What started as storage building business has grown into a very successful bar and grill with live music,and delicious food with a playground outside for kids.
Business partners of the Campfire Bar and Grill, just east of Copperas Cove on Highway 190, celebrated its first year of business on Sunday with a great crowd and a vendor market.
Manager Seth Posey said he went into business with Dave Selman, an entrepreneur with many interests, to purchase the property and made the bar what it is today.
At first, the piece of property along Highway 190 east of Copperas Cove was used to set up portable buildings for sale. There was already an interesting quonset-like building there with a shade structure next to it which could be rented as an outdoor venue for parties. The owners at the time enjoyed the “open-air” atmosphere. Guests could purchase food from a to-go window and there were games like corn-hole and horseshoes. It had a family-friendly atmosphere.
“At that time, it was called, ‘Camp Caylor,’” Posey said. “And, it had a great business, but I could see so much more.”
So after the purchase of the property, Posey began some remodeling. He added walls in December 2023, and relocated what was once the bar to another place inside the growing structure, which was built around the original quonset hut and houses the kitchen. In May, Posey added air conditioning.
“I knew we were going to need it this year,” Posey said. “Now when customers come in for a meal or a drink, they can do so in comfort.”
Posey says the community response has been wonderful. Thanks in part to the addition of playground equipment for the kids.
“Kids were always welcome, but now we have commercial playsets, which we also sell, for them to use,” he said.
Posey has also stocked a good selection of wine and craft beer.
There are several events scheduled weekly. Another partner, Jacob Green, organizes these unusual evenings.
“Wednesday is Music Bingo and Thursday is Trivia Night,” Green said. “We really have fun with game nights.”
He said there are trivia teams that show up and really make a competition out of it.
Fridays it’s Karaoke Night with Joey Wright. Green said they usually had a good crowd on Fridays and everyone enjoys hearing a bit of “Yacht Rock” as he called it.
“But with a live band on Saturdays, there is all kids of music at Campfire Grill,” Green said.
And, Sunday brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with or without the delicious mimosas.
Every first Sunday of the month, Green has organized a vendor’s market which is set up in the front lot facing the highway. Green has coordinated events like this in Waco and in Georgetown, but likes the response from the community in Copperas Cove. Sunday’s vendor’s market coincided with the business’ one year anniversary.
“We have had anywhere from 24-30 vendors at each event,” Green said. “This is the third month we’ve held a Vendor’s Market and it has been really successful.”
Sellers had everything from live plants to freeze-dried candy to baked goods and jewelry. The next Vendor Market will be August 4.