55 Years Ago
The January 29, 1971 Golden Transcript reported that the liquor license had been suspended for the Big M Lounge. The type of liquor license held by the lounge required that food be available. The state's liquor control division had contacted Golden Police Chief Everett Hall.
He said that he and a representative of the control division went to the lounge and found that no food was being served. The lady in charge said that she didn’t have time. The kitchen was locked, according to Hall, and the two asked her to open it. Hall reported that the kitchen was "filthy” and not in use at all.
Golden Transcript - January 29, 1971
Despite the "filthy" kitchen, the Big M was still allowed to serve food during the 15-day liquor license suspension.
The February 5, 1971 Transcript reported that the suspension had been lifted (early). The Big M's manager, Marion Meiter, appeared at the February 4th meeting, explaining the circumstances of the suspension and assuring them that the place had been cleaned up. The county health department had inspected the premises and approved it for serving food.
Darrell Skelton, Mrs. Meiter’s attorney, explained to the council that upon the death of her husband George, the business was turned over to his wife. Skelton explained that Mrs. Meiter has never run a bar. “She is actually a housewife,” he said. Mrs. Meiter has had no previous experience in business and is naturally having a difficult time, he said.
Golden Transcript - February 5, 1971
Mrs. Meiter sold the business in 1972, but it continued to have a colorful existence on Washington Avenue. In 1980, Council voted unanimously to suspend the restaurant's liquor license. One Councilor had hesitated because it would leave yet another empty storefront in downtown Golden. Bill Holland of the Holland House (predecessor to the Table Mountain Inn) had appeared before Council asking that the license be revoked, rather than suspended. He expressed dismay at the concern about an empty storefront. "I'd much rather see the place blown to Guinea."
Steve Steinhoff, owner of Steve's Corner, a clothing store, addressed the council and told what he thought it was like to do business next door to the M-Lounge. He said that for the past several years, he has had to deal with people urinating and vomiting outside his store. He said he has had to clean up broken bottles and broken store windows.
Golden Transcript - May 13, 1980
"I have observed child abuse and drug abuse" outside the bar, he told the council. He also said that his female employees were harassed by bar patrons and were afraid to walk unescorted to their cars after work.
The bar's next incarnation was as the Golden Eagle Saloon, which operated from 1981-1993. At that time, Bart Bortles re-opened the spot as Woody's Wood-Fired Pizza (which has been a raging success for 33 years).
