LAKE VERMILION- When Greg “Arch” Archibald bought the Vermilion Club from Joanne and Ron Thibault 25 years ago, he brought his generous spirit and lifelong experience running pizza shops to Lake Vermilion’s most popular and long-lived night spot. And “the VC” as it’s known to regulars, was hopping Saturday night as folks gathered for a celebration of Arch’s quarter century at the helm.
Adding on a pizza kitchen to the already busy bar and fine dining restaurant, his business strategy was to keep everything he had loved about the place since he was a kid, who recalls enjoying visits to the VC after fishing or snowmobiling on Vermilion.
“I never touched the main bar,” he said, “but we added on space in the kitchen, and built the pizza shop.” The bar décor leans towards Minnesota professional sports, especially hockey and football. And for Arch, a huge sports fan himself, signed photos and jerseys remind everyone of the joy of being a fan.
Archibald started working at Poor Gary’s Pizza in Virginia when he was still in high school and had operated his own pizza shop since he was 20.
“Been doing pizzas for 50 years,” he said. Poor Gary’s pizzas at the VC are legendary, especially the Bamboozler, a 24-inch wide slab boasting three square feet of cheesy goodness which is advertised to feed six to nine adults, or in my experience, three teenage boys.
“Arch is the best boss you could ever have,” said Talia Miko, a longtime VC staffer. “He is kind and giving. He is so good to his employees. We all love each other.”
Archibald oversees a staff of almost 30 in the summer and he credits his staff with the success of the business. But the feeling is clearly mutual and the proof is the dozens of staffers who have been working there year after year.
“If anyone says they don’t love Arch, then they just don’t know him,” said staffer Brandie Heidenway. “He’s absolutely one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.”
Heidenway said there are very few bosses that you’d rather have sitting there while you are working a shift.
“He just brings the good times and good vibes with him. He makes it fun, and he makes sure we all know how much he appreciates us.”
“I’m there a lot,” said Archibald, though he admits he is often just sitting at the bar and talking with customers. Always in the same spot, a bar corner with a clear view of who is coming in, and who is already seated and who’s moving in and out of the large back room, with overflow tables and a stage for live music. The bar at the VC is a spot for the regulars, who are often seen on the same bar stool every time you come in.
At this point, his workday focuses on doing the paperwork, and as with any small business, fixing all the small and larger things that break or go wrong in a week. He is able to delegate most of the day-to-day management to longtime employees Talia Miko, Autumn Jacobson, and Chef Levi Anderson. Even so, he said he is quick to step in, even washing dishes, when they are short-staffed.
His philosophy is simple. “Treat your employees nicely,” he said. “There is no sense yelling at people.”
He has overseen generations of employees, some of which include three generations. “It’s nice to keep employees who know what they are doing. I always tease them that I can’t wait for their kids to come work for me, because I can tell them stories about their moms!”
Randy Johnson’s daughters Courtney and Whitney both worked at the Vermilion Club when they were growing up, and Courtney stayed on part-time until she had her first child, who is now 12.
“Arch has already offered Courtney’s kids jobs,” Johnson said.
While some parents might have had qualms about their teenage daughters working at a bar, Johnson said they trusted Arch because of the way he treated his employees. And while they worked hard during their shifts, he would give them time to have fun after the customers had mostly left, especially if a band was playing on the weekend.
Danielle (Young) Rossini remembered how Arch was there when she was going through one of the toughest times in her life. “He was the first one to help,” she said. Rossini started working at the VC when she was 14, before Archibald took over. “And I’m glad I stayed,” she said.
Levi Anderson has overseen the kitchen for 16 years. This kind of longevity isn’t often seen in the dining business, but Anderson echoed the sentiments of the rest of the staff. “He’s the best boss,” Anderson said. “That’s why I’m still here.”
Archibald has given Anderson control of the kitchen, letting him design a menu with offerings for all tastes with a focus on local favorites and house specialties. Anderson says their prime rib is some of the best you will see anywhere. And his teenage daughters have started taking some shifts washing dishes in the kitchen, because as you can tell, the VC is a place where families work together.
Line cook Josh Kesler has been working in the kitchen for eight years and loves being part of the VC team, as does his co-worker Ellie Frazee. They said Arch treats them like he was their father or grandfather.
Archibald is also known as a huge supporter of his community, which stretches from Tower across Lake Vermilion to Cook. He is a generous supporter of area events, fundraisers, volunteer groups like the fire department and area snowmobile clubs, and community events.
“Our community is so important,” he said.

Celebrating
The VC was busier than usual on Saturday night as folks turned out to celebrate Arch’s milestone, and partake of the cupcakes, cookies, spaghetti and alfredo in the back room, along with drink specials all night.
Sheila Mosher was up snowmobiling with her husband. Growing up in Tower, the VC was the spot she went to meet friends, hear great music, and have a good time.
And while tourists and summer residents make up a good portion of the customers in the summer, it is the locals that give the place its personality.
‘It feels like coming home here,” said Randy Johnson. “You know everybody.”