Ian Jordan stands behind the bar he now owns in Winnebago. Gunners Bar opened at the beginning of January after Ian purchased the former Buzz Stop Bar.
When the owners of Winnebago’s Buzz Stop Bar, Amanda Johnson and Gary “Buzz” Osborn, decided they were ready to sell their bar, they didn’t have to look very far to find a new owner.
“I had been interested in owning a bar for quite some time and I let Amanda and Buzz know that if they were ever interested in selling that I would sure be interested in purchasing the bar from them,” Ian Jordan says.
Ian’s dream of owning a bar began to take shape during the summer of 2024 when Amanda and Buzz began talking about getting out of the bar business.
“We talked about it for about five months and I officially took over the ownership of the bar on Jan. 1 of this year,” Ian comments. “And I renamed it Gunners.”
Contrary to what some people think, Gunner is not Ian’s nickname.
“The bar is actually named after the first dog I ever had when I was a child,” Ian tells. “That dog meant a lot to me and I liked the idea of naming the bar after my dog.”
Ian explains that before taking over ownership of the bar he had worked for the Martin County Highway Department.
“But, owning a bar is something I have always wanted to do,” Ian notes. “I have known all of the previous owners of the bars that were located here and my interest in wanting to own and operate a bar goes back many years.”
Ian does almost all of the work himself.
“My weekend, so to speak, is actually Monday and Tuesday when the bar is closed,” Ian says. “I am busy at the bar Wednesday through Sunday.”
It is when Ian is asked why he wanted to become a bar owner that his eyes and smile really light up.
“I enjoy people and what I really want to provide to the customers who stop in at Gunners is a place to come together and enjoy each other’s company,” Ian shares. “It is good for people to sit back, relax and just unwind for awhile. That is the experience I want people to have when they stop here.”
One advantage Ian felt he had by purchasing the Buzz Stop Bar was that it had established itself as a well-run bar that did a good business.
“This was about as close to a turn-key purchase as you could get,” Ian comments. “I really did not have to change that much. Amanda and Buzz had a good business and I want to continue what they were doing.”
One thing he has changed is giving the establishment more of an ‘outdoor’ feeling.
“That is something I am passionate about,” Ian notes. “I like to hunt, fish and do about anything else that involves enjoying the great outdoors.”
In keeping with his love of the outdoors, Gunners now showcases mounted deer heads, a wild boar’s head and other similar items to give it that ‘outdoorsy’ feeling.
Being closed Monday and Tuesdays enables Ian to enjoy his passion and he takes advantage of the time by going fishing or hunting whenever he can and being able to spend time with his wife, Ashley.
“Ashley and I live in rural Winnebago so I am not far from work,” Ian says. “But, I am also close enough to places where I can enjoy some fishing or hunting when I have free time.”
There are a few things Ian has in mind for Gunners now that he has been the owner for almost two months.
“I plan on having a meat raffle and bar trivia once a month,” he shares. “We also want to feature live music – either by a band or a DJ – from time to time.”
And Gunners still offers bar food like the previous owners, so people who stop in can order pizza, bread sticks, pretzels and nachos to fill their hunger needs.
Ian, who is originally from Winnebago, says he is really appreciative of the regular customers who frequent his bar.
“They definitely make up the majority of people who stop in here,” he notes. “But, with our location on Highway 169, we also get quite a few people stopping in who are passing through town. It is a convenient place to stop.”
Whether it’s a regular customer or someone who has been on the road and just stopped in for a break, Ian hopes they all enjoy themselves at Gunners.
“I’ve always enjoyed being able to provide people with a way to have a good time,” Ian concludes. “I enjoy my customers and I want them to know they are appreciated.”
Gunners is located on Main Street in Winnebago. It is open Wednesday and Thursday from 3-10 p.m., Friday from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday from 3-10 p.m.