Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorinda Baum
Hi Lorinda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I came from a little town on the Canadian border in Minnesota. A few months after graduation we ended up in Mountain Home, Idaho where I met my future husband. We married in Tucson, AZ and joined the Army. 16 years later we ended up at FT Hood in Killeen Tx. I started working for Centex Homes in my neighborhood. Graduated to one of the top sales people in our tri-city area. After 9 years, I decided that I wasn’t happy with the corporate world . I had heard there there was a little bar near by in Harker Heights that was for sale. I didn’t end up with that one, but Bo’s Barn Dancehall was for sale! This was June of 2008 and it became mine! Bo’s Barn has been a dancehall since 1981 with Bo Hallmark having started it and I was the 5th owner. Changing the name was not an option since it had been that for 27 years. As a female owner, it was interesting due to this is normally a male orientated business, customers were skeptical on whether I was going to last. I was bartending at the time, which I had no experience but quickly picked it up. The I35 expansion was coming through, which I was aware of. I was informed that I would get my initial investment returned. Such was not the case. As the tenant of the building it was take the $20k they offered or close down, which wasn’t the option. The search was on for another location. Found a vacant building not far from Belton off of HY93 in Temple. It was only a mile and a half from 35. We renovated and moved in January of 2012. At that point I realized I couldn’t bartend, so now I mingle with our customers and DJ. We renovated again in 2015 and took over the restaurant side of the building making it all of ours. Business was picking up so we renovated again for an additional 4k sqft. We almost went out of business when Covid hit. Down to our last few dollars when we could go back to business as usual. We are still here after 17 years this coming June! Still offering LIVE COUNTRY Music!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have mentioned some in the previous question but, COVID was the worst struggle. Going through all the applications for grants and loans to stay afloat for that 9 months. Some of the grants that I applied to, they ran out of money once it got to me. All the employees went on unemployment but they all came back! People think that because they see it’s busy that I must be loaded but they don’t get the overhead especially the bar insurance. Very frustrating.
As you know, we’re big fans of Bo’s Barn Dancehall. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a little Dancehall in Central Texas that was started in 1981 by Bo Hallmark. We offer Live Country Music every Friday and Saturday nights. We have KARAOKE on Thursdays and free Dance Lessons on the last Thursday of the month. We hire cover bands from San Antonio to Ft. worth. Some of the bands have tried the Nashville scene, but still love to play music, theirs and others. People just want to dance, so hiring cover bands work vs a mainstream band. We still have customers that live in the area that are just finding us! We also have a modest kitchen offering a various menu. We offer our customers to ability to make a reservation for a table for a couple or groups.
We strive to keep live music alive one weekend at a time by offering a place to go dance and Bo’s Barn Dancehall is known for that.
There have been many couple connections with our customers finding their significant other! We have even hosted their weddings! Some of those customers have their engagement parties and wedding receptions, which in small ways is magical. We have a very popular New Years Eve Party! We pride ourselves on our staff making it a safe environment for all but especially the older single ladies. Also our bar staff is super fast at what they do, giving customers their order in a timely manner when there are 500 thirsty customers!
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Going out to the woods with my brother on our 40 acres trying to get lost on purpose and failing! Making Superman capes for my brother and watching him jump off the roof in the snow! Fishing with my Grandfather.
Pricing:
- $10 Cover on Friday and Saturday
- $ 3.75 for domestic $ 4.50 imports
- $4 well drinks
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bosbarndancehall.com
- Instagram: bosbarndancehall
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bosbarndancehall
Image Credits
None. Off cell phone.
