As new owners Billy and Susan Ayers plan dinners at the Pine Cove, Joyce Price looks forward to her first Mothers Day off in 36 years.
Price and her husband, Ken, are retiring from the business after owning it for 28 years. Before they owned it, they both worked at the restaurant. Joyce waitressed for eight years, and Ken washed dishes, cooked and bartended for about five years.
The Prices served their last meal for the public on Easter Sunday. They also had an employee time to remember party with nearly 100 people attending on Monday. Of those people, more than half were present and former employees. Friends and family also attended.
The Prices say they will miss the people, but they also look forward to retirement.
Pine Cove Inn restaurant and lounge, a few miles north of Wadena on Highway 71, is closed until Tuesday for inventory, cleaning and remodeling.
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When it reopens, Billy and Susan Ayers, of New York Mills will assume ownership of the business. They look forward to crossing one more goal off their list.
Dreams sort of come true, Susan Ayers said.
She had the dream of owning a farm, horses and her own business. Now she has accomplished all three.
Susan Ayers looks forward to advancing in her career. She and her husband found out about the restaurant being for sale almost by accident. On their way home from a food show, they decided to stop in at the Pine Cove to have a beer. While there, they asked Ken Price if the establishment was for sale. It was.
To the Pine Cove, Susan Ayers brings 25 years of restaurant experience, almost as many years as the Prices have owning the business. She has worked many restaurant jobs including hostess, cook, waitress and management.
Ive tried to get out and I cant, she said.
Her husband is retired from the military. He brings with him five years experience working in restaurants. His restaurant jobs include bartender, cook and dishwasher.
The Ayers children, ages 19, 18, 15 and 13, will also help in the restaurant.
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Many things at the Pine Cove Inn will stay the same under the Ayers ownership, but the new owners are open to suggestions. The menu will have a few changes, but not many. The prices will stay about the same.
One new thing the Ayerses plan to add are liberal arts opportunities for high school piano students. The students could play piano recitals and gain experience playing in front of people, Susan Ayers said.
They also have to have a veterans night with deals on tap beer and sandwiches.
As they begin their ownership, they welcome kids and people of all ages.
Its a family restaurant, Susan Ayers said.
They will also cook meals for special functions and are willing to book business lunches.
Monday through Saturday, the Pine Cove Inn is open from 3 to 10 p.m. with the lounge sometimes open later. The business is closed Sundays. Its phone number is (218) 631-2581.
