Henderson

HENDERSON Henderson RoadHaus Pub and Eatery

Darrell Eckblad became the owner of the Henderson RoadHaus Pub and Eatery in October 2021. While his tenure as owner has been less than a year, he said the opportunity and dream of owning a restaurant date back to his younger days.

The RoadHaus is located on Main Street in scenic Henderson. It’s an institution in the community, and Eckblad knows the impact this particular eatery has on the small town of around 900 people.

“That restaurant has been in Henderson for a lot of years. It is a vital part of the little town,” Eckblad said.

With the motto “Come for the Food, Stay for the Entertainment,” the RoadHaus has been a staple for the community, offering a restaurant, bar and grill with a pub-style atmosphere. It’s open seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“We try to have that hometown cooking,” Eckblad said

One thing that makes the RoadHaus stand out is its unique menu. Eckblad said people love the tuna Gouda melt, the flaming house burger and their signature commercials.

“Being in an agricultural area, we know people love any kind of commercial, beef, turkey, you name it,” Eckblad said.

The RoadHaus employs between 35 and 40 part- and full-time staff. While the pandemic certainly impacted business, Eckblad said the cold spring weather also hurt sales.

“We are in such a small community. Normally we get motorcycles and tourists coming down the scenic byways and just stopping in. But we’ve only had a few sunny days,” Eckblad said. “And now I’d say gas prices are affecting tourism and the number of people who stop by. Our business thrives when people get out in their cars and on their bikes and just cruise on in.”

Even when the sun isn’t shining, Eckblad lures customers in with daily specials and extended hours that keep them coming back for more. With its hometown vibe, rich tradition and signature recipes, the RoadHaus has cooked up the perfect combination to keep thriving, no matter what Mother Nature throws its way.

Henderson RoadHaus Pub and Eatery 514 Main St. Phone: (507) 248-3691 Facebook: @hendersonroadhaus

NORTH MANKATO The Beast Food Boutique

The Beast Food Boutique offers a unique and eclectic shopping experience, selling products that range from best-selling chicken tenders and wings to grab-and-go charcuterie to Minnesota sweatshirts to yard games all in one place.

“I call it a food boutique because you can get amazing gourmet and restaurant-quality items as well as shop, now, over 100 local and Minnesota-made products,” owner Jeni Bobholz said.

The Beast started when Bobholz decided to make the best out of a difficult situation. It was 2020 and Bobholz’s other business, the Circle Inn bar in North Mankato, was forced to closed due to the pandemic. She was looking for new ways to generate revenue when Sysco Foods approached her.

“They asked if I wanted to try to sell restaurant-quality frozen food to our customers,” Bobholz said. “We started advertising the food and it just took off! I had to buy seven total large freezers just to keep up with the demand.”

The way The Beast took and delivered orders was unique, even for the pandemic.

“We took orders through Facebook … all the orders were picked up outside under a tent,” Bobholz said. “We also did vendor shows to showcase more local products, and my daughter and her friend did ice cream treat sales to raise money for local charities. It then moved into the back room of the Circle.”

Once restrictions were lifted, demand for The Beast’s products was still there, but so was the need for space at Circle Inn. Bobholz started to search for a new space. It needed to be near the Circle Inn, at street level, with parking and plenty of space to grow.

“We found the perfect spot on Belgrade Avenue, right down the street from the Circle,” Bobholz said. “The name The Beast came from the fact that it truly became a beast and took over the bar and my life for a bit.”

The Beast opened in its new space in December 2021. Its unique business model, passionate staff and quality products will carry it forward through the peaks and valleys of the pandemic and beyond.

The Beast Food Boutique 422 Belgrade Ave. Phone: (507) 720-0066 Web: thebeastfoods.com Facebook: @thebeastfoodboutique

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WINNEBAGO Hamm It Up

Stevan Miner became fascinated with Hamm’s Beer back in the 1970s. It was quite by accident that his hobby turned into a popular business called Hamm It Up, located in Winnebago.

Miner started collecting beer cans as a young kid, with a collection of around 4,000 cans. Combine that with his love for baseball, and soon a passion for collecting all things Hamm’s and all things Twins ensued.

“Hamm’s also sponsored the Minnesota Twins, and I remember the commercials with the beer and the iconic bear,” Miner said.

Miner’s collection has grown exponentially over the years. With limited space, he decided to narrow his collection to just Hamm’s Beer. With a background in automotive mechanics, he soon learned he could fix all things related to his collection, including the iconic Hamm’s Beer sign.

“I started with making the beer signs for myself, and then people asked if I could fix theirs and soon a little business blossomed,” Miner said.

Aptly named Hamm It Up, Miner’s business focuses on selling and repairing Hamm’s signs. He repairs five to 10 signs a week, fixing thousands over the years. It’s work he truly enjoys.

The love of Hamm’s also led Miner to his latest adventure: selling Hamm’s signs and using his contacts to help fans locate Hamm’s collectibles. He attends trade shows and other events to ensure he doesn’t miss anything Hamm’s.

“It isn’t your conventional style business, yet it is a ton of fun,” Miner said. “One of my favorite sayings is, ‘People tend to collect things they grew up with.’ The nostalgia right now is just so big. Even the younger generation is regenerating the love of Hamm’s. When people ask me, ‘Why Hamm’s?’ I say, ‘Why, it’s beautiful in Minnesota with the sky-tinted waters and the iconic bear.’ It really is special.”

Miner says he is available seven days a week and that people can stop by the shop anytime.

Hamm It Up 27 Main St. S. Phone: (507) 525-2858 Web: ibuyoldbeer.com