Bob Burns, who is 82, and his wife Charlene, who is 76, lost their restaurant, the Cattle Baron Supper Club, in a smoldering electrical fire that became uncontrollable due to high winds on 01/14/26. This was one of their worst nightmares and something no one ever imagines actually happening until it does.

The Cattle Baron was not just a restaurant. It was their life’s work and the heart of our family. The business goes back more than 100 years, starting with Bob’s grandmother, who first ran a small store in this same place. Bob’s dad later turned it into the Babb Bar. Bob took over in 1974 and never stopped working to keep the doors open. Bob and Charlene, along with their children, family, and friends, built the supper club addition themselves and opened the big side in 2000. Every part of it was built with love, hard work, and pride.

This place was incredibly special to our entire family. All of their grandchildren worked there. It gave them their first jobs and taught them responsibility and work ethic. It was a place where our family gathered and where so many memories were made. Over the years, the Cattle Baron employed hundreds of people and became one of the longest lasting businesses on the Blackfeet Reservation.

Inside the restaurant were precious pieces of artwork and personal items that can never be replaced. The building can be rebuilt, but the sentimental value of what was lost is gone forever.

The Cattle Baron was still operating and supporting Bob and Charlene financially through the winter, which makes this loss even more devastating. After pouring their entire lives into this place, losing it so suddenly is heartbreaking.

We are asking for help to support Bob and Charlene through this unimaginable loss. The funds raised will help with the financial strain, loss of income, and any future rebuilding if that becomes possible. Unfortunately, due to many hardships after Covid, they had a hard time maintaining insurance on the building and did not currently have any, which makes this a total loss for them and a devastating loss for the entire reservation.

If you ever shared a meal, worked a shift, or made a memory at the Cattle Baron, please consider donating or sharing this page. Your support means more than words can express.

Thank you for helping our family during such a heartbreaking time. ❤️

For those who prefer not to donate online, checks or cash can be dropped off or mailed. Please message me if you’d like details. We truly appreciate every bit of support.