About
Originally just a shack for beer, bait & burgers, Slippery's was made famous by the movies " Grumpy Old Men" & " Grumpier Old Men". Taking their usual liberties with reality, Hollywood named the bait shop " Chuck's Bait Shop ", (in memory of Wabasha's former chief of police because he was such a regular customer), and Slippery's Tavern was placed elsewhere in town. The existing facility dated back to 1979 when the original shack burned down, and Slippery & Gladys rebuilt the resort with boat rentals and a gas dock. Slippery was an avid fisherman who was a legend in town, known for his quick wit, and knowledge of every good fishing hole in the area, and believe me his legend has continued to grow with every story that has been told about him since his death in 1992.
The land where Slippery's stands used to be the sight of the old Wabasha Boat Yard & Marina. Under and around the buildings we have found spikes and planks used for the construction of steamboats. The boat yard built & repaired five or more wheelers in its heyday, in the early 1900's. The last steamboat built here, the Aquila (constructed in 1928 by Capt. William Peters) sailed out under the Wabasha Bridge in 1948. The Aquila was lost to a fire up river about a year later.
Slippery's as you see it today has been a Bar & Restaurant since 1979. The reason for it's success is also it's greatest downfall, it sits so close to the Mississippi River. It attracts many boaters, snowmobilers, eagle watchers & diners seeking the best view, food, beverages & service in the area. However it's close proximity to the river also makes it prone to flood, which has happened many times over the years. In the spring of 2001 the river rose to its second highest crest of 18.2 feet, filling the Bar & Restaurant with 5.5 feet of water. In a river town like Wabasha, everyone watches the river closely and if a flood is imminent, the entire community works together to keep the flood waters out. Movie fame & flood waters aside, Wabasha is a great town, come on in and find out for yourself!!!
Our Story
The screen play for both " Grumpy & Grumpier Old Men " were written by Hastings, Minnesota native Mark Steven Johnson, who's grandfather, old man Gilbert lived in Wabasha, an avid fisherman who frequented Slippery's. The Clickner's lived across the street from Max & John, (Walter Mathua & Jack Lemon) in the movies and in real life lived across the street from Gilbert. The main idea for the stories came from Marks memories of the time he spent with his grandfather in Wabasha, and the characters in the movies were fashioned from real people who still live here in town. (Although no one really knows who they are, some of us have a pretty good idea). As for all the famous insults & quips, many came from Slippery himself.
In the famous ice fishing scene Max & John went to Indian Slough, which is about a mile down stream from Slippery's. Faribault, Minnesota was chosen for its resemblance of a small Minnesota downtown area, the train station in the opening scenes of the first movie was actually the Depot Bar & Grill in Faribault, Slippery's Bar in the movies was really Half Time Rec Bar in St. Paul. Interior shots of the Homes were actually made in Paisley Park sound stage in Chanhassen. The room shots were furnished with antiques purchased from shops in Stillwater. Filming locations included buildings & scenic overlooks from all over the state: the city center in Red Wing, a vintage drugstore in Faribault, Hyacinth Ave. in St. Paul - Lake Phalen district, which had houses of the pre WWI era, was used for the exterior of the main characters homes. The church in the wedding scenes is in Chisago - Lindstrom area. The overlook scenes from the top of the bluff were shot at Hilltop City Park in Red Wing. The ice houses were shot on Rebecca Lake near Delano: interior shots were filmed in studio sets.
Sets for the movies were built by Wabasha native Blaine Marcou, whos dad's Real Estate sign can be seen in the movies. The ice house was fortunately rescued and is sitting in Slippery's Gift Shop, which can be seen through the window of Ragetti's Restaurant in " Grumpier Old Men".