A special business mission at Fuzzy’s
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There are two displays inside Fuzzy's Bar that tell everything you need to know about Dan Fosvick and his business mission.
A large display cabinet prominently showcases football jerseys worn by Marshall football heroes Trey Lance, Blaise Andries and Reece Winkelman. Lance played for North Dakota State University, Winkelman for South Dakota State. Lance ended up being picked third overall in the 2021 NFL draft. Andries went on to play for the Minnesota Gophers and did sign with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Also in that display case is a photo of one of Fuzzy's regular customers that passed away. There are other items such as football helmets, a golfing glove and a picture with "I love you Dad!" written on the frame.
Dan, as it turns out, is proud of the connections he has made with Marshall's star athletes since he opened Fuzzy's in 2013. But he's also cherishes the relationships he has established with his customers and employees.
Dan thought I was the repair man from Spectrum when I showed up at the bar's back door Friday afternoon to talk about his bar business and those relationships.
"My son graduated in 2016 (from Marshall High School), so there was a couple players that graduated after him -- Trey Lance, Blaise Andries, Reece Winkelman. Those guys all played together at Marshall. Reece and Blaise were a couple years, a year or two ahead of Trey, and they went on to SDSU and Gophers. Got great college careers," Dan said.
He streamed all the NDSU and SDSU games and established following at the bar.
"Knowing the Lance family -- it was fun when Trey got drafted and all the (Marshall High School) coaches were out here in the back room and seeing these grown men with tears. So that was fun, and then they gifted me that that jersey,” he said.
Dan also talked about his relationships with his customers who are not football stars.
"I’ve created so many new friendships that I never would have guessed. That I wouldn’t have had if not having this bar," he said. "You know, that’s one of the reasons why we’re open 365 days a year. You know, there’s a lot of people that don’t have families for holidays, so this is their family, and they come in there and spend their time here."
He talked about the photo in the display case of the customer who passed away.
"When we lost Ray Root, it took a long time for us not to expect him walking in the back door on a Saturday afternoon. Always expected him in a certain time," Dan said.
Dan purchased the bar on Oct. 9, 2013. Owning a bar wasn't on his radar until he started talking with Art Olson with Wilson O'Brien Realtors while hanging out at Sam's Place (now Fuzzy's).
“I had previously worked at the Nickel. And once I left there, I started hanging out here. And sitting with Art Olson who had the listing. Then it kind of progressed from there until we finally made the deal," Dan said.
And 13 years later, Olson celebrated his 90th birthday at Fuzzy's.
Dan described some of the changes he made, such as installing the large windows in the front of the bar.
"There’s only two people that didn’t like those windows -- Art Olson and Ray Root. And everybody else loved them. Just couldn’t believe the light that was coming in," he said.
Dan also purchased the part of the building that once was Hunan Lion Restaurant. He told me how he secretly worked on that part of the building and then one day taking part of the wall down revealing the game room space that offers pool tables and dart boards.
He called both the windows and game room "awe-inspiring" moments for the customers.
The serving bar was replaced later in just a matter of days. He picked out the wood from a sawmill in Montevideo and discussed the grooves with the craftsman.
"(The old bar) went down one day. It was the only time we had to close, putting in this bar. So they came in at on a Sunday night. Me and my sons started taking the old bar apart and taking it out. One o’clock they came in here and started installing. And by the end of the day, they had everything installed, and we were opening up the next day," he said.
Dan described his next big project but told me it was off the record. That's one phrase journalists don't want to hear. So no big scoop here.
"It's been five years since we did a project. so I don’t want things to get stale, right?" he stated.
And if you are guessing adding food, forget it, according to Dan.
"Not after COVID. Because that was going to be my next my next project. But after seeing all the help wanted signs up everywhere, it’s always about kitchen help. I don’t have that to worry about (it). And it’s just we’re doing their frozen pizzas, and I just felt that’s enough, and stick with what we’re what we know,” he said.
Dan also talked about his relationships with his sons who both worked for him.
"My younger son works during the day, cleans and stocks, and it’s just nice. I wasn’t really close with him. I got divorced, and he lived with his mom. And his personality is quite laid back compared to mine and my other son. It’s just fun to be able to be with him and see. He does a great job here for me. Nick used to bartend here,” he said.
Dan has a goal to hit 15 years as owner of Fuzzy's
"That'll put me at 66. And that's the age my dad died," he said.
"It’s just fun being here. You know, growing up in Marshall. People know me, and so that made it easier to open this place up because then people started coming in here," Dan said.
All the big TVs to watch sporting events helps in drawing in customers. But in the bar business, it appears establishing long-lasting relationships is the straw that stirs the drink at Fuzzy’s.