The Good Life – January-February 2019

our house and Klaus sold his
landscaping business. We basically
sold everything to do it.”
They bought the building “for a
reasonable amount of money,”
said Bert. As downtown Fargo
has boomed, the building’s value
has increased so much that it has
helped them be able to open their
subsequent businesses.
Dempsey’s has become a downtown
hub for music. Most nights of the
week there is activity on each level,
drawing national and regional acts.
Dempsey’s and The Aquarium are
celebrating their 13th anniversary
in March of 2019. On March 11th,
there will “definitely be a party to
celebrate” according to all three.
If you have been to Dempsey’s
or The Aquarium, you know that
music is an important part of the
atmosphere. Bert’s favorite artists at
the venue have included Langhorne
Slim, The Black Keys, and The Iron
Horse Band. Lisa really has enjoyed
Halestorm, 2 Live Crue, Mark
Mallman and Band of Horses. Klaus
mentioned Two Gallants and Future
Islands.
The Irish-themed bar’s name
originates from the last name of
their great-grandparents in Mudfork,
Logan County, West Virginia. They
recently traveled to a family funeral
in Kentucky and got to sample
some moonshine from family in
West Virginia, staying true to their
roots. The twins definitely have Irish
heritage. According to a DNA test,
their father is 52 percent Irish. Klaus
added, “A lot of our family is Scottish,
Irish and English.”
Klaus has the distinction of being
a Kentucky Colonel, an honorary
commission given by the state to
a person noted for public service.
He explained, “I was in the hotel
business for a long time. There was
a high maintenance customer in the
hotel, but we took care of him well.
The man told me that the Governor
of Kentucky, Paul Patton, was a
friend of his. So he took care of me
and now I am a Kentucky Colonel,”
proudly showing us the official,
framed certificate hanging in the
office at Dempsey’s along with his
updated membership card from his
wallet.
Bert said, “Dempsey’s is fun to have.
We spend a ton of time here. If we
ever go out, we always end up here –
seeing all of these bands that become
somewhat famous. It’s just plain fun.”
Klaus replied, “My favorite part is
all of the music we get here and also
all of the friends that we have made
here. We have met a lot of people
over the years.”
The furniture and interior design
are due to Klaus’s artistry and skill.
He and the general contractor
worked together. Klaus did all of
YUM!
peppers + onions,
sauerkraut,
and báhn mì
urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 21