Making a place to call their own

Brothers Clair and Arlon Fox have purchased what was The Muddy Boot bar in Killdeer and have turned it into Da Fox.

While there are few changes yet in the making, the pair is ready to present the business at its grand opening this weekend.

"For the grand opening, we'll have door prizes and we'll have entertainment and a dart tournament," Arlon said. "It's just for everybody to come and enjoy and have a good time."

The brothers purchased the establishment in July and got right to work on giving the place a face-lift.

"Right away, we started making changes, repainting, cleaning," Arlon said. "We were only shut down for about a week and that was to process the paperwork and get our licensing."

Several family members and friends helped with the revamping.

"Our father, he came in and it took him one day to redo the whole floor," Clair said. "So now when people come in they see this nice wood.

"We've also got to give a big thanks to Paul and Dana Cleveland. They're very good friends and they've been very helpful and supportive."

Help also came from former owner, Deb Mendes.

"She helped us through the transition," Clair said. "She really showed us the ropes."

Clair had his eye on what became The Muddy Boot nearly two years ago when Mendes purchased it.

"I waited around and the opportunity came up again," Clair said. "This time, I decided I'm not going to twiddle my thumbs. I'm going to go get it."

Clair also owns Three Fox Consulting, a computer service business.

Arlon, a first-time business owner is keeping his day job at the Hilltop, for now, but hopes to see the business prosper and grow.

"What's really helped us is that we've been getting a lot of positive feedback in the community," Arlon said. "We're really grateful for the community for the way they've been supporting us."

With the initial overhaul finished, Da Fox ended up with redone floors, a couple redone bathrooms, new paint and a new floor layout, Clair said.

The brothes plan to have dart, pool and poker leagues.

"We also offer free wireless internet," Arlon said. "We had it for our business and we thought we might as well extend it to our customers, so they can bring in their laptops and get on that too."

Also new to the bar are two 26-inch as well as a 50-inch television.

"We want to do Monday night football," Clair said. "We're going to have pay per view UFC fights. We're going to have boxing. Boxing is a real big hit with our family.

"Our family has been spread out, but anytime we've needed our family to help, they come and it brings us together," Clair said. "Since we've been in this bar industry they have given a lot of support."

A top priority for both brothers is to create an atmosphere that is not only upbeat, but also respectful.

"If the locals know that you have a comfortable, respectful atmosphere, people will come back time and time again," Clair said. "I've got to give a big thank-you to the community. Without their support, I don't think we'd be coming this far."

Da Fox is open seven days a week from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m.

"Except for some weekends on Sundays," Clair added. "Every now and then we will be closed for some more renovating."