturday night. It sells out almost always but if there is any left, the Mint serves a prime rib sandwich that is out of this world.

Marie said it was very good to get back into the Mint but it is far different being an owner than just working there for her folks. She remembers when cattle were still shipped from Big Sandy and cattle trucks lined Main Street and the Mint was full of cattle truck drivers, owners and buyers for as long as area ranchers were shipping.

The town has changed a lot since those days but Marie said that the Mint, its great food and libations have not changed much at all. The Mint is known for its western hospitality and that continues on.

A huge change for the Mint is in the offing as Mickey Kane's large collection of mounted animals will be moved next month to the Mint. They will be lighted and shown off in the dance hall and will really add to the ambiance of the building.

"I plan on putting a big add in the paper thanking all the people who came and helped us with this remodel," added Marie. "There were so many and they all worked long hours. We couldn't have done it without them."

Think about this. A new library building on Main Street and the Mint turning into a bright new building. What is next?