For five and a half years, Michael Auchly helped turn Bundy’s Burgers and Ice Cream as one of the popular go-to stops in Montgomery County.

Now, he plans to step down as the owner of the restaurant that is famous for its Bundy Burger, ice cream, fish sandwiches, chicken strips and hot dogs.

Auchly retired from the restaurant business on July 1, handing over ownership duties to Raymond Eckler, an Audrain County resident who currently runs the Cafe at the Montgomery County Livestock Auction Barn.

“I trust that we have some very loyal customers,” Auchly said. “Hopefully that continues. Raymond needs Montgomery City and Montgomery City needs Raymond.”

Auchly worked in the manufacturing business for 20 years before deciding to open up Bundy’s. He said even though he’s no longer the owner, he has plenty of things to do while being retired.

“I’ve got some projects out of the house to finish up,” Auchly said. “I’ve been working on them for years, so I finally get to take care of them. I’m still serving on the State Council. I’m the state deputy for the Missouri Knights of Columbus. I got reelected for another year. The big plan is to have some free time to relax and enjoy some evenings and weekends and spend time with family and friends.”

Eckler has been involved in the restaurant industry for many years. He said when he was offered the opportunity to buy Bundy’s, he decided to take it.

“I was looking at another place and a broker got back to me and said, ‘Hey, that one there was sold, but we have this one. Why don’t you talk to this guy.’ It took off from there,” Eckler said.

Bundy’s has been open since Dec. 18, 2019. It’s named after Auchly’s nickname he received while attending grade school. The restaurant closed its dining room for a short time during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

“When I first opened it, the plan was to get it established back into the community,” Auchly said. “We missed having ice cream here in the community, a good burger place type of deal. I wanted to get that back into the community. The plan was to get it established and get it off the ground and running and transition it to somebody else. We didn’t know that during the planning, we were throwing a dart at a pandemic dart board. Within two and a half months, we hit a bullseye. It was quickly a challenge right off the get-go. But we survived.”

Auchly said one of the reasons he opened the restaurant was so he could give young people an opportunity to work.

“It’s a payback community service,” Auchly said. “I’m just making sure our little town here survives and thrives. That’s what it’s all about. If we don’t take care of ourselves, who’s going to take care of us?”

Auchly said the restaurant has attracted patrons from not only Montgomery County, but other places in Missouri.

“It’s a great community with great customers,” Auchly said. “There are customers who travel far and wide to come here. It’s amazing that people call at night, making sure we’re still open. When they’re driving out of St. Louis and coming home, they don’t want to stop anywhere else to eat. They want to have something from here and would like to have it here.”

The restaurant currently has 18 employees. Auchly said during his tenure as owner, his business was successful because of the strong work ethic by the staff members.

“I had a lot of staff,” Auchly said. “They’re the ones who are doing the work. They’re the ones who are making everybody’s food. They’re the ones who are talking to the customers, taking care of things and making sure the stuff is right. I wouldn’t be sitting here five and a half years later without them. They have been absolutely fabulous for me.”