Sam is stepping away from Sam's, but the institution abides with new ownership.

Photo from Payne-Koehler Road in 1980, with
the Fourth Dam Tavern (future Sam's) on the left.

Sam Anderson is stepping away from the restaurant biz. Below you'll find the local chain newspaper's coverage.

Sam as an individual and Sam's as a bar/restaurant are iconic institutions in New Albany. "Legend" is overused, but entirely appropriate in this instance. How many local eateries have been in business for the better part of 37 years under the same name and ownership? Sam is the link between the Lancaster's and South Side of old, and the explosion of new dining and drinking establishments today.

I believe the footprint of the original Sam's now lies beneath asphalt near the intersection of Charlestown Road and Blackiston Mill Road. In olden times it was called Kamer's Tavern, then became Fourth Dam Tavern for a very long period. It's what the business was called when I attended university at IU Southeast.

It will suffice to say that the Fourth Dam Tavern was a dive in the old-school sense, not at all cuddly in the contemporary parlance. The door on the Blackiston Mill Road side, which was used by customers, was less than a sidewalk's length from passing cars. It was insane.

I turned 21 in 1981, which proved briefly embarrassing when revealed to staffers in the joints where I already was a regular. Around the same time Fourth Dam Tavern closed, and the new owner remodeled it into a German-themed eatery (no joke) called the Gasthaus. The redesign includes stucco and exterior murals of Bavarian scenes, pained by a local artist Rene Delisle, who died in 2002.

Gasthaus lasted maybe two years, and was followed by a short-lived bar and grill called Ye Olde Mill Inn. Then in early 1984 came Sam's.

Friends of mine knew Sam from high school, and we all became immediate barflies. This will come as a shock to some, but one of the beers Sam kept around for us was Michelob Classic Dark in bottles. We drank the living hell out of that one, along with St. Pauli Girl, Beck's and (yes) draft swill when money was tight.

Sam's under Sam was an institution. Let's hope it stays that way under the news owners -- and, by the way, the fire at the original location of Sam's was in December 2013, not 2014. Minor point, I know. The reason I remember is that is happened right before Christmas.

Sam's Food & Spirits founder stepping away from business, by John Boyle (News&Bune)

After nearly four decades, Sam Anderson is selling his namesake restaurant, which has been a part of the Floyd County community since opening in 1984.

Sam's at The Montrose extends business hours: Now open from Tuesday through Friday.

Straight off the wire. I'm delighted to see an institution back on its feet, and making use of a great property.

We at Sam's Food & Spirits want to thank our loyal customers for their patronage. Our Highlander Point location is thriving and we have enjoyed serving you Fridays at The Montrose.

We're pleased to announce that Sam's at The Montrose will extend our restaurant hours to Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Enjoy your Sam's favorites at 318 W. Lewis and Clark Parkway, Clarksville, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 30!

The Montrose, a Clark County historic gem, is also available for special events Saturdays and Sundays. We also offer full service catering at our place or yours and licensed bartending.

Call us at 945-9757, or come see the new Sam's Tuesdays through Fridays.

For reservations or carry-out at Highlander Point, call 923-2323.

"Keep reading our emails regarding Sam's reopening at The Montrose this spring."

The fire that destroyed the original location of Sam's Food & Spirits may seem to have been a long time ago, but it was only early December. Since then, the Highlander Point location has been the subject of most company marketing e-mails, and yet the "other" property -- Plantation Montrose on Lewis & Clark Parkway in Clarksville, the Sam's site for banquets and big events -- has been standing by quietly, waiting future dispositions, and with this week's mailing, it appears a decision about the future has been made.

The oft-cited complaint about Montrose, which failed in previous incarnations (Major McCullough Steak House, Stratto's), is its location; neither here nor there, and at the wrong end of the highway. However, there is no more iconic a food and drink business name as Sam's in Southern Indiana. Everything's in place. I see no reason it won't work to render Montrose onto Sam's flagship bricks and mortar store.

As always, I wish Sam and everyone the best. It's hard imagining the scene without them.

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Sam's Preparing for Opening...

Sam's New Albany will be open for Fridays during the Lenten season beginning March 14. (We will not be open to the public March 7 due to a previously booked event. However, Highlander Point Sam's will be glad to serve you Ash Wednesday and the first Friday of Lent. We're open at "The Point" seven days a week for lunch and dinner!)

On Fridays beginning on the 14th we will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at The Montrose, 318 W. Lewis & Clark Pkwy., Clarksville. We'll open with our regular menu (including a few "tweaks,") and full bar. We hope to see you and know you will recognize some familiar faces. Sam's at Montrose is a hop, skip and jump from downtown New Albany and we look forward to lunch or dinner with you!

Keep reading our emails regarding Sam's reopening at The Montrose this spring Mondays through Fridays. And remember, The Montrose is available for weddings, receptions, parties and more Saturdays and Sundays.

Call that number you know...945-9757...for more information. Meet you at Sam's!

Kiwanis donation effort underway to help employees of Sam's Food & Spirits.

It is a moving testament to the community's affection for Sam's Food & Spirits that in the wake of the devastating fire there not even 48 hours ago, help for Sam Anderson's employees is quickly being mobilized. I received this last night from Steve LaDuke:

Kiwanis of Historic New Albany announces a Christmas donation account for the employees of Sam's because of their loss, especially during the holidays. Donations can be dropped off at River Valley Bank in Sellersburg, IN or mailed to Kiwanis of Historic New Albany, 2724 Quail Chase Dr., Sellersburg, IN 47172. Checks should be made out to Kiwanis of Historic New Albany with Sam's Christmas Fund in the memo. 100% of the money raised will be donated to the employees of Sam's Food and Spirits.

