“We Are Up to the Challenge”

The other night, my husband and I went out to this restaurant in my hometown for what most locals deem ‘the best burger’. I’ve heard about it for years and they just had some big remodel, but in growing up, I’d never been. At one point, it looked pretty rough and I guess I had some preconceived notion about who would be there or what it would say about me if I went. 

I went in and I was completely wrong about all of my judgments. The burger was amazing, the back patio and room could hold its own design wise in most magazines. It was local, it was cute, it had soul.

We began talking to our server who has worked there for over 15 years. She began to tell me that although the place started in the 1970’s, two local residents in their early thirties bought the grill in December 2019. As we all know, the world changed a few months later. She said it was great because although she loved the past owners, they were tired. These two young guys approached with a global pandemic about to close their business said ‘we’re up to the challenge’! They built a front permanent patio, completely renovated the back, did a back room which she described as in the past as a ‘dirty, old shed’. They now host toddler rock and roll parties, bingo, trivia, NFL. They inserted life into a tired business.

I haven’t met them yet, but am excited to. To take a legacy, build on their prior customer base and breathing new life and excitement takes brave, bold entrepreneurs. When I saw I have a passion for Main Street Businesses- this is what I mean. Other people would’ve done everything cheap and just tried to stay afloat- these guys blew up so much of what existed and took it on. Really excited for my next burger!