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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business. When you think of Green River, Utah, two things come to mind: fantastic melons and Ray's Tavern. Established in 1943, Ray's Tavern has seen every boom and bust in Green River. Owner Cathy Gardner bought the tavern 20 years ago, and it's been a thriving burger joint ever since. Cathy was a server for nine years and sold salads and sandwiches in Green River. People loved the food she made enough that she opened up her own restaurant. Two years later, driving past Ray's Tavern, she stopped and discovered the owner was thinking about selling the business. Cathy decided she was ready for a new venture, so she talked him into it. It was tough going at first, and she worked 15-hour days to get her business off the ground. Her dedication paid off. Ray's Tavern is now an icon for Green River and was recently voted 2nd place out of 80 burger joints in the Salt Lake Tribune. One of Cathy's first actions after buying Ray's Tavern was to update the menu. So, she brought in salads, steaks and fries, seafood and more. This serves many types of diners including those looking for healthier options when eating out, a trend seen nationwide. But plenty of people still come here for the cheeseburgers and hand-cut fries. Ray's has a juke box, pool table and television, so it's a fun atmosphere where people want to come and hang out. On the walls, they feature around 170 t-shirts of outdoorsy activities and groups. People from all over leave their t-shirt to be displayed. Ray's Tavern is part of Green River, which is a destination for thousands of travelers, and they're feeding people from all over the world who are contributing to Utah's tourism. Business groups around the state come to Ray's Tavern to hold meetings because of its popularity. Their slogan is here is, "The Place for Everyone," and they mean it. From geologists, teenagers, outdoor enthusiasts, biker groups business folks and more, Ray's Tavern really is a place for everyone. For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business. Ray's Tavern 25 S. Broadway Green River, UT 84225 435-564-3511 www.raystavern.com