In addition, there is much chatter among area's restaurant and bar community about a fundraiser of some sort before Christmas. As I learn more, the information will be posted. Below, the newspaper covers the fire and reaction to it.

Community rises up to help New Albany restaurant lost in fire; Sam's Food & Spirits burned down where it stood for 29 years, by Matt Koesters (Paywall Picayune)

NEW ALBANY — New Albany lost an iconic restaurant to fire late Monday night.

While Sam’s Food & Spirits’ location on Charlestown Road — where it stood for 29 years — burned down, the community was quick to rise up in a show of support.

Banner headline Tuesday, Part Two: Fire claims Sam's Food & Spirits.

Dear Friends of Sam's

We have experienced a major fire at our New Albany location. If you
 had Christmas or other party reservations, please email
jane@samstavern.com or call 502-693-1210.

Please help us get the word out and forward to your address book.

There'll be more information as to the fire itself, which broke out around midnight, after closing; the good news is that no one was hurt.

Both Sam Anderson an individual and Sam's as a restaurant are iconic institutions in New Albany. How many local eateries have been in business for just shy of thirty years under the same name and ownership? Sam is the link between the Lancaster's and South Sides of old, and the explosion of new dining and drinking establishments today.

To Sam, from all of us at NABC: Hang in there, good luck, and let us know if we can do anything to help.

The two locations of Sam's Food & Spirits have reopened.

First, permit me to express sincere relief that Sam's Food & Spirits has reopened, and  also that the tax issues causing Sam Anderson's two restaurants to briefly close for two days this week are being resolved. Both Sam the person and Sam's as a restaurant are iconic institutions hereabouts. Which local eateries have been in business for 28 years under the same name and ownership?  Sam is the link between the Lancaster's and South Sides of old, and the explosion of new places today.

And, thanks to Grace Schneider for clearly explaining what happened, and how it's been addressed.

Sam's eateries in Floyd County reopen after 2-day shutdown, by Grace Schneider (Courier-Journal)

Both Sam's Food and Spirits restaurants in Floyd County reopened Friday for lunch after closing suddenly Tuesday afternoon. The Indiana Department of Revenue had temporarily shut them down because the company defaulted on payment of state taxes, owner Sam Anderson said Friday afternoon.

Congratulations to Sam’s Food & Spirits on the Big 2-5.

Sam’s Food & Spirits turns 25 tomorrow, and Sam Anderson scored good press with the Tribune's Chris Morris, and via Dale Moss in today's C-J.

The place in New Albany again is ostensibly his – more his, anyway -- after about a decade with partners who also operate the area’s Bristol restaurants. It feels right, all right, to Anderson at age 50 to resume the challenge he accepted at 25. He embraced the risk, as he puts it, and comes back for another squeeze.

My circle at the time was a regular fixture at Sam's Tavern, and it seemed that long before the advent of Whole Foods, on some weeks my Whole Paycheck was going to him. Not at any point did I ever imagine that 25 years later, I'd be alive, in the food and drink business and selling my own company's products (NABC Elector) to Sam.

So it goes, and as we know, life's what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. Here's to Sam and his cast and crew over the years, and here's the menu tomorrow. Ironically, two of the three beers with "retro" pricing didn't exist in 1985, but then again, Michelob Dark no longer is with us, either. We drank an awfully lot of it then, usually watching IU basketball games. Damn. Where'd the time go?

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In recognition of Sam’s Food & Spirits Twenty-fifth Anniversary, you are invited to celebrate with us as we roll back our favorite menu item prices to 1985. It is because of your patronage, that we have enjoyed success over the past 25 years. Please enjoy your meal as it was priced in our first year of business, 1985. Thank you for the pleasure of serving you.

Sam Anderson

1985-2010
Menu Available January 23rd Only
Dining Room Only – No Carry-Out Orders
Platters Include — Choice of French Fries, House Fries or Onion Rings

APPETIZERS
Broccoli Cheese Balls . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.95
Fried Mozzarella.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.95
Potato Skins. . . . . . . . . . .. . . Loaded 3.95
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chili Skins 4.95
Fried Vegetable Combo
Includes Mushrooms, Cauliflower
and Zucchini – enough to share.. . . 3.95
Rolled Oysters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.95
Sam’s Salad
Includes Salad, Ham, Turkey, Cheese,
Bacon and Diced Eggs.. . . . . . . . . . . 3.95

FRESH HAMBURGERS
Fresh ground beef brought in daily, pattied in our own kitchen, Charbroiled to order.
Choice of French Fries, House Fries or Onion Rings.
Includes choice of two sides.
Hamburger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Platter 2.95
Each Additional Topping . . . . . . . . .0.25
Cheddar Cheese, American Cheese, Swiss Cheese, Bacon, Sauteed Onions, Sauteed Mushrooms

SANDWICHES
White Fish Sandwich
Broiled or Fried .. . . . . . . . . . . . . Platter 2.95
Fresh Boneless Chicken Breast
Charbroiled or Fried . . . . . . . . .. Platter 2.95
Club Sandwich .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Platter 2.95

DINNERS
White Fish Dinner Broiled, Blackened or Fried. 6.95
Butterfly Shrimp Broiled, Blackened or Fried ..6.95
Chicken Fingers Breaded and Fried .. . . . . . . 6.95
8-oz. Ribeye Broiled to Order.. . . . . . . . . . . 8.95

All Kids’ Meals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.99
Beverages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

10-ounce draft Shock Top, Amberbock, Bud Light 0.85

Trivia for prizes all day. Music by Tim Morrow, 9-midnight.