How Doc's Blue Moose Came to Be
C & D's Café was the Spring Grove gathering place on Main Street from the 1940's to the mid 1960's for kids to meet and hang out, listening to the latest songs on the juke box, drink a cherry coke, eat a fritter or burger and basket of French fries and find entertainment on one of two pinball machines. There was a long counter with stools, a row of booths across the way and near the kitchen the men would sometimes sit and drink a beer or cup of coffee while talking with the proprietors Chuck and Duncan Anderson. Here the adults would discuss the sports teams, talk local politics and plan major Spring Grove events like their Homecoming celebration…. Cokes were a nickel, beers 10 cents and a basket of fries also a dime.
Fast forward now to 2006 when Doc's Blue Moose was envisioned by JC Nerstad and Mike and Diane Schmidt….to be today's C&D's of Spring Grove. We wanted it to be a hangout, with a juke box and great food and drink and to be the place where you could relive the town and sports events for the past 100 years though 200 photographs and other fun memorabilia framed and displayed on the walls. And yes there must be a counter with swivel stools, booths across the way and great burgers and sandwiches, and breakfast in the morning and special dinners in the evenings, and the juke box available to play those wonderful songs from our past. But we also wanted to add offerings of today like gourmet coffee, super premium ice cream, wireless internet access, and new and popular food and drink offerings.
The Name Doc's Blue Moose was derived from suggestions of so many friends and family. The kids loved the image of a moose, very Minnesota, and a blue moose seemed to flow and became a fun logo which is on t shirts and other Doc's offerings….and we love to see pictures of people in their Blue Moose shirts around the country and the world. Doc was my father's nickname and he was a great outdoors person, a friend to young and older, and was extremely active until he passed away at 97. We opened the restaurant the year of his 100 birthday, and so it was appropriate that the name then became Doc's Blue Moose and a picture of him in his younger days on a northern lake with a lake trout welcomes you upon entering.
Then along came Cooper the Moose who resides on the wall between the booths and the story of how he came to be is told by a crusty old Canadian guide named Charles Strongwater…who met Doc on a hunting/fishing trip in the 50's. Their story is posted among the pictures and we are sure you will enjoy it. Cooper also loves to dress up for the season and he watches over all who are there and is often consulted should a discussion or question arise that needs an expert opinion. As we say…Just ask Cooper…and you will get your response, that is, if the question or situation warrants one…
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So we hope you enjoy all that is Doc's….and we welcome all suggestions. Come in the summer and enjoy dining on our outdoor deck, enjoy many offerings including the best burger possible, and if you are looking to work on your laptop, grab a seat and a special coffee or adult beverage and work in a wonderful and upbeat environment with the most fun personnel providing for all your beverage and food needs….
