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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
If there’s one thing that my business experience has taught me over the years, it’s that finding a niche is one of the hardest things to do. Companies come and go year after year, but those that have a special niche are the businesses that you can expect to see around for a long time. I recently found two such businesses owned and operated by Dennis and Jessica Alvey.
On your way to or from Lake Powell, you might just pass Stan’s Burger Shak and Duke’s Slick Rock Grill in Hanksville where highways 95 and 24 meet. I recently spoke with Jessica and she told me how the businesses were started.
Stan’s Burger Shak was started in 1986 by Dennis’ parents, Stan and Dina (Deena) Alvey. Stan’s Burger Shak became famous for its gourmet hamburgers, thick milk shakes, homemade onion rings and french fries. Several years ago, Jessica and her husband bought the business and have been running it ever since.
In August, after expanding and moving Stan’s Burger Shak to a local gas station, Jessica and Dennis opened Duke’s Slick Rock Grill in the building where the Burger Shak was. Jessica said Duke’s Slick Rock Grill was named after her husband Dennis who’s affectionately known as Duke by all of his friends and family. The grill has a variety of Dutch oven meals and desserts, steaks, chicken and a salad bar. Live-band performances and cowboy poetry readings at the Grill are common and a favorite among the visitors.
As with most tourist-dependant businesses, Jessica said that about 90 percent of their customers are Lake Powell vacationers that come mostly during the summer. In fact, the restaurant’s summer staff drops from 19 to 2 for the winter. During the fall and spring, they typically have people as far away as England, Germany and France come to taste their delicious food.
As a special for the Lake Powell visitors who keep them in business, Jessica said that Duke’s Slick Rock Grill will cater family reunions and large parties right to the lake where people can enjoy the delicious food right from their campsite or boat.
I congratulate Jessica and Dennis for finding that special niche and serving Southern Utah their delicious food.
For Zions Bank, I’m Fred Ball. I’m speaking on business.
