![Pam Crank, the owner of the Silver Dollar, is looking forward to celebrating the bar's 7th anniversary with the Hutchinson community. [PHOTO: Judd Weil] ](https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679320857596.jpeg)
By JUDD WEIL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Silver Dollar bar, a generational Hutchinson establishment, will be celebrating 75 years of business on April 1.
Starting that Saturday morning at the Silver Dollar people can expect drinks, food, prizes, and more.
“Budweiser is going to give us some prizes, Coors is going to give us some prizes,” Pam Crank, Silver Doller owner, said. “I bought three really great prizes to give away.”
In commemoration of the Silver Dollar’s 75th anniversary, the 75th person to order on April 1, will receive a few special items.
Limited edition 75th anniversary t-shirts will be available while they last, and subject to what is left by April 1. Only 100 of these special shirts will be available.
Few smal ltown businesses in the present day, are able to say they have been around for 75 years, let alone celebrate it. The Silver Dollar has been in Hutchinson since 1948.
“This location was a fruit stand back in the 40s,” Crank said. “It was opened by a guy named Carl in 1948 as the Silver Dollar.”
Crank bought the bar in 2007, and according to her, has been the only person to own both the land and business.
Despite the numerous changes in ownership the Silver Dollar has had, it has retained a customer base on a generational level.
“Everybody either knows somebody who comes in here or used to come in here,” Crank said.
Crank attributes the longevity and success of the Silver Dollar to its atmosphere.
“We really strive on no drama,” Crank said. “If people want to fight and be rowdy, then they don’t have a place here.”
“We don’t know a stranger, people come in, they don’t feel isolated, and everybody looks out for each other.”
The drink options reflect the Silver Dollar’s business prerogative.
“We don’t sell liquor,” Crank said. “We only have beer and wine coolers.”
The Silver Dollar is known for its endless popcorn, many pool leagues, and the literal writing on the ceiling.
The owners that twice-preceded Crank once “sold” the ceiling tiles, or rather sold the ability to write on them, to pay for a popcorn machine.
“It’s a good place to hang out,” Crank said.
The anniversary festivities will continue with live music in the evening, featuring Dylan Graves performing classic rock and country from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“I’m very proud of this bar, I’m very proud of the staff, it’s great,” Crank said. “We’re just a good, old-fashioned mom and pop bar.”
The Silver Dollar is located at 1000 Nickerson Blvd. in Hutchinson, Kansas and can be reached at (620) 259-6777. Visit their website at silverdollarhutchinsonks.com and their Facebook page.
The Silver Dollar ‘s regular hours are Monday through Saturday from 2 p.m. to midnight. They have been open on Sundays for a while from noon to 6 p.m., but those days will be winding down as the weather gets better.
They can open on Sundays by special request.
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