ARNOLD, Neb.— The Arnold Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) held three ribbon cuttings on Friday afternoon, celebrating new businesses and ownership changes with applause wishing future success.
The Highlander makes former Jake’s building home
Danielle Lamb, owner of The Highlander, said she is excited for the future ahead after opening the bar and restaurant this past February in the former Jake’s Horses and Harleys building. She said that this kind of work has been what she knows.
“I grew up in an Italian restaurant that my mom managed and my aunt still manages,” said Lamb. “So I was always around that and then did odds and ends in high school. Then in college I managed a subway. I’ve always kind of bartended and waited tables and done different things through the course of my life.”
The Highlander has regular hours of Monday and Tuesday from 6 AM to 3 PM, Thursday and Friday from 6 AM to 9 PM, Saturday 11 AM to 9 PM, and Sunday Noon to 6 PM.
Lamb said that specials rotate every week, and that chicken strips and Mexican are a couple of favorites already alongside pizza featuring fresh dough made weekly.
“We try to make everything as homemade as I possibly can. Even the ranch dressing starts as a spice, it’s not a packet. It’s all very much homemade,” said Lamb.
Grazer’s Bar and Grill to continue history under new ownership
Grazer’s Bar and Grill will continue to be an option for residents of the area after Joyce Bass purchased the business from Jess Halstead and Annie Vettel recently.
Bass said there have been a few changes made to the food menu, but for the most part the menu features the favorites those who stopped before enjoyed as she was able to keep most of the kitchen staff on board.
“I used to come up here a lot,” said Bass, who is originally from Brewster. “I thought it was a super nice place, and I’ve always wanted to own a bar.”
Grazer’s is open from 11 AM to 11 PM Tuesday through Thursday, 11 AM to 1 AM Friday and Saturday, and from 11 AM to 4 PM on Sundays. Daily lunch specials are posted to their Facebook page, and information can be found on their website, GrazersBarandGrill.com, as well.
Punchy Poppy continues The Exhange offering, is adding new shopping opportunity to Arnold
Justin and Chrissie Stockall are owners of Punchy Poppy, which calls the former Arnold Exchange building home. While the front portion of the building will serve a similar purpose as before, it will continue to have more product packed into it for grab-and-go drinks and snacks.
“Yes, we are a grab and go place, but we have some of the best hamburgers you can buy, some of the highest quality pizzas,” said Justin and Chrissie. “And we’ll be adding some sandwiches and salads. Just more options for people as they travel through.”
As for the back portion of the building, a transformation is underway so that items like tack, jewelry, and clothing have a retail home for customers.
“I buy silver and turquoise jewelry, mostly it’s out of New Mexico and is mostly native made,” said Chrissie. “We’ve got the high quality silk scarves and then I’m also starting to bring in some clothing lines. It’s going to be more of your everyday type clothing, where if you rip your jeans you can come in and get a good quality pair of jeans that will last you a while.”
Chrissie said she has had the Punchy Poppy mobile trailer since 2022, but that she and her husband are excited to have a brick and mortar location to call home for the business. Justin indicated that adding feed to the offering is a future goal, as he has been in the feed business for almost 30 years between Montana, South Dakota, Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska.
Punchy Poppy is open Monday through Saturday 6 AM to 8 PM and Sundays from 9 AM to 7 PM. The kitchen is open Monday through Saturday 6 AM to 7 PM and Sunday from 9 AM to 5:30 PM. Customers can keep up with them on Facebook or online at PunchyPoppy.com.
