Tollgate Store and Restaurant

[reed4rmk]

I'd like to put in a plug for the Tollgate store and for Jeff, the guy that operates it. I think he struggling to make ends meet and working his butt off. I think it's very convenient to have a place to get supplies, have something to eat or drink and most importantly get fuel when I need it. In order to have that convenience it's up to us to patronize the place. I also noticed that the Tollgate Trailfinders didn't even advertise their Poker Run in the store, what's up with that? If people would just stop in and get something to eat or drink, buy some pop/beer/snacks/fuel it would help out a lot. Just in case anyone wonders, I have no financial interest in this. Thanks!

 

[bluemtnsnoguide]

Ditto to that right on good plug, would be ashamed not to have anything up there

 

[mummbles-700rmk]

the pizza is good and the beer is cold/ but the gas is spendy

 

[J_Man210]

over 10$ for a 6 pack of 12oz cans is a little over the top as well...

 

[xcrash911]

I am all for supporting local business but sorry after many dealings with Jeff, he has run the business off himself. It used to be a very busy place. While I agree with Blue that it will be a shame not to have something up there, its also a shame to get bent over every time you try and give the guy business.

 

[GOTTAPLAY]

I am all for supporting local business but sorry after many dealings with Jeff, he has run the business off himself. It used to be a very busy place. While I agree with Blue that it will be a shame not to have something up there, its also a shame to get bent over every time you try and give the guy business.

X2!

 

[foxyrmk]

I agree also. It's sad to see something that we need and can appreciate, but when customer service isn't there why be there.

 

[reed4rmk]

Jeff has always been nice to me. Prices are usually higher when you're somewhere more isolated without a lot of competition. I don't think you can blame Jeff as that store has struggled for a decade or more with several different owners. Look at what happened with the Tollgate Chalet. I agree that the gas is high, on the other hand it is so much easier to pay a higher price than to load the sleds up, drag them to town to fill up and then reverse the process coming back. Lugging 5 gallon gas cans is not a good option either. Just saying that having the store there is a good thing.

 

[bluemtnsnoguide]

Have to look at where it is , a long ways from nowhere, is the only decent place to eat, pizza is very good, I have had my problems there but I know it is tough place to do business so I dont think we should dwell on it too much. Not saying everyone should go out of their way to give him business but if you do need something, and you are hungry and is closer to get gas if you are up there anyway then why not. Tamarack may be closing , and then there will be not if the store goes as well.

 

[vertical goader]

tollgate store and restaurant

You can only burn so many people on food and gas. The people that live up there year around and locals that hunt and have cabins up there can only take so much. Its pretty sad that you stop by during elk season on a friday night at 5 and the stores closed. Sorry but jeff probably makes more money by making people buy something just to use the bathroom.

 

[SNOW 365]

I am in agreement with xcrash on this one. Jeff's attitude towards customers and locals alike, are what has killed his buisness. There are lot's of people that won't even set foot in the store because of him. As far as gas ,last year it had a lot of water in the fuel. I would much rather pack a few 5 or 6 gallon cans, than buy super expensive fuel with water in it. When he's gone, someone else will take his place, and hopefully will have a better grasp of how to run a buisness up there.

 

[rembo870]

Last time we tried to stop for pizza he was so rude we just left. I think he's shooting himself in the foot with his attitude........we wont go back!!

 

[Assault22]

Wtf

With the chalet gone and the ski lodge owner not caring to much for snowmobilers period what else are you guys going to do. Its hard times up in the mountains it costs money to get the stuff there so yeah there is going to be a mark up. I understand his mark up might be a little high on some stuff but talk to him become a regular when you are up there and prices will probably come down on some stuff. If he goes and the tamarack what are you going to do. Part of the problem is the TTF does not let him know about events yet they expect him to blow the parking lot around the club house out for free I call BULL $HIT on that. Jeff should get a free member ship into the TTF for blowing out your parking lot and you guys really should fix his sign the orange paint is a little obvious that the groomer hit it. Stop griping about prices of food and fuel when your up there because it could be worse there could be no food or fuel at all. Grow up people try vacationing in Hawaii you think Jeffs prices are high you have not seen high. I go to a couple of different mountain get aways and the prices are always higher because it costs more to get it there. You have to give the guy a chance talk to him give him ideas on what he can do different that would help him alot.

 

[rembo870]

Still Its not that much about the prices, I know it going to cost more on top of the mountian! The customer service is what sucks, i'd rather drive down to elgin to get fuel and supplies from people that appreciate the business, than from someone that is going to be a jerk. and why do we owe him anything? learn how to run a business with good customer service and life would be a little bit better for him.

 

[GOTTAPLAY]

Reminds me of what my grandma always used to say......You can catch more flies with honey than vinager, I guess I could deal with the prices and limited menu I can't get past the attitude Jeff gives you.

 

[mummbles-700rmk]

well u all do know that jeff is from californa right./ i would rather not syopr get gas there but sometimes it is needed. when im staying at friends cabins up on tollgate. everyone for years no matter who was running compalined about the prices. then jeff came along and bumbed them up even more it sucks that if i want a jucie from the store with my food he charges u more for it. so any more i just drink the high priced beer lol

 

[fuddy-duddy]

the store is open. that's a GOOD thing. but the attitude, the service, the food, the menu... that's a BAD thing. there's way more bad things than good things. the guy is just running people off with his attitude. he often has the store open when it needs to be open so you can buy gas. but the more support you give him.. the longer he'll be up there. and blowing snow for the snowmobile club up there? he blows the snow for them so he can blow all his snow over there too. he has never given the snowmobilers or the snowmobile club any support. big joke !!

 

[04modcat]

04modcat

WE have had a cabin at spout since 1967 Ive seen store owners come and go. but the negative vibes Im getting off this thread is pretty bad if you have a problem with the service why dont you talk to jeff .instead everyone is voicing opnion off a keyboard .I say maybe he will take a lok at all this chatter and make some changes as a buisness owner I can relate its hard times .lots of stess and depression its tuff give him a chance to change

 

[2walla]

Sucks!

I have been going to Tollgate for years and it is really in a sorry state from the profiteering real estate agents artifically driving up the prices and the idiots coming up here willing to buy property at 4x its real value. It's got to be hard to make the payments on the place with the economy sucking wind. When he figures out that it is only 30 min to town in either direction and that he needs to have some customer service and quality, people will pay a premium for the convience of having him there...

 

[Liv4snow]

Negative talk

Distrubed about the negative talk! My husband and I own a cabin in Tollgate and have seen the struggles that the store has had over the years to keep its doors open, we are just thankful a store is there. There is a guy from Walla Walla that keeps stirring up bad feed back for Jeff. Shame on you, its simple....don't go in there! Thank you Jeff for looking over our cabins, Thank you Jeff for helping with gas late at night, Thank you Jeff for late night pizza when I don't have anything in my cabin, Thank you Jeff for helping look for my friends lost boy, Thank you Jeff for helping my in-laws get into there cabin, Thank you Jeff for all the extras you do! Sincerely Liv4snow wife