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<br /> <br />Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />It wasn't the Ritz Carlton, but it wasn't a dive <br />either. It was just a great place to get a good <br />meal. Freddie Roth's Tavern was once located <br />at the current site of Vera Auto Sales on <br />County Road E. Perhaps, slightly dilapidated, <br />but much cherished would better describe the <br />establishment that was once a popular <br />Hoffman's Corner "hang-out." <br /> <br />"There were known for their food, which was <br />really good, " says Dick Arcand, who once ran <br />nearby Hoffman's Market with his wife Shirley. <br />"Sometimes we would grab something to eat <br />there on our way home. On Friday nights they <br />served lobster and they had great spaghetti." <br /> <br />Although the colorful tavern attracted a loyal <br />following from the legal community in St. Paul, <br />for a reason no one can rem ember, the place <br />may have had its own legal issues. According <br />to local legend, the place never actually had a <br />liquor license. Oops. Freddie seems to have <br />dispensed drinks from a bottle that often <br />resided in his jacket pocket. Rumor also has it <br />that it was also a popular spot for the Ramsey <br />County Commissioners to hang out way back <br />in the 30's and '40's.. No one can remember <br />why that was either...It was a fun and friendly <br />spot and everyone seemed to feel safe there, <br />according to the locals. <br /> <br />Lorraine Birkeland, who owns White Bear <br />Floral, also remembers the steak and fries at <br />Freddie Roth's Tavern. "They were famous for <br />those dinners. Everyone seemed to like them. <br />We used to eat there once in a while." <br /> <br />The place was a popular after work hang-out <br />for brothers Charley and Augie Scheuneman, <br />who ran Scheuneman's Market, which was <br />also on County Road E, located at the site of <br />the present day Gun Shop. <br /> <br />The interior of Freddie's Tavern included a <br />dance floor and an area that accommodated <br />live music. It was a popular spot for <br />anniversary parties, wedding receptions and <br />other events. Freddie had a small staff, usually <br />just a cook and maybe a server or two. He <br />often donned an apron and did the serving <br />himself. He lived in the back, right off the <br />kitchen area, according to Richard Arcand, <br />Dick Arcand's son. <br />Freddie Roth's Tavern: Quite a Spot <br /> <br />Freddie's failure to obtain that all important <br />license finally caught up to him. When he was <br />out of town, an off-duty sheriff stopped by to <br />check out the rumors that he regularly served <br />liquor. Once he was served an alcoholic <br />drink, he arrested the bartender, a woman <br />named Minnie. (Tom Hansen thinks Minnie <br />may have been a relative of his.) <br /> <br />Freddie got himself a well known lawyer and <br />the case was heard in front of Judge Otis. <br />According to Dick Arcand, the judge offered <br />him a choice of an $800 fine or a year's <br />probation. He paid the fine, perhaps so he <br />could go right on doing what he was doing. <br /> <br />Eventually Freddie became ill and the tavern <br />was closed. Although Freddie had been in <br />business for decades, he died without a <br />penny. One time mayor of Gem Lake, Henry <br />Hoffman, paid his funeral expenses. <br />The building was moved to the lot next door <br />where it sat for five years. The site where it <br />was moved is now the site of Enterprise Car <br />Rental. <br /> <br /> (continued on page 3) <br /> <br />Pictured behind the white sign is Freddie Roth's <br />Tavern, which once occupied the site where Vera <br />Auto is now located. To the right of the tree in the <br />background is Scheuneman's Market.