Photo by Jim Muchlinski New Gambler owner Shauna Bjorklund purchased the business in October from former owner Tom Pearcy. She enjoys the ownership responsibilities, her employees and the customers.

MARSHALL — Shauna Bjorklund was interested in owning a business someday, and she found an opportunity sooner than expected.

She purchased The Gambler Sports Bar & Grill in downtown Marshall from longtime owner Tom Pearcy. The sale took effect on Oct. 1.

She decided to follow through on the opportunity based on her experience as an employee and manager at The Gambler over the past five years.

“Tom and I started talking about it several years ago,” Bjorklund said. “He was interested in selling and offered me the chance to be the buyer. I decided to go ahead with it. I wanted the opportunity.”

She graduated from Tracy High School in 2012, then earned a four-year marketing degree from Southwest Minnesota State University. She worked in marketing for the Heritage Pointe senior living facility before beginning to work at The Gambler.

“Owning a business was something I’d thought about,” she said. “It was something I maybe wanted at some point in the future. I didn’t think it would happen this soon.”

She said owning a business has required her to spend more hours at work. It also involves using a wider variety of skills.

“I’m learning a lot about accounting, business regulations and working with distributors,” she said. “I enjoy the learning process. It’s taught me some new things that will be very helpful in the future.”

She said part of what made her comfortable with the idea of ownership is the strong support Marshall gives to its entire business community.

Another reason is the staff and regular customers at The Gambler. She employs 10 people, and considers them vital to the success of her establishment.

“I love this place,” Bjorklund said. “The employees and customers are like family. I always enjoy being here. It’s always nice to come to work.”

She said one of the main ingredients to having a successful establishment is the personal ties formed with customers, especially those who visit on a regular basis.

“We strive to treat everyone like family,” she said. “We know their favorite drinks and their favorite food orders. If someone’s been here more than once, we want to remember their name and information about their family and jobs.”

She’s found that success with individual customers adds up, leading to a good reputation as a fun, relaxing, enjoyable place to spend an evening.

She enjoys meeting new customers and then seeing them as they stop by again. She considers people the most important part of her work.

“It all comes down to meeting the needs of the public,” Bjorklund said. “A great staff and loyal customers are what makes a place like The Gambler a success. They’re what’s most important.”

Sammi Thurnall, one of the employees at The Gambler, said she enjoys working for Bjorklund. She added that The Gambler is a great place to earn a paycheck.

“I love my job,” Thurnall said. “We have a great work environment. Everyone is super nice. It’s always fun to come to work and to see good crowds.”