×

Owners usher in some changes at Cat-man-do’s

Jordan Beck | Daily Press Curt Spaulding, left, and his wife, Kelly Spaulding, are pictured standing next to a table tap system in Cat-Man-Do’s, the local bar and eatery they co-own. The Spauldings bought the bar almost three years ago.

ESCANABA — Married couple Curt and Kelly Spaulding, co-owners of local bar and eatery Cat-man-do’s, have made several changes to this business since they bought it almost three years ago.

The Spauldings’ journey towards owning Cat-man-do’s started when they visited the area in the fall of 2014.

“We were up here, actually, for Curt’s daughter’s wedding,” Kelly said. At the time, they were living in the metro Detroit area.

After the wedding, they visited Cat-man-do’s to celebrate. While they were there, Curt’s brother mentioned that the bar was up for sale.

Kelly said this interaction got her thinking about the possibility of buying Cat-man-do’s.

“My wheels just started turning,” she said.

Later, Kelly asked Curt if he would consider moving to Escanaba and buying Cat-man-do’s. Curt, who had been working for the Michigan Department of Corrections but had been injured while on the job, said the timing of this was ideal.

“This business opportunity came along at the appropriate time, and we pursued it,” he said. The couple took over the bar less than a year later.

During their first year as the owners of Cat-man-do’s, the Spauldings focused on making relatively minor changes to the business, such as introducing new glassware, a point-of-sale system, and Keno. Later, they made larger improvements — most notably, a table tap system allowing customers to pour beer at their tables.

Kelly said different types of people have made use of this feature.

“All different walks of life enjoy this system,” she said. The table tap system, which was the first in the Upper Peninsula, was added to Cat-man-do’s in the spring of 2017.

Curt said the table tap system has made things easier for both his patrons and his employees.

“It’s a pretty good tool for everybody,” he said. He also noted this addition was not meant to take away from table service, but to support it.

The Spauldings have focused on a theme of “go big or go home” when bringing new mixed drinks to Cat-man-do’s. Recently-introduced drinks at the bar have included 51-ounce and 64-ounce “fishbowls,” 22-ounce margaritas, 22.5-ounce mojitos, and the 192-ounce “Mega Mule Mug.”

“It’s a giant Moscow Mule that serves three to six people,” Kelly said of the latter drink.

In the fall of 2015, the kitchen at Cat-man-do’s opened. Some of the menu items featured at Cat-man-do’s are gourmet burgers, wings, and specialty sandwiches.

“Our menu’s very unique,” Kelly said. Curt added that the meat used in their burgers comes from Viau’s Market.

Along with these changes, Curt said he and Kelly have made a point of supporting local non-profit charity organizations.

“That’s important to us, to give back to our community,” he said. The bar holds five fundraisers each year, including four Classic Car and Bike Nights supporting various local groups and an event held to support the Bays de Noc Gobblers’ Wheelin’ Sportsmen program.

The Spauldings hope to add to their existing space at Cat-man-do’s soon.

“We’d like to expand, hopefully in the near future,” Curt said. He noted that their goals for this expansion are to add a designated dance floor and stage, as well as a more family-friendly seating area.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today