HOUGHTON - The sign on the door reads "temporary shutdown during reorganization." Now, nearly six months after The Mine Shaft and Rock House Hardwood Grille closed its doors, Trifecta Management Group of Agoura Hills, Calif., is taking over and hoping to re-open the 2008-built venue as soon as possible.
"We're planning on opening prior to the end of summer," Michael Auger, managing partner with Trifecta said. "We've been in the process of doing our due diligence over the past week and now we're beginning all the processes of re-opening the facilities, everything from hiring staff to looking at what changes we need to make to open the facilities."
Auger said they're looking at hiring 65-75 employees, with a mix of full- and part-time staff.
Most of the equipment is still in the building, including the bowling lanes and supplies, arcade games and furniture.
"All of the main components remain intact," Auger said. "Our goal is to modify them and make them so they are what the community is looking for."
Auger said a few things will change, including the menu in the restaurant, some of the price points and marketing to promote the venue.
"We may be adding some additional lounge furniture, or some remodeling in the restaurant," Auger added. "The arcade is remaining intact, we will be relooking at the prizes."
The mini-golf and go-karts behind the building will also be open for customers.
"That will all be under the Mine Shaft entertainment concept, and that will also be reopening when we launch the product," Auger said. "That's the goal to open it in the summer so we can open (miniature golf and go-karts) as well."
Auger visited the Copper Country earlier this week - examining the facilities, getting to know the community and working out a lot of the details.
"The first thing we look at whenever we come in is 'what does the market need,'" he said. "One of the first things we identified is that the Houghton/Hancock area definitely needs entertainment, and my understanding is that [The Mine Shaft] did well and was embraced by the community.
"We're excited to go back and reopen something that was so popular in the community and know how much the people in Houghton enjoyed it."
Auger said his group has the experience needed to make this business thrive in the Copper Country.
"We do this across the country with different entertainment venues and restaurants," he said. "We have a tremendous amount of experience."
While most of their experience is in bigger areas such as Orlando, Fla., or Cleveland, Ohio, they also have a similar venture in Wyoming, Minn. Wyoming is a small town about 35 miles north of Minneapolis. Auger said the markets are quite similar.
"We try to embrace every community we go into and understand the nuances of what would work there," Auger said. "A market like Houghton, it's really becoming a part of the community and realizing what they want.
"Everything is to adapt the product to the market."
Auger said it will also help that they will be the only entertainment complex in town.
"It's always great to be the only game in town," he said. "With the bowling, arcade and go-karts, it truly is a unique experience.
"We are excited about coming here."
Michael H. Babcock can be reached at mbabcock@mininggazette.com.
