Gazette photo by Steve Morris The River Oasis Caf/ has numerous customers who eat there twice, sometimes three times a day. New owner Craig Beemer, refers to the group of men pictured above as "The Board of Directors." He has spent the last month getting to know them. Pictured, from left, are Pat Voelker, Jerry Ryan, Steve Knudston, George Johnston, Ernie Keed, Gordy Mueller; back row: Beemer and Ken Seefert.

If there is a Stillwater sub-culture where change is frowned upon, look no further than the loyal patrons of the River Oasis Caf/.

Just one look at the restaurant and you feel as if you're traveling back in time, to a place that sidestepped the shift in the food industry and American restaurant culture.

After nearly two decades under the same ownership, Gary and Joy Carlson sold the River Oasis Caf/ to Craig and Deb Beemer of Hudson, Wis., late last month. On May 23, the Beemer's officially became the restaurants fourth owners since it opened in 1957.

"I see myself as a custodian, taking care of the place for the time I am here," Beemer said. "I'll never get rich here, but I'll enjoy working here and I will be able to support my family."

The Beemers are leasing the building from Elaine Aiple, and signed a five-year agreement, with an option to renew at the term of their lease. Beemer did not want to disclise the amount he paid for the business.

Former owner Gary Carlson declined to be interviewed for this story.

For the most part, the cafe will remain the same, Beemer said Monday afternoon. In his view, he has too much respect for what he called "The River Oasis Institution."

Numerous customers have been eating breakfast at the diner for years - nearly 80 percent of the restaurant's business is during the morning hours - so it is with some hesitation that customers are forced to accept its biggest change in 19 years.

"They are weary we are going to change something they love," Beemer said. "I don't see any big changes. We have 15-20 customers that come here twice a day."

To help make the transition go smoothly, Gary and Joy Carlson are training the Beemers on their new business venture.

"My job is to keep the integrity of the place," Craig Beemer said. "It's like family here."

Ernie Keed - a member of the "Board of Directors," a group that often eats at the cafe - said he has been dining at the River Oasis Caf/ since it opened. So far, he approves of Beemer's hands-on approach to operating the restaurant.

"He seems to have talked to me, in the short time he's been here, more than the other guy did in 19 years," Keed said. "I think he is going to do all right here. He has a lot of ideas, but you can't do it overnight."

The hours are remaining the same, but fixing the parking lot is among Beemer's top priorities. Also, "As I can afford it, there will be a jukebox," he said.

Beemer is hoping to have a new menu rolling off the presses in about month with items such as omelets, homemade corn beef hash and biscuits and gravy.

"I know how to run a business because I have run one before," said Beemer. "I have literally been in restaurants all over the world."

The Journey to River Oasis

Having grown up in Woodbury and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a degree in finance, Beemer brings no restaurant experience to the table. However, the entrepreneur has experienced success in other business adventures.

From 1996 through 2003, he owned a promotional products company. In 2003, he rolled the company into an import business with his partner in Ohio. The two separated in May of last year, leaving Beemer between jobs and at a crossroads.

At 50, he was looking to do something different. The inspiration to purchase a restaurant came from his many trips to the Not Justa Caf/ in Bayport.

On Friday's, after attending church, he would have breakfast at the caf/ where he soon became friends with Sue, a waitress there.

In an accident outside of work, Sue fell and broke some ribs and wasn't able work. Beemer went to owners, Steve and Barb Meyer, with an off-the-wall suggestion: he would work in Sue's place and the money he earned would to go directly toward her medical bills.

The owners accepted his offer and Beemer was put to work washing dishes and doing prep work, among other tasks. He spent a few months working at the restaurant, without pay, developing a love for the hometown restaurant feeling.

An Internet search for restaurants up for sale led him to the River Oasis Caf/.

Grilled PB&J?

It was late, nearly 8 p.m., when a family of nine strolled through the doors of the River Oasis last week on the prowl for a late dinner.

Two boys, Jessie and Austin, were wound up, full of energy, eventually spilling a drink on the floor, which caught Beemer's attention. This is an opportunity, Beemer thought to himself.

Soon, Beemer had the boys helping him make a grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a grilled peanut butter and honey sandwich.

"The boys were so excited," Beemer said.

Beemer continued his work, but told the boys to think of a name for the new sandwiches.

The came back with the Messy Jesse's Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich and the Awesome Austin's Grilled Peanut Butter and Honey grilled Sandwich.

The sandwiches, with the names they created, will be on the kids' menu when it comes out.

"Every time their grandpa comes in, he thanks me," Beemer said.

As the dust settles, Beemer said is just excited to be part of the River Oasis family.

"My family has invested a lot here and we are going to do the best work we can to make it a go," he said.