Scott and Carla Swanson’s Union Bar and Grill in Gering, Nebraska, is receiving a lot more interest than they expected following what occurred in their parking area on a routine Saturday night. The series of events began when Austin Martin met a buddy at the pub and then left his pickup in the parking area overnight.
Janelle, Austin’s wife, drove him to pick up his car the following morning. The two discovered a message on the windshield of Austin’s pickup, which had stayed at the pub overnight since Janelle had picked him up the night before. Janelle went directly to social media after receiving a message to let everyone know what had occurred and how she felt about it.
“More establishments should take notice from Scott and Carla Swanson,” Janelle said on Facebook, referring to the proprietors of Union Bar and Grill. “Austin (my husband) went to the pub with a buddy last night, so he left his pickup there and I picked him up.” When I took him to fetch it this morning, he discovered this letter on his vehicle. She said, “@ The Union Bar,” she said, identifying the bar and providing a photo of the letter.
The letter started, “Dear Union Bar and Grill Park Guest,” and said, “I simply wanted to say thank you for leaving your vehicle parked overnight.” “I’m not sure whether you drank at our restaurant or not,” the letter added, “but we want to appreciate you for not driving while drunk.” The most surprising aspect, however, was still to come.
“Bring this letter to the bar and we’ll offer you a hamburger and fries,” it said. “Please take this as a sign of gratitude for your responsibility.” It was signed by Scott and Carla Swanson, the proprietors of Union Bar and Grill, and ended, “Life is priceless, have a nice day.”
Yes, rather than towing automobiles left in their parking lot overnight, the proprietors of the Union Bar and Grill provide complimentary meals to anybody who stays overnight in their lot because they don’t want anyone to drink and drive. It’s little wonder that the astonishing message has gone viral since such a compassionate gesture might really save some lives.
Indeed, the popular tweet prompted the local reporters to visit Union Bar and Grill to interview Scott and Carla Swanson, who revealed that they came up with the concept of thanking their customers two years ago. Similar messages from bar goers have already been circulated on social media. “I have no clue why it got viral this time since it’s been uploaded a number of previous times,” Scott added.
“Carla and I drove into the parking lot a few years back,” Scott said, recalling the night the letter idea came to him. “We had a really fantastic night the night before, and there were 10 vehicles in the parking lot,” he added. “She came up with the concept,” he said of his wife Carla, adding that he believes she saw something similar somewhere. Since then, the letter has served as a reward for accountability for the two.
Scott also stated that the note with the free burger and fries seems to be something they only do “sparsely” and “sporadically,” so that people do not take advantage of the good gesture just to receive a free meal. However, they are grateful that Janelle Martin’s article and their letter went viral this time. Carla Swanson stated that she hopes the spotlight will lead other establishments to take notice—no pun intended—and contemplate doing something comparable for their guests as well.
Carla and Scott Swanson want to encourage drivers and their Union Bar and Grill patrons that life is precious, and the letter is a statement to that effect. “The fewer people that drive and drink, the safer it is for every community,” Carla said, with Scott simply adding, “My advice to them is don’t drink and drive and seek a ride if you’ve been drinking too much.”