Overton Eatery Approaches 30th Anniversary

The Progress is showcasing local businesses again this summer. We will be speaking with small business owners to celebrate their contributions to the community. This is the first in that series.

By JOE SOBRIO

The Progress

The Inside Scoop is turning 30 this year. Located at 395 S. Moapa Valley Blvd. in the southern end of downtown Overton, this hometown sandwich and ice cream shop has been open since 1992.

It was that year that Joyce and Ralph Spencer sold their beloved cattle ranch in Utah and moved to Stewart’s Point on Lake Mead. They purchased a small existing restaurant and renamed it The Inside Scoop at that time.

The distinctive and clever name was the result of a community contest. The Spencers asked locals to submit restaurant names into the contest to determine what to call the place. The winner ended up being Progress founder, John Z. Robison.

Since 2002 Tish and Chris Clark have been running the day-to-day tasks for the restaurant. The shop has experienced many ups and downs over the years. But Tish said that the hardest time by far was the economic crash of 2008.
“The community is the only reason we survived,” she said.

Tish explained that many community members, who were also hurting for money at the time, kept supporting the local business to keep it afloat. If locals had not supported The Scoop, it would be a memory, she said.

As the years have gone by, The Inside Scoop has flowed with the changing times. They support many youth-based community activities as well as tourist activities in the Valley of Fire State Park.

As Lake Mead’s boat ramps have close completely this summer, the future is unknown for this local staple.
“We are here because of the community,” Tish said. However, she pointed out that they also have relied on the tourist activity that Lake Mead and the Valley of Fire brings through town.

Tish explained that COVID really changed the business model at The Scoop. “We have seen a huge increase in our call-in orders,” she said. “At times the dining room may be empty, but the restaurant may have 10 or more call-in orders waiting. We have never seen so many call-in orders.”

The restaurant is a family-owned business. But it is always looking for help from the community.
“We are always accepting resumes to hire employees,” Tish said.

Tish adds that she likes to view resumes over applications. High school-age applicants who are involved in extracurricular activities seem to do the best.
“They know to look someone in the eye and they have a good work ethic,” she said.

Tish explained that some of her prior employees have gone on to careers in the military, management at retail stores, and two girls went on to be engineers.

The Inside Scoop has survived many other restaurants that have come and gone in downtown Overton. This seems to be because of its massive local support. Both local dining and local high school youth starting their working career at the establishment. Further, many local youth-based programs rely on the Scoop for financial support as they fundraise, they are truly a local anchor.

Stop by The Inside Scoop and ask about their covert Steak menu!