Jana and Kevin Hill, owners of Bisbee Badassery, 105 Tombstone Canyon (formerly Main Street Bistro), are seeing the fruits of their labor come full bloom with their newly opened motorcycle-themed restaurant in Old Bisbee. The married couple of four years discovered the mountain community years ago while riding their motorcycles through the area. The self-proclaimed best friends and adventure buddies were drenched when they rolled into town after riding through January rain; however, it did not dampen their spirits after they realized Bisbee’s magical pull. “We instantly fell in love with its fun, funky, artistic, whimsical charm,” said Jana. “People were so friendly, and we appreciated that everyone here feels free to be themselves without any expectation to act, dress, or think any way other than yourself.”
The well-traveled couple did not expect to make their yearly vacation to Bisbee a permanent move so soon. After coming back once a year since they first discovered the town, they figured they would end up here someday; they thought it would happen after they retired, though. When they were visiting earlier this year, they thought it wouldn’t hurt to see what the houses on the market offered and what to expect for pricing. “The first house we looked at was just right, and we put an offer on it immediately,” said Jana. “Within a month and a half, we sold our house in Salt Lake City, Utah and arrived in Bisbee in July.” Now, they have been busy co-owners of a restaurant that opened its doors just six weeks ago.
Kevin was born and raised in Salt Lake City, and Jana grew up in Mesa but lived all over the country, including Michigan, Idaho, Hawaii and Utah. With 18 years of restaurant experience, including managing, owning and running them, Kevin’s love of the restaurant industry flourished again after moving to Bisbee. He wanted to be involved again and found the perfect space to setup shop for the restaurant that serves burgers, BBQ, sandwiches and salads with gluten-free and vegetarian options. The Bisbee Badassery also has an ice cream parlor, including 12 flavors with two dairy-free options, and a gift shop inside. It offers a pet-friendly patio featuring bright red chairs with a waterfall backdrop and a sasquatch-themed dine-in cave. (Beware of a Bigfoot spotting on your way to the cave.)
The restaurant is aptly themed, paying homage to the duo’s love of riding motorcycles and love of motorcycle-friendly establishments. Once you step inside, you will notice the passion they have put into decorating the intimate space. “We’ve both been collecting motorcycle signs, decorations, paraphernalia and mementos from our bike travels for a long time,” said Jana, “and it’s fun to have a place to share them.” As Kevin has the background in the business, he runs the kitchen and manages all the duties that go along with it. Jana, who has jumped in without abandon to learn about the industry/business for the first time, runs the ice cream and gift shop, schedules employees, and greets customers when she’s there. Jana has been a paralegal, administrative and executive assistant for 45 years, which she continues to do remotely full-time during the week for Zions Bancorporation.
The Hills believe in the power of community, as that is who has supported them from day one and gifted them with their amazing employees. “We thought that one of our biggest challenges would be finding good people to work for us,” said Jana. “However, we have talented, friendly, hardworking, and dependable employees, and we love working with them.” And the couple also believes in giving back to the community, which one way they do is by sourcing local products when possible. All the tap beers in their bar are local, featuring Electric Brewing, Ballpark Brewing, Old Bisbee Brewing and Tombstone Brewery brews. They also feature the Bisbee Blue Gin from Old Bisbee Distillery and local soda flavors from Bisbee Sodawerks.
Being open seven days a week is a feat in Bisbee, and it is a challenge the couple embraces to serve the community they fell in love with years ago while rolling into town soaked to the bone. Locals are the key to the success of the restaurant, and they opened this space to offer them a welcoming, comfortable, fun environment with delicious, reasonably priced food. One of the couple’s favorite aspects of the job so far has been meeting all the people that have come in from near and far, telling all their different stories. “What great friends we’ve already met and look forward to meeting so many more,” said Jana. “We are so excited to live here in Bisbee; it’s a dream come true, and we couldn’t be happier.”
Bisbee Badassery is open Sunday-Thursday from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.