Post Falls business continues legacy of honoring those who served

POST FALLS — Brent Topie had two life goals: To work in a prison and own a bar.

He worked in the prison system for 14 years in central California, then worked for the Kootenai County Jail for more than three years after relocating to North Idaho with his family in 2019.

In June 2024, he and wife Niki, dad Skip and mom Robin bought the Bunker Bar and Burger Bunker in Post Falls.

Missions accomplished.

"I did both of them, so here we are," Brent said, seated Oct. 8 at a table near his parents in the Bunker Bar, 702 N Spokane St., Post Falls. 

"My life's complete," he said with a smile.

Although Brent is not a veteran, he continues the military-honoring legacy of his predecessors, Army veteran Trace and wife Jammie Miller, who established the Bunker Bar and J&T Food Bunker (now the Burger Bunker) in 2019 after operating the food truck for a year in Coeur d'Alene.

"When we were talking to them, they didn't want to sell it to anybody that didn't have any type of first responder/military background," Brent said. "I used to come in here a lot, that's how we got to know them."

The Topie family was looking to purchase a different bar in Spokane, but after conversations evolved with the Millers — who shifted their focus to another venture, the local Konala restaurant franchise — the Topies were asked if they would buy the Bunker Bar.

"It all worked out," Brent said. "There were a lot of discussions at the time to make sure we weren't going to want to change the mentality, which obviously we didn't, we want to keep growing it to continue to be the military and first responder theme and take care of them."

"And give back to our community, especially when we do fundraisers," Robin added.

A full bar with 180 whiskey options is complemented by a menu filled with military-themed items, such as the jalapeno and cream cheese-stuffed flashbangs, M16 and AK burgers and chili combat barrels. New items appear often and breakfast is also popular with the patrons.

A ceremonial burial flag honoring Brent's late grandfather, a Purple Heart veteran who served in the Korean War, is displayed high on the shelf for all to see. Military and first responder patches fill the walls near a carved wooden American flag. Every Tuesday morning a veteran club meets at the Bunker Bar, followed by meetings Wednesday for the group's leadership. 

Several Bunker staff members are also veterans or come from military families. General manager Matt Horne served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2015-2021 plus two years in the Individual Ready Reserve. He was a regular customer before he joined the Bunker team.

"I just love the camaraderie and what it gives back to the community," he said. "A lot of my veteran friends and friends who I have met here, they call this place their safe haven."

Aside from the weekly group meetings, the dog-friendly Bunker Bar frequently hosts charitable events to raise money for local veterans, first responders, schoolchildren and food banks such as parking lot parties, concerts and the Idaho Arm Wrestling Championships. From 4-8 p.m. Saturday the Bunker crew will cater the Newy-ginnings of North Idaho Gala at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

"I think it's awesome," Brent said. "One of the reasons we bought this bar was to be able to give back to the community and hold all these events for first responders and veterans."

Brent said the bar world is often stigmatized.

"I want this bar to not be part of that stigma," he said. "This is a safe place. Anybody can come in here and talk about anything... It's awesome, that's what we do it for."

Robin said as Christians, they were unsure they wanted to own a bar.

"Time went by and people said, 'You know, where are you going to find people to talk to if you don't go to the places where they're at?' Since we've owned it, it's been a blessing because we have been able to talk about Jesus," she said. "I've prayed with ladies with cancer."

Brent held up a coaster on which someone wrote, "Please pray 4 me — just got told that I have cancer."

"It's the big things and the little things," he said. "We get little things like this all the time."

Robin said she's proud the whole family is included in a community-minded business, and she loves watching it grow through Brent's many ideas. The family also owns PNW Catering and has a liquor trailer that can transport Bunker Bar's offerings to events.

Info: burgerbunker.com

    Mom Robin and son Brent Topie are seen Oct. 8 in front of the Bunker Bar in Post Falls, which the Topie family purchased in June 2024. The family is continuing the original owners' legacy of supporting veterans of military and first responder service.
  

    Chef Kyle Bowlby mans the grill Oct. 8 in the Burger Bunker, the Bunker Bar's food truck located just outside in the parking lot.
  

    Payton Topie, 17, smiles from the window of the Burger Bunker, which serves military-themed menu items such as the AK burger, flyover wings and chili combat barrels.
  

    The popular MK burger and fries, crafted by chef Kyle Bowlby of the Bunker Bar and Burger Bunker.