Let’s Eat

By Dana Melius

Gathering in downtown Henderson for classic car roll-ins is a city tradition. If you visit, start your evening at the RoadHaus restaurant.

Photos by Dana Melius

Darrell and Jessica Eckblad have operated a trucking business in Henderson for over 20 years. But when the opportunity arose to purchase the Henderson RoadHaus restaurant, the couple didn’t hesitate.

Why?

“Basically, it was the right place at the right time,” Darrell Eckblad said. “I don’t like to have a lot of free time on my hands. I’d be so bored if I didn’t have the restaurant.”

But there had to be more, right? The bar-restaurant business is tough, often with thin margins and labor struggles. And their trucking business had expanded into Florida, where the Eckblads reside for several months of the year due to Darrell’s health battles.

Digging deeper, Eckblad saw “a very thriving business” and an opportunity to help a community that has grown into a major smalltown tourist attraction through a busy summer schedule in the scenic Minnesota River Valley.

“And I also bought the RoadHaus because I care about the town,” he said.

Still, he got a good taste of the restaurant business earlier in life that provided some confidence to purchase the RoadHaus, which includes two historic downtown buildings and the adjacent Henderson Event Center.

“I’ve been taking risks my whole life,” Eckblad said.

Henderson’s historic downtown draws thousands every summer to this eastern Sibley County community, as the Classic Car Roll-Ins have become a mustsee attraction for motorcyclists and vintage vehicle enthusiasts. Henderson’s proximity to the Twin

Cities doesn’t hurt, nor does the growing Kerfoot Canopy Tour zipline business down the road on Sibley County Road 6, labeled the Scenic Byway.

The Roll-Ins’ continued growth spells plenty of opportunity for any downtown Henderson business. But for a restaurant in a town of just 900 people, that increased summer traffic means business. Big business. And it sure doesn’t hurt that the casual, people-watching, laissez-faire attitude of frolic and libations is welcomed on the streets of Henderson.

Eckblad also credits town officials and a dedicated citizen volunteer effort for the success of the Roll-Ins.

“The town allows it, is the best way to put it,” he said, as volunteers help steer cars and motorcycles to dedicated parking spots, control traffic downtown, and keep a lid on mischief on the sidewalks and streets.

Jeff Steinborn, owner of Evolution Shirts on Main Street and an active Henderson Chamber member and Roll-In volunteer, said the RoadHaus plays a critical role during the community’s busy summer schedule.

“The RoadHaus is the hub that binds Henderson’s Main Street,” Steinborn said. “Many organizations use the Event Center for gatherings, meetings or fundraisers. With its food and drink specials, the RoadHaus is a popular hangout during the Henderson Class Car Roll-In.”

Eckblad turned to eight-year RoadHaus employee Ang Youngren to take over the daily management side of the business. Youngren, just 23, was at first skeptical about change, all the while having worked through the pandemic and reopening. But she’s seen Eckblad’s passion and looks forward to this summer after having worked through two previous shutdowns.

“I’m actually really excited about it,” Youngren said. “We’ve been working a lot (through the changes). Now, we’re gonna be put to the test. I’ll be excited to have all the bikes and people back.”

For Youngren, it’s the best of both worlds. She gets to see the regulars who make it a habit of hitting Henderson’s Roll-Ins but also to “see some new faces.”

Youngren doesn’t expect huge changes to the RoadHaus’ summer offering but does hope to reopen the restaurant’s patio business, which was not offered last year. And she appreciates the community volunteers who keep the Classic Car Roll-Ins so successful.

“We’re so fortunate here,” Youngren said. “The Roll-In committee does a great job.”

Eckblad admits that change can be difficult for a staff and notes his style is much different than past ownership and management. He’s staying out of the kitchen and daily operations, still dedicating time to his trucking business.

“When you change from one owner to another, there’s always changes,” he acknowledged. And while he loves to come up with ideas, specials and events like the RoadHaus’ growing trivia nights, he’s handing over the daily reins to Youngren.

“I’ve known Angela her whole life,” Eckblad said. And while the universal labor shortage hits the restaurant industry particularly hard, he and Youngren are gearing up for the busy summer schedule.

“It (the labor shortage) is tough,” he said. “You have to have people who want to work for you. Trucking is no different.”

Eckblad said an owner must create a comfortable work environment and be ready to pay good employees.

“It’s a cool place,” Youngren said. “There’s a lot of heart here. The people that we have here are like no other. They take a lot of pride at what they’re doing here.”