Riverside retreat set to rise again
Boggan's Oasis on Grande Ronde will be rebuilt following November fire, with work slated to start later this month
Boggan's Oasis, the friendly little diner and hangout for those who recreate on the Grande Ronde River, will rise from the ashes starting later this month.
Located on the Grande Ronde River along State Route 129 between Anatone and Enterprise, Ore., the restaurant was a favorite stopping point for a wide variety of folks, including steelhead anglers, motorcyclists, road trippers, hunters and rafters. In the summer, people stop for milkshakes, ice cream or a cool drink. In the fall, steelheaders stop in to warm up with a cup of coffee or a meal, or to get the latest fishing reports or perhaps pick up the hottest fly.
Owners Bill and Farrel Vail are following through with their plans to rebuild after a fire razed the popular business last November. Bill Vail said construction is slated to begin June 18, and by late August or early September the restaurant should be back in business.
Immediately following the fire, the elderly couple initially was reluctant to resurrect the restaurant known for its milkshakes, hearty breakfasts and all-American diner fare. But fans of the eatery convinced them to give it another go. Vail said customers stressed how important the eatery was to their lives and expressed their desire to see it reborn.
"The only reason we are rebuilding is because of our clients," Vail said. "When you are 82 and 84, it's kind of senseless to start over. But we are doing it and we are happy about it, and now we will see if we can put it together and get it going."
Vail said Lewiston contractor Doug Head will lead construction efforts. The Oasis will continue to occupy a cozy footprint just off of the highway.
"It's not going to look much different than it did before," he said.
The Vails continue to operate a shuttle service for rafters. They also rent nearby cabins. Bill Vail said they may hold a special event or two outdoors during the summer if they can get the necessary permits.
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Barker may be contacted at ebarker@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2273. Follow him on Twitter @ezebarker.
