Every visitor to our area is familiar with the iconic Black Bear Tavern, one of the most popular restaurants and night spots at the lake. Owned by Barry and Laura Clapsaddle and managed by their son Nick, Black Bear has staked its reputation on delicious food and a variety of year round entertainment. The restaurant, however, is not the family’s only business venture. Below the restaurant sit their other two businesses, Black Bear Wine and Words and Lake Salon.
While seemingly disparate businesses, the three work together to provide a seamless experience to all their guests, and the Clapsaddles are always looking for ways to enhance each customer’s experience, whether they be locals or visitors.
Lake Salon
Lake Salon, operated by Laura, is dedicated to providing you with the utmost attention, courtesy and high level of service. They offer a variety of services including hair cuts and styles, manicures, pedicures, waxing, tanning and even facials. They feature a high-end line of products including Schwartzkopf hair color, Olaplex, Matrix hair products and CND for nail care.
In addition to traditional tanning beds, Lake Salon offers Infinity Sun Spray tanning as well as Airbrush Makeup and Brazilian Blowouts. Because there are many salons in the area, Laura and her staff have focused more on becoming a specialty salon, so while it is a traditional salon during the week, Lake Salon turns into wedding central on the weekends.
“We do a lot of weddings and special events,” says Laura. “We take the time to find out what our clients are looking for and we do our very best to accommodate them. We want your time here to be unhurried and relaxing. Our pedicures take a little longer, are a little nicer. We want every visit to Lake Salon to be an experience,” she adds.
“The wedding industry has really grown here in Garrett County,” says Laura. “It’s a super important day and we do everything we can to make sure each bride’s experience with us is organized and comfortable.” To that end, Laura has assembled some of the finest professionals from the region to help each bride and those in her wedding party feel pampered and beautiful for the big day.
Laura can work with any size bridal party (with enough notice) and can custom create a package to include everything from a spray tan to beautiful hair and make-up, nails and more. In addition to being a certified spray tan technician and an airbrush makeup artist, Laura also works as the coordinator of your experience, from the initial consultation to the idea files and into the trial run up to the big day. You and your group take over the entire salon and are welcome to bring in snacks or even purchase a bottle of wine and cheese tray from their wine shop next door to enjoy.
For more information, give Laura a call at 301-387-9400 , visit their website at www.lakesalon.com for a complete list of services, or go to LakeSalon on Facebook for the latest news.
Black Bear Tavern & Restaurant
For the past 20 years, The Black Bear has built its reputation as being one of the Lake’s best Sports Bar and Restaurant, as well as the area’s premier nightspot for live music and entertainment. Fall means football so be sure to catch all your favorite games in the Tavern on their large screen TV’s before heading over to the Nightclub to see their great musical acts.
Of course, the food at Black Bear is pretty delicious too. They are known for their yummy burgers and crab cakes but you’ll also find a variety of appetizers, soups, salads and more…everything for a light lunch or full size meal and everything in between. The Black Bear also offers great daily lunch, dinner and drink specials including their Bear Cub Grub menu for kids.
You can also enjoy a game of darts, foosball, pool and various bar games while enjoying a cold libation or waiting for dinner. In the warmer months, they offer live music on the Black Bear Tiki Bar Stage, featuring their favorite acoustic bands. Bring the kids and the family dog, and enjoy your food and drinks al fresco. To keep the fun going year-round, they move the party into the Tavern on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 to 10 PM.
Late night music lovers will enjoy the Black Bear Nightclub, a great place to catch your fill of live music in an inviting atmosphere. They pack the house with all your favorite local and national acts as well as some specialty events like Ladies Night or an evening with the Mechanical Bull. You can check out their complete line up online at www.blackbeartavern.com, or go to BlackBearDCL on Facebook for the latest news.
Black Bear Wine and Words
The newest venture by the Clapsaddles is this delightful little shop located below the tavern which combines Barry’s two great loves…books and wine. Black Bear Wine and Words offers a relaxing, social setting where you can indulge in daily wine tastings and gourmet cheese plates as well as find a good book to relax with there or at home.
They sell wines by the bottle and case to take away or you can purchase a bottle or glass to drink in their cozy living room like atmosphere. This small boutique wine shop features sparkling wines from Italy, Spain and Argentina; French Roses; Italian Pinot Grigios, California Sauvignon Blancs, Chardonnays, and MUCH more, all taste tested by their staff and selected for their quality and value; their wines are priced from a mere $10 to $25.
Not sure which wine to choose? Every day they offer free, select tastings of both reds and whites; with full tastings available with gourmet cheese plate at a nominal price. They cater to both large and small groups and can also accommodate special occasions such as birthdays, book club meetings, bachelorette parties, or just everyday get-togethers.
They have quality, gently used books for sale at incredibly low prices – paperbacks sell for $1; hard back books for just $3. Have a bunch of books you would like to donate? Ask them about their exchange program.
Black Bear Wine & Words is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 7 PM and Sunday from 1 – 6 PM. So stop by and have a splash or two, and immerse yourself in a good book. You can take a closer look at www.blackbearwineandwords.com, or go to BlackBearWineAndWords on Facebook for the latest news.