Stress Free Moose keeps locals happy and visitors coming back

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    GREENVILLE — The weekend after the International Seaplane Fly-In is traditionally slow in Greenville as summer winds down and fall foliage season has yet to reach its peak.
    But the Stress Free Moose is still hopping. The parking lot is nearly full, the horseshoe-shaped bar has only one or two open seats, every table is filled and a group of nine is looking for a place where they can all sit together.

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    INSIDE AND OUTSIDE — You can enjoy indoor dining at the Stress Free Moose anytime and outdoor seating during nice weather.

    Owner Stacey Duncan knows that it will be awhile before enough space opens up, but her first priority is to take care of the visitors’ needs. So she calls Flatlander’s Restaurant down the street to see if they have any room — and they do.
    Chances are, the visitors will remember Duncan’s gesture and stop at the Stress Free Moose on their next trip to Greenville.
    Duncan bought the restaurant and pub in November 2013 from Rick and Chandra Czopek after working for them for 10 years. “I envisioned buying it five or six years ago,” said Duncan, who is raising a teenage daughter, niece and nephew. “It was a big decision — something you don’t take lightly. But I waited for the right time, and I’m glad I did.”
  Duncan said that the atmosphere they created was perfect for her. “We wanted a casual bar with a little funky atmosphere and good food,” she recalled. “But mostly, we wanted a place where locals and tourists could both feel at home.”
    Plans are now in the works to build a larger kitchen in the back of the restaurant so they can expand their menu and add more seating capacity. “We can seat 65 indoors right now, so this will add about another 15,” Duncan said. The outdoor grill has proved to be a popular addition, and chances are it will stay open until snow flies.
    The Stress Free Moose has made some gradual changes to the menu like adding more “comfort food” for the casual diner. “To me, a perfect day in the fall or winter is a parking lot filled with pick-up trucks and working folks coming in for a lunch under $10,” Duncan said.
    While the location, beverage selection and food are all major drawing cards, the owner emphasizes that the staff is the real key to success.
    Grace Bedwell has moved into the head bartender’s role, freeing up Duncan from a lot of supervisory duties. “She’s done a wonderful job,” Duncan said. “We stress teamwork. Everyone knows their job and they get along great.”
    Hilaire Kronholm has taken over the kitchen and continues to put out some pretty fantastic eats.
    Other staff members are Duncan’s daughter, Tiffany; Kris Murray, James Lusardi, Herbie Hyland, Holly Collins, Steven Reed, Steve Marsh, Vanessa Rolfe, Trea Richards, Tim Post, Ted Sokoloski, Jamie Craft, Morgan Whitten and Paige Murray.
    The Stress Free Moose also believes in giving back to the community by hosting fund-raising events for organizations like the Greenville Fire Department, Squaw Mountain and the James Foley Legacy Fund (see separate story).
    The Stress Free Moose is located on Pritham Avenue, and they open at 11 a.m. seven days a week.
    For more information and updates, find them on Facebook or call 695-3100.