Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Weigman.
Hi Chris, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
While working for a local tavern back in 2012, I saw a need for catering in the community, especially with the Cannon River Winery and their then-proposed new event center. After determining my current employer wasn’t interested in establishing a catering side of the business, my wife and I decided to start off on our own and established Cannon River Catering Company in June of 2012. The first year we came across a kitchen for rent at the old local truckstop, the legendary iconic landmark, The CannonBall. However, that kitchen came with a restaurant attached that the owner wanted us to operate. Thus our dba business was created, Nick’s Diner in February of 2013, and we were suddenly restaurant owners/operators as well as caterers. After a year at that location, getting our feet on the ground, we found an opportunity to move downtown into a beautifully renovated restaurant space, becoming Nick’s Downtown Diner, where we’ve been ever since.
Through hard work, long hours, amazingly committed employees and loyal customers, we have grown to become what we are today: a local caterer that does over 40 weddings each season and a local restaurant that serves the community and the tourists.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been easy, no. Starting the business, we were also pregnant so a new baby along with a new business gave for many sleepless nights. The early years of financial struggles trying to make ends meet, learning along the way how to structure a business and how to become profitable. Then, just as we felt we were moving forward in all the right ways, the pandemic COVID19 hit. And we were shut down. We got creative to keep the cash flow up by implementing Take & Bake meals and the community lifted us up in their support.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
SINCE 2012, Cannon River Catering Company has been a full service catering business located in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. Created out of our love for food and people. OUR GOAL IS THIS: Serve simple, wholesome and delicious food while treating you like family! Simply put, we believe in delivering honest, homemade food and great service to people who will enjoy it.
SINCE 2013, Nick’s Downtown Diner is a local family-owned and operated business. We are proud to be part of a community that is rich in history with cafes and diners from the days when things moved a little slower. Our goal is simply to remind our customers that places like that still exist. A cozy, hip hangout reminiscent of the diners and cafes from the past where the food was made with pride and the service was brought with a smile. Try our famous house Chili, the Fried Potato Salad, homemade Sausage Gravy, and homemade Pies to bring you back to a time when food tasted like home.
What does success mean to you?
To me, success in the business looks like a booked calendar and a busy restaurant, employees that show up because they want to come to work and enjoy it, and happy customers that return.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cannonrivercatering.com
- Instagram: cannonrivercatering
- Facebook: Nick’s Downtown Diner and Cannon River Catering Co, LLC
- Other: www.nicksdowntowndiner.com
