Photos by TERRI WATTS

Duana Woodfin is now the official owner of the Burns-Hines Liquor Store, located at 767 Ponderosa Village in Burns.

As of today (Wednesday, July 27), the Burns-Hines Liquor Store is under new ownership.

Longtime Harney County resident and store manager, Duana Woodfin, has officially taken the reins.

Woodfin, who was born and raised in Harney County, is no stranger to hard work. Growing up on a ranch, she learned to ride horses, drive tractors, and develop resiliency a strong work ethic at a very young age. Her father literally  taught her to “get back on the horse.”

Woodfin said being a longtime Harney County resident has its advantages and disadvantages, and they’re one in the same.

“Everyone thinks they know you, and the likelihood is that they do,” she said. 

Woodfin is a fixture in Harney County. You can often find her volunteering in the community or contributing to local charities. 

She is especially passionate about helping people who’ve been displaced from their homes due to fire. In addition to collecting and distributing donations, she helps connect fire victims to much-needed resources. 

Woodfin also founded a nonprofit organization that helps provide healing and resources for women who have been sexually abused. 

If you aren’t familiar with Woodfin’s work in the community, you might know her as “the girl from the liquor store.”

Through her various professional experiences, Woodfin has come to learn a lot about spirits. 

During her time away from Harney County, Woodfin got a job bar tending. She became quite fond of this line of work and was really good at it! Bar tending soon became her passion, and she couldn’t get enough of it! Woodfin would work the day shift in one bar, and then turn around and work the night shift in another.

“I not only loved the showmanship of being a bartender, but I also loved the interaction with the people,” she said. “I loved seeing the regular faces, and I loved meeting new people.”

In addition to providing excellent customer service, Woodfin learned a lot about the products she served, including differences among the various types of spirits.

For example, she learned that all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. Bourbon must be made in the United States, distilled from 51 percent corn, and aged in new oak-charred barrels. There are strict rules in place to ensure its quality. 

Unfortunately, somewhere in the midst of her thriving youth, Woodfin lost her way. 

“It took me several years, and several failed attempts, to dig myself out of the hole I had created,” Woodfin said. “Once I finally got myself back on track and back in line, I knew it was time to come back to Harney County, to my roots. I am proud to say I have been sober (including weekends and holidays) for 13 years!”

Woodfin is now happily married to her husband, Jerry, who is also a successful business owner and the mayor of Burns. She has one son and one grandson, and Jerry has two teen sons.

“I am grateful for the life I have today and for the never-ending opportunities that life brings,” Woodfin said. 

After moving back to Burns, Woodfin took a couple different bar tending jobs. She worked at one of the bars for three years and found herself at a crossroads when it was about to close. Fortunately, the former manager of the liquor store offered her a job, and she happily accepted it. 

Shortly afterward, Bob (RJ) McDannell purchased the liquor store, the former manager moved out of the area, and Woodfin made the easy decision of stepping into the management role. 

She’s spent the past nine years working with McDannell, learning a lot about life and business along the way. 

“I have him to thank for this business opportunity,” Woodfin said, explaining that she’s now ready to take the helm.

In addition to thanking McDannell for his mentorship, Woodfin expressed appreciation for her husband, friends, family, and staff for seeing her through the process of purchasing the businesses. She also thanked Morrow Development for providing financial support and Denise Rose of Harney County Economic Development for offering moral support. 

“I probably have a couple of gray hairs that weren’t there when I started this venture, all the way back in April,” Woodfin said. However, she added, “I’ve had some amazing support.”

Woodfin said she strives “to provide the best customer service available, to make the store appealing to the eye, and to provide customers with what they want and what they need.” She added that she’d like to thank the community for its continued support and patronage. 

Located at 767 Ponderosa Village in Burns, the Burns-Hines Liquor Store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

A grand re-opening celebration will be held Thursday, Sept. 8 at the liquor store. The event will feature tastings and prize drawings.  

Be sure to like and follow the Burns-Hines Liquor Store on Facebook for additional updates and information.