Today we’d like to introduce you to Zach Sussman.
Hi zach, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2005, I held marketing roles with International Dairy Queen and Lifetime Fitness before spending 10 years as the VP of Marketing for Kaskaid Hospitality. After leaving Kaskaid Hospitality in 2017, I Co-Founded Brick x Mortar, a members-only social club and shared workspace, and become a Partner at Imprint Engine. I exited Imprint Engine in 2023, and formed Good Times Hospitality, which now owns Woods Retreat event center in Orono, and Asher’s Bar & Grill (anticipated spring 2026 opening, formerly Chilango), and operates Brick x Mortar in Downtown Minneapolis.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
While my career path wasn’t entirely traditional or linear, each experience provided me valuable learning opportunities which I was able to build upon to create a career and a company that I love. There were definitely challenges along the way, particularly during my tenure with Kaskaid, where I learned what it takes to scale a business from 2 restaurant locations and a handful employees to a multi-faceted organization with a national footprint and a diversity of business interests. It was at Kaskaid where I learned to make big pivots when things didn’t work out as planned, which is a skill that served me well as a partner at Imprint Engine when the Covid pandemic hit and threw the world, and our business, into a tailspin.
We’ve been impressed with Good Times Hospitality, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Good Times Hospitality represents a unique group of hospitality businesses that all compliment each other seamlessly. Our passion is providing memorable experiences and real human connection in a world where those interactions are increasingly disappearing at an alarming rate due to the rise of social media and AI.
The restaurant business is notoriously difficult to navigate, with slim margins, constantly increasings costs, and a variety of other uncontrollable factors that impact the business. As such, we decided to diversify Good Times Hospitality to include an event center, the Woods Retreat in Orono, and Brick x Mortar, which is a members-only social club, shared workspace, and event venue. Having the event spaces allows us to drive catering business for the restaurant, and between the three properties we’re able to offer venue options from the West Metro to Downtown Minneapolis, making us a one-stop-shop for our client’s event, catering, and private dining needs.
We opened Chilango at the Beach Club Residences in 2024, and closed the doors in the fall of 2025 in order to renovate and rebrand to a more casual neighborhood sports bar concept, Asher’s Bar & Grill, which will open in Spring of 2026.
We purchased the Woods Retreat in summer of 2024 and renovated the property top-to-bottom, turning the historical property into a fabulous wedding venue with stunning indoor and outdoor spaces, onsite parking, amphitheater overlooking a private pond with a fountain and waterfall, and a guest cottage we converted to gorgeous dressing suites with overnight capabilities.
Brick x Mortar is Downtown Minneapolis is housed in a brownstone on the historical register with a stunning rooftop patio. Our members use the space for a variety of purposes from workspace, to hosting client meetings in our board room, to entertaining guests before Twins and Timberwolves game. Our community is comprised of a diverse group of the community, from young professionals to business owners and has become the “third place” for many of our members. The club is also rented out for weddings, corporate events, holiday parties, and more.
How do you think about happiness?
Creating spaces and experiences that lead to lasting relationships and cherished memories for people. I take great joy in knowing the spaces I’ve created have led to marriages, hosted weddings, were the impetus for meaningful business relationships, and have given people memories they will cherish for the rest of their lives.
Pricing:
- Woods Retreat Rental Rates: $5k-$7k (Nov-April) and $7k-$14k (May-October)
- Brick x Mortar Rental Rates: $3k-$5k (Nov-April) and $5k-$7,500 (May-October)
- Brick x Mortar Membership: $1,500 initiation fee and $350/month
- Asher’s Bar & Grill Private Dining: minimums starting at $1,500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://woodsretreatmn.com
- Instagram: woodsretreatmn
- Other: brxmo.com
