The Chamber Board of Directors would like to honor a business that has demonstrated exceptional customer, employee, and community culture. Nominees should be visionary; seeking and implementing a quality care workforce, possess outstanding leadership attributes resembling a progressive manner, and portray pride in their business and community holding them to be distinguished as amongst the very best. This can include volunteer efforts, holding leadership positions in community organizations, fundraising for causes, etc.
Celebrating Businesses that Demonstrate Exceptional Customer, Employee, and Community Culture.
Qualifications
2024
Charlotte Koopman
Bob's Cafe
The legacy possibly began in 1951 when Ernie and Charlotte moved to Belle Fourche and bought Bob’s Café. In those early days, the café was open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with Ernie and Charlotte running the night shift.
Just 10 years later, they became the sole owners of Bob’s Café in 1961. They bought local eggs, bread, produce, and dairy to use in the meals served and provided that true homemade taste by making in house rolls, breads, pies, cookies, soups, hand cut steaks, and the famous homemade French fries to name just a few.
They raised their 3 children all while working at the café and immersed themselves within the community. Ernie was mayor of Belle Fourche from 1975 to 1977, involved in the city council, and started a board to build a new library. Ernie and Charlotte both were active members of numerous clubs including Lions Club, VFW as Ernie was a WWII veteran and Charlotte was an electrician for warships, Moose Lodge, bowling leagues and provided sponsorships for community events through the café.
They started a swimming pool fund and challenged other businesses to pledge as well. At one time, the couple had 4 eating establishments in Belle Fourche; the sale barn, Hoby’s, Belle Inn and of course Bob’s. The couple was known for their work ethic and commitment to the community.
Ernie passed in 1980 – and Charlotte continued the café wearing all of the hats: chef, server, bookkeeper, and dishwasher.
During an interview for the 65th anniversary – Charlotte didn’t want to be bothered by a reporter while she was preparing the meals, once the customers were served she then sat down to tell them about the café.
Charlotte continued operating the café until finally closing in 2020, reaching almost 70 years in business.
2025
Larry Prager
Center of the Nation Wool
Center of the Nation Wool quietly conducts business in the heart of downtown Belle Fourche, where it’s operated since 1960 when a group of local sheep producers got together to figure out a better way to market their wool. Today approximately 20% of the wool produced in the United States is grown right here in our region and passes through what is known locally as “The Wool Warehouse.” The sheep are sheared at the ranch and the wool is brought into the warehouse where it is graded, stored and if necessary held until the price is right. We talk a lot about how the economy Belle Fourche and Butte County is founded on agriculture, and this business exists solely to serve the ag business community and get them the best price for their product. Every extra dollar Center of the Nation Wool helps those producers get for their product is a dollar that finds its way back to continue circulating through other businesses in town and keep our economy moving.