Scott and Carla Swanson’s Union Bar and Restaurant in Gering, Nebraska, is receiving a lot more attention than they expected following what occurred in their parking lot 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 lot 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 the note to let everybody know what had occurred and how she felt about it.
Other establishments should take notice from Scott and Carla Swanson, Janelle said on Facebook, referring to the proprietors of Union Bar and Grill. Austin (her husband) met a buddy at the pub last night, so he left his pickup there, and she picked him up. When she brought him to get it this morning, he discovered this letter on his vehicle. — @ The Union Pub, she said, identifying the bar and providing a photo of the letter.
“Dear Union Bar and Grill Park Guest,” the letter started. “Just wanted to thank you (for) leaving your car parked overnight,” it said. “I’m not sure if you consumed alcohol at our restaurant or not, but we want to thank you for not drinking and driving,” the letter went on to say. The most surprising aspect, however, was yet to come.
“Bring this letter to the bar and we will give you a Hamburger and Frend Fries,” it said. “Please accept this as a thank you for being responsible.” It concluded, “Life is valuable, have a great day,” and was signed by Union Bar and Grill owners Scott and Carla Swanson.
Indeed, 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 do not want anybody 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 post 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 bargoers have already been circulated on social media. Scott added that he has no clue why it went viral this time since it’s been uploaded a number of times before.
Carla and he drove into the parking lot a few years back, Scott said, recalling the night the letter idea came to him. He added that they had a really fantastic night the night before, and there were 10 vehicles in the parking lot. 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 between the two.
Scott also said that the letter with the free burger and fries is something they only do “sparingly” and “sporadically,” so that individuals do not take advantage of the good effort just to receive a free meal. Yet, 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 consider doing something similar for their guests as well.
Carla and Scott Swanson would like to remind drivers and their Union Bar and Grill patrons that life is precious, and the letter is a statement to that effect. The less people that drive and drink, the better for every community, Carla said, with Scott simply adding, his advice to them is don’t drink and drive and seek a ride if one has been drinking too much.
