Our Place on Main, a Minnesota Lake restaurant that opened its doors in May, received the Faribault County EDA Business Spotlight of the Month Award in August. Pictured above, from left to right, are EDA Specialist Amber Patten, Co-Owner Marion Roessler, Co-Owner Laura Sonnek and EDA Specialist Celia Simpson.

The Faribault County Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in Minnesota Lake on August 20 and received some good news while reviewing financial reports.

“As I believe we have already discussed, Heartland Retreat and Rental Hall has repaid its loan,” EDA specialist Celia Simpson informed the Board of Directors of this. “And the loan from Fly Away Agri Products is due to be repaid early next year.”

Simpson also said there had been interest in purchasing the property at Miller’s Corner.

“The party is based in Bricelyn and is interested in converting the building back into an auto repair shop,” said Simpson. “Our staff would like to receive approval to negotiate a possible purchase price with the interested party. The negotiated price would then be presented to the board for review and approval.”

Simpson was asked when the potential new owner might take over the property.

“If the sale goes through, the party cannot take ownership of the property until after the expiry of the redemption period,” Simpson replied. “That would be later this year.”

The Board voted to authorize employees to negotiate with the interested party.

Simpson then discussed the 2024 Faribault County Job Fair with the board.

“We had nine participating companies and two food trucks, Schmoes Inc. and Rolling Cones, who participated as food truck vendors,” said Simpson. “During the three-and-a-half hour event, 16 participants were present, most of whom came from local employment agencies and were not job seekers.”

Simpson concluded her report on the job fair by noting that low turnout led employees to work on finding more effective ways to connect companies with potential employees.

EDA Specialist Amber Patten reported that the Faribault/Martin Counties Tour of Manufacturers is scheduled for October 16.

“Nine companies are participating,” Patten commented. “We have agreed with Southwest Tour and Travel to organize transportation to any location.”

Patten reminded the board that October is national manufacturing month.

“The South Central Minnesota Tour of Manufacturing comes at a cost and mostly stays in the Mankato area, so we don’t get the attention we want,” said Patten. “That’s why we put together the tour for Faribault and Martin Counties.”

Our Place on Main, a restaurant in Minnesota Lake, was awarded the Business Spotlight Award in August 2024.

“We opened at the end of May,” said co-owner Laura Sonnek. “We also run Little Town Treasures, a craft store located right next to the restaurant.”

Sonnek and her sister Marion Roessler purchased the adjacent buildings from the city of Minnesota Lake.

“We did most of the work ourselves and it took about three years to complete the restaurant,” explained Sonnek. “We did about 90 percent of the work ourselves.”

“I am a trained plumber,” added Rössler. “We had to get someone to come in and do some of the electrical work.”

The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“On Saturday and Sunday we are open for breakfast from 8am to 12pm,” said Sonnek. “Every second Thursday we have a Chinese specialty dish.”

When asked if there was a particular dish they were known for, Sonnek replied: “Our Bologna burgers are very popular and our spring rolls are also a big hit in the restaurant.”