PRAIRIE CITY – Moving to a small town and running a business is a dream come true for Phil and Carol Bopp, the new owners of the Oxbow Restaurant and Saloon.

It’s also a return to familiar territory for the couple; he hails from Ontario, and she from Payette, Idaho.

But the hometown connection is even closer than that.

The couple had been living in Eugene for eight years, coming to this area “countless times” for elk hunting.

Last fall, while in Grant County celebrating his brother’s elk kill, Phil learned that the Oxbow was for sale. He called Carol to tell her about it and to ask if she knew where Prairie City was.

Turns out, she did.

In fact, her family has Prairie City ties; her great-grandfather, Virgil Belknap, was among the first doctors in the area in the late 1800s. His wife Clara, was from the pioneering McHaley family.

“It was ironic, to say the least,” Phil said, adding, “and a good omen.”

So they quit their jobs, refinanced their Eugene house and took the plunge into running their own business. They bought the Oxbow on May 13, and put up a new sign about a month later.

“The first 90 days have been both exciting and exhausting,” Phil said. “We’ve had to learn the customers and the ‘lay of the land.'”

They said they’re having a lot of fun, and have been well-received by the community and fellow Prairie City businesses.

Both have solid experience in food service. Phil, who has a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and food management from Oregon State, was director of food services for the Eugene Emeralds minor league baseball team. Carol was also the owner of Mr. Dog’s hotdogs in Ontario for 3-1/2 years.

Phil said his wife was known throughout that area as “the hot dog lady.”

The Oxbow is open for the lunch and dinner crowd. Some of the signature dishes include fish tacos and turkey-bacon-avocado sandwiches on the lunch menu. For dinner, rosemary shrimp and the 12-ounce ribeye steak, or a “hybrid” meal that includes both, are among the specialties, Phil said.

The Oxbow also has Oregon State Lottery games and the full bar features draft beer. 

The wildlife mounts that long adorned the Oxbow’s walls weren’t part of the sale. However, Prairie City resident Tobe Zweygardt came to the rescue, loaning some from his collection, and now there are several replacements in place, including a buffalo and an antelope. 

Phil said he encourages area hunters of all ages to bring in their mounts and/or photos, even on a temporary basis, to add to the display. 

“I’d like to showcase local hunters and turn this into a bit of a game museum,” he said. 

A “huge sports fan,” Phil plans to bring in some big-screen TVs and promote whatever sporting events people would like. In the works, too, are specialty nights, featuring sushi, crab or Mexican food, items not on the regular menu.

The couple also plan to start holding occasional “event nights.” First up is the “First Annual Big Lebowski Party,” based on the movie by the same name, set for 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11. 

There will be trivia and costume contests, as well as prizes, all revolving around the comedy flick.

The cost is $2 in advance or $5 at the door. The party is for those 21 and older, with no one admitted after 9:30 p.m.

“We’re gonna make the most of this,” Phil said.

The new restaurant owners also have taken another kind of plunge: marriage. After 10 years together, Phil and Carol were married in a private family ceremony, Aug. 2, right there in the Oxbow, with Grant County Justice of the Peace Terry Farrell officiating. 

The Oxbow Restaurant and Saloon, located at 128 Front St., is open every day. Hours are noon-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and noon-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.