Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: LIFE

Media Credit: Roberto Rodriguez

Denton may soon smell the aroma of Steve Logan's 150-year-old barbecue recipe thanks to a few students willing to get down to business.
The NT chapter of the Students in Free Enterprise organization is helping Logan build a concrete business plan to increase his chances of getting a business loan.
According to its Web site, the organization is a nonprofit spread across more than 800 college campuses nationwide that allows students to apply the free enterprise system in real world experiences.
Adam Clunn, a Cypress sophomore and vice president of marketing, said the NT chapter of the organization wanted to do more then just a community service project.
"Four to five students meet with Steve weekly to further the business plan," he said.
Four years ago, Steve's BBQ, formerly located at 403 E. Hickory St., burned down. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but it left Logan, who had no insurance at the time, with little hope of rebuilding.
Michael Sexton, the organization's adviser, said the idea of helping Logan get his business back up and running came to a few NT business students, and the students have established an attachment to Logan.
"Both the students and Steve enjoy the exchange, and when they get together it becomes less about age and more about interest," Sexton said.
Born and raised in Denton, Logan owned and operated Steve's BBQ for more than 23 years. Shortly after losing his business, Logan was unable to continue working because of numerous medical problems.
Logan attends the free enterprise organization meetings held every Wednesday to give the students a better idea of his business goals and his outlook for the business plan.
Clunn said the group plans to work on the business plan for the next three to four weeks.
A business plan includes the goals of the business owner, a timeline for development, the marketing aspects and the outlook for the future, Sexton said.
"One of the core goals is to be able to give back to our community by providing our business knowledge," Clunn said.
The organization consists of mostly entrepreneurship majors, but also includes general business majors and a fashion major.
Clunn said the short-term goal is to get Logan his business back.
Logan was in the insurance business before opening up his barbecue restaurant.
"I decided that I wanted to start something I could call my own," he said.
Before burning down, Steve's high-volume barbecue restaurant had a patio and small seating area that attracted many Denton locals during the lunch and dinner hour. Logan said people from near and far used to come out to grab a plate.
"The line used to be out the door," he said.
Logan said after losing his business, he was surprised at how much his community was willing to help him.
"Denton is full of good people willing to lend a helping hand," he said.
The new site being scoped out for the future home of Steve's BBQ is located on Locust Street.
Logan said he felt bad because he felt many people were doing more than he did for himself.
"I only hope to be able to give back what so many in the community have given me," he said.

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