Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Hanson.
Hi Karen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 2001, my husband, Bob, and I decided to purchase a well-established family-owned restaurant in South St. Paul called The Coop. We were in the market for rental real estate and The Coop purchase included three apartments which met our criteria – the restaurant was a bonus! The Coop had been in business since 1963 and had a long list of faithful customers and a staff that we hoped would stick around. Our two teenage children, Joel and Chelsea, were in high school, and we counted on them, along with many of their friends, to work at the restaurant. It was a real learning experience for all of us.
I was working as a paralegal at the time and was very settled in my corporate job. I was a paralegal by day and a restaurant owner by night. After doing this for 10 years, I decided that 30 years in the corporate life was enough. My heart was in the restaurant, and I was finally ready to get 100% involved in the restaurant AND in the community. I was born and raised in South St. Paul, and it was my pleasure to do so.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to owning a restaurant is never smooth. There are always bumps. The initial group of faithful employees eventually moved on to bigger and better things so we had to learn fast. There is always the occasional equipment failure; a broken exhaust fan, refrigeration problems, a broken this or that. If something isn’t broken at The Coop, then there must be a problem in one of the apartments. Being a landlady is a whole different story.
The biggest bump in the road – the pandemic. It tested all of us to the max. I learned how to drill holes in plexiglass, how to deal with customers and employees that were afraid to be working in a crowded restaurant and how to score hand sanitizer before it disappeared from Walmart’s shelves. My paralegal experience came in handy during this time. There were many rules, regulations, forms, grants, loans, etc. Our employees really stepped up and kept us going strong. We owe everything to our employees and to our customers who kept us in business.
Even with all the bumps in the road, I wouldn’t trade owning the restaurant for anything. One of my greatest joys is getting to work with my son almost every day. I drive him crazy, I’m sure. I am always coming up with a new idea or pounding another hole in the wall. He is the reason the place is still running. Joel met his wife, Kristyna, at The Coop. That was over 15 years ago.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The Coop started in 1963 and is one of the oldest restaurants in the area specializing in chicken, burgers, coneys, barbecue ribs and various appetizers. The Coop holds a lot of memories for a lot of people. We have survived for over 60 years, employed hundreds of high school students, catered many weddings, birthdays and family events. We are family owned and operated.
Every day a customer walks in the door and shares a memory of the town or the restaurant. Someone remembers buying popsicles when it was a grocery store. Another person remembers the old bell on the door or the time there was a break-in. Everyone remembers the heavy red door that would slam you in the back when you walked in the door. The restaurant is decorated with over 100 chickens, inside and out, and displays memorabilia from old South St. Paul.
Because of our loyal customers, we have survived. I love visiting with customers and try to brighten their day. I love getting to know the employees, volunteering in the community and keeping up with social media. I feel honored to be the face of The Coop and enjoy giving back to the community as much as possible. I take pride in the appearance of the restaurant and try to brighten up the inside as well as the outside.
What am I most proud of? Without a doubt, it’s when I hear compliments about our great employees and the service they provide. A second is hearing that our customers loved their food. Above all, I’m proud that our son, Joel, has continued to help keep The Coop running. I’m looking forward to the day when my grandkids can start working.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We love the support of the community. A special thank you to South St. Paul! Please continue to support us by remembering us for your next company picnic or family reunion. Keep supporting us by walking in the door! We love SSP.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://coopssp.hrpos.heartland.us/menu
