Cynthia ‘Cynder’ Anderson takes ‘baby steps’ into bar ownership

Lori Jayne Carlson

Contributor

July 21, 2025

CHIPPEWA FALLS – Though Cynthia (Cynder) Anderson only officially became the full owner of Cynder’s 1st & Goal Saloon – the business and the building (29 E. Park Ave.) – July 1, she said her connection with the establishment began long ago.

Starting as a bartender at the establishment – then known without the Cynder’s moniker – 12 years ago, Anderson said she spent half that time managing the bar for the previous owner, Bill Gauger.

Looking for a side job at the time, Anderson – who moved to Chippewa Falls with her mother and stepfather as an adolescent – said she heard the bar was looking for a bartender. 

“Over time, I took on more and more responsibilities and eventually was managing [it],” she said.

When Gauger decided to retire after 22 years of ownership, Anderson said he encouraged her to buy the bar. 

However, Anderson said she stuck with her life motto – “baby steps” – and purchased only the business in 2024, and leased the building.

That was until earlier this month, when she purchased the building as well, making her the full owner of Cynder’s 1st & Goal.

First-time business owner

Though she is the first bar owner in her family, Anderson said both her mother and her grandmother were bartenders.

“Maybe it’s in my blood a little bit,” she said.

Still, Anderson said it was “the scariest thing I have ever done in my life” – calling it “a big leap of faith” – but added that leap is now paying off, as she’s proud to have something of her own.

Though she served as the bar’s manager for quite some time, Anderson said being a first-time business owner, she admits she had to learn as she went.

“I’ve been running it myself for one and a half years,” she said. “I have a lot more respect for small business owners [now that I am one]. I’m still learning.”

As she made improvements to the bar – which has included adding new beer coolers, redoing the floors and even renovating the upstairs apartment – Anderson said she has stuck true to that family motto: “baby steps.”

“One thing at a time, even now,” she said. “All of the things we’ve done have really added up.”

Anderson said her husband, Chad, and their two children – Carcyn (13) and Rayven (5) – are in full support of her endeavor, and pitch in here and there.

Chad, she said, helps out a bit with some of the maintenance, while Carcyn pitches in with cleaning.

“I would love it, when [our kids] are older, if they were more involved,” she said. “I would love it if it were to grow into a family business.”

Anderson said the best part of owning and operating the bar is interacting with patrons and hearing all of the stories and memories that have been made there.

“Let’s keep making memories,” she said. “Let’s keep the positive stories going… I want to improve it and make sure people have a good experience. We have good regulars – they are like family.” 

That family-like connection and appreciation, Anderson said, extends to her staff.

“I want to thank them for being here,” she said. “I wouldn’t be here without them… Even the cleaners [who come in at night]. It’s a thankless job, but it’s important. I hope they know they are appreciated.”

Anderson said Cynder’s 1st & Goal Saloon’s main bartender, Lindsie, now also serves as a manager.

“She is definitely a big help,” she said.

A peek back in time

As she took the reins of 1st and Goal Saloon, Anderson said curiosity about the building’s history had her searching anywhere and everywhere for more details. 

After a few failed attempts to learn much about it, she said she “got lucky” and was eventually connected with the “right people to talk to.”

Anderson said she learned the bar – which was originally owned by Bill Loiselle – was housed in a train car in the 1930s and was called the Coach Inn.

She said Loiselle’s children – who were in their 90s when she researched the bar’s history – shared information and private family photos of the bar with her.

“It was kind of a fancy place [back then],” she said.

In the 1940s, Anderson said Loiselle built the original building that now stands, with additions built in the 1970s.

Over the years, she said the property has housed several other buildings, including log and cement cabins at one time – with some of their concrete foundations still on the property today. 

“I’m still on the hunt for more information,” she said.

With the information she has gathered thus far, Anderson said she has created a timeline of the property, complete with photos from Loiselle’s adult children hanging on the walls.

Lots to experience

Anderson said there is a lot to experience at Cynder’s 1st & Goal Saloon – from Captain Morgan Mondays, Tito’s Vodka Tuesdays and Windsor Wednesdays, to Thirsty Thursdays and Bloody Mary Sunday – each of which offers special discounted pricing.

In addition, she said the establishment offers happy hour from 3-6 p.m. every Monday through Friday, with 50 cents off all drinks and beer.

All day Saturday, Anderson said, is free pool day, while darts are on the house from 6 p.m. to close on Wednesdays.

Every Thursday at 7 p.m., she said the bar hosts DJ Trivia – which has been a “big hit.”

And the experiences, Anderson said, don’t stop there.

On the last Sunday of every month, she said Cynder’s 1st & Goal Saloon hosts a meat raffle, with drawings held at 4 p.m. 

Last month, Anderson said the bar hosted its 10th annual Honey Badger Scramble Golf Outing.

And in September, she said, it will host an annual poker run. 

Anderson said the bar also sponsors dart, pool and bowling league teams, as well as hosts regular events throughout the year, such as bean bag tournaments and holiday parties.

She said Cynder’s 1st & Goal Saloon can comfortably accommodate parties of up to 40-50 people – between the inside space, the patio area and the heated smoking room. 

“It’s a fun bar,” she said. “A neighborhood fun place.”

Check out Cynder’s 1st & Goal Saloon’s Facebook page for more details.