News: Loyal (Business of the Year – 2017)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Seliskar

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) – 12 Apr 2017


Shecky’s Snack Shack was named business of the year. The award was given on April 6 at the Loyal American Legion.

Shecky’s Snack Shack owners Randy and Laurie Seliskar did have a chance to prepare to receive the business of the year award. The recipient this year was selected by a new nominating process in which ballots were sent to each Chamber member business.

The Seliskars bought “the root beer stand” -- as everyone in Loyal knows it, Randy said, -- in 2013. Their first day of business was Laurie’s birthday in May 2014, and Randy said they knew then that they would have strong community support.

“Wow, were we overwhelmed that first week. We ran out of product,” Randy said. The venture was new for Randy, who had 30 years in the auto body industry, and Laurie, who had been doing accounting work. They visited other similar businesses in surrounding towns to learn the ropes.

Laurie was not enthused about the opportunity at first, her husband said. Randy heard in 2013 that the business was for sale,

“When I first saw a for sale sign on the root beer stand, I thought it was an opportunity, an adventure, and something me and Laurie could do together,” he said.

He spoke with the realtor on his own, and took his wife to see something in town.

“I pulled up to the root beer stand and she said, ‘What are we doing here?’” Randy said.

Laurie warmed up to the idea, and the couple is now preparing to begin its fourth summer season in business. As usual, they’ll have a few new items on the menu in May.

Randy said Loyal has supplied Shecky’s Snack Shack with many hard-working employees who have helped them be successful.

“They work very hard. With their smiling faces and their good attitudes, we couldn’t have done it without you guys,” he said.

Randy also mentioned that this summer will be challenging with the major Main Street construction project.

“If we support each other as small businesses, we’ll make it through this construction season,” he said.