Bowar is new Lynn’s manager

Barry Bowar, new manager at Lynn’s Dakotamart in Custer, comes with 30 years of retail experience on his resume.

Bowar began his new position as manager Oct. 4 after most recently working at the Lynn’s Dakotamart in Sturgis. He began with the company in July as a manager in training. Prior to that he worked almost 30 years at retail locations similar to Lynn’s (grocery stores, liquor stores, etc.) in Wahpeton, N.D., and Bemidji, Minn.

After learning of the opening in Custer after the passing of former manager Drew Dacus, Bowar decided to apply for the manager position.

“It’s been good. You have to learn the new company and things like that,” he said. “It’s an awesome little store and super friendly. A lot of people have stopped in. It’s been a really good experience.”

Bowar and his wife, Shelly, are no strangers to Custer. Even when they didn’t live in the Black Hills, they were frequent visitors, especially when the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally rolled around. The two are riding enthusiasts.

“We have toured through the Hills and been to Custer a number of times,” he said. “We always said we were going to retire in the Hills some day. It came a little earlier than we thought, but that’s OK. This area has always been of interest to us.”

The Bowars have two sons, one of whom is a senior at North Dakota State University, and the other who is in his first year of college.

Bowar said the employees in Custer have been “awesome,” calling them great people with a lot of experience, both in the store and in the area.

“They have done a great job of keeping up the store and standards,” he said. “I’m extremely happy with what I ended up with here in Custer.”

Bowar said he has already heard and seen numbers from how busy the Custer store gets in the summer and, having experienced the Sturgis Lynn’s during the Rally, welcomes the challenge.

“From what I have seen and heard, it’s a madhouse,” he said with a laugh. “That’s OK; I’m kind of an adrenaline junky. It’s a good thing. That’s what it’s all about.”

When he isn’t riding his Harley, Boward said he enjoys pheasant hunting.

Bowar said he looks forward to getting to know the people in the communtiy and continuing what Lynn’s has done in Custer in the past.

“As an organization, we are really blessed with a great community like this,” he said.