Captain Roy’s Marking 10 Years In Business

SPONSORED BY:

Captain Roy’s has come a long way in 10 years. What started as a simple food truck has evolved into an essential gathering space for Des Moines’ cycling community. Now, the bar, grill and music venue is eyeing its next big move.

How It Started

The old orange school bus parked in front of Captain Roy’s in Des Moines’ Union Park neighborhood is much more than just an oversized tchotchke.

“We purchased that bus actually in Miami, Fla., and a group of us flew down there, got in the bus and drove it home,” said Captain Roy’s co-owner Wade Thompson. “I think it took us six or seven days, but it was fun.”

That bus gave Captain Roy’s its start back in 2015.

“We actually ran it around town a little bit. We’d go to Confluence or Exile or some of the local breweries just so we could get our feet wet with cooking,” Thompson said.

The goal for Thompson and his business partner Jack Daugherty was to take their operation from that school bus to a permanent brick-and-mortar location. But not just anywhere. They had their eyes on a city-owned building at the Birdland Marina.

“The city was storing lawn mowers in that building and they had a little window where you could buy some Snickers bars and they sold fuel there on the river. So we presented the idea to the city and to parks and rec,” Thompson said.

Long story, short – it worked out. Thompson and Daugherty reached an agreement with the city to transform the space from an afterthought into an attraction.

A long-time cyclist, Thompson said he saw a specific opportunity on the other side of the building’s parking lot: the Neal Smith Trail.

“I knew that the traffic was there for cycling,” he said. “There was no commerce in the neighborhood. There was no place for people to stop and get a refreshment or a hamburger.”

Thompson and Daugherty went to work to improve the building, adding bathrooms, plumbing and upgrading electricity. Before they could let people inside, Thompson said they utilized one of Captain Roy’s best assets – its patio.

SPONSORED BY:

“We were able to sell alcohol, we started with beer and wine. We would just open the door that faces the patio, we’d put a tent up there and we’d have some refrigerators inside and we’d sell beer out of it,” Thompson said. “We had the food truck and we were able to cook hamburgers and French fries, so that’s how we started. And it continued to gain popularity.”

By 2017, the building was ready for guests, many of whom rode in on two wheels. Thompson’s hunch was quickly proven to be correct.

“That bike trail, I’d say it’s probably our main source of income,” he said.

Present Day

While Captain Roy’s is still relatively young, it already seems like it’s always been there.

On a nice day – particularly on a weekend – you can count on the place to be packed with cyclists looking eat, drink and socialize. Captain Roy’s has also established itself as a live music venue and home for special events like Shiver on the River and Adult Recess.

“The vision was to create a community center there and that’s what we’ve done,” Thompson said.

He said his decades-long connection to local cyclists helps the business give bikers what they want.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a bagger or a bike racer or a recreational rider, or if you’ve got an e-bike. It’s just a welcoming spot to ride up to,” he said.

Thompson said the success has spilled over to the nearby marina, which had vacancies before Captain Roy’s opened. Now there’s a long waiting list to get a spot. Activity has also picked up at the public boat ramp next to Captain Roy’s.

“I feel bad for the people that are trying to put their boats in there, and it’s because the parking lot is so full all the time in the summertime,” Thompson said.

Captain Roy’s Of The Future

The growing pains brought on by the success at Captain Roy’s could be a memory within a few years. The business plans to relocate as part of the city’s Birdland Park and Marina Master Plan.

Captain Roy’s will eventually move to a new building that will be constructed about a block away, on the north side of Birdland Drive, alongside the lagoon. The building would also have room for the Des Moines Rowing Club, Des Moines Parks and Recreation offices, a community meeting room, plus a concessions and recreation vendor.

It’s likely several years away from happening, but when it does, this will be a big undertaking for Captain Roy’s.

“It sounds fantastic, but it also sounds like a lot of work. And I look forward to it and I don’t look forward to it,” Thompson joked.

The new Captain Roy’s building is part of phase three of the master plan. The city told DSM Bike Notes it does not have a target date for completion of that phase, which is dependent on funding and city council approval.

The entire master plan is a huge undertaking, with five total phases. Other components include:

• Relocating Birdland Drive north to follow the levee, between Saylor Rd. and Second Ave.

• Extending the west end of the lagoon to connect with the Des Moines River, forming an island

• Adding trails and a beach on the island

• Expanding the current marina to the south once Captain Roy’s has moved

The first phase of the plan is already underway, which includes a new boat launch west of Second Avenue along Birdland Drive. It will result in the closure of the current ramp next to Captain Roy’s, and serve as a reminder that even bigger changes are coming to one of Des Moines’ favorite cycling hang-outs.

“It may be three years, it may be five years. But we’re just excited about improving the neighborhood and making it more of a destination area for the city, for Union Park” Thompson said.

SPONSORED BY:

This is Kinda Sad…

I haven’t ridden my bike yet this season. With a full-time job, spending time with my partner, having a dog to keep alive, cooking, and oh yeah — writing a weekly newsletter, there hasn’t been a lot of time for much else. But that changes this weekend! I am putting this in writing to hold myself accountable! The forecast looks good, I’ve got to get out and do it! I’m thinking a ride up to Van Dee’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Johnston would be a great way to start the season. See you there?