Posted: 6/6/07
TemptationS On Mainí is a new dining experience in Spring Grove
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
"The ad said, ëjust unlock the doors, and youíre open for business.í We were looking for a new business venture, so we bought the building in November, starting working on remodeling the interior the day after Christmas and opened April 22. The business had been closed for two years. It needed a lot of work. But we were able to pull it together, and have been very pleased with the support we have received."
Thatís the way Terry Sullivan, co-owner of TemptationS On Main in Spring Grove explained how he and Sharron Nickerson got into the restaurant and bakery business. Sullivan, of La Crosse, and Nickerson, of Caledonia, opened the restaurant and bakery, located at 131 West Main, six weeks ago. They have been pleasantly surprised at the business TemptationS has drawn.
"We originally thought weíd be ready by Valentineís Day, but there was just too much to do," Nickerson noted. Both Nickerson and Sullivan have day jobs. Nickerson works for ABLE Inc. in Caledonia and Sullivan works at Trane in La Crosse. The empty restaurant on Main Street was part of a package deal. A house in Spring Grove was also included. Nickerson and Sullivan spent November and December refurbishing the house. Once that project was completed, they focused their energies on the Main Street building.
The countless hours of blood, sweat, and tears, transformed the old cafe into a very attractive restaurant. The century-old tin ceiling was repaired and painted, the old booths and fixtures torn out, and antique etched-glass dividers and booths acquired in La Crosse, now give TemptationS a late 1800ís look.
A photo collection of Spring Groveís past, adorns the walls, thanks to Spring Grove historian Don Elstad. A burgundy and white awning over the back bar area provides a cozy feel.
The menu at TemptationS doesnít include your regular "meat and potatoes" fare. Itís definitely not a burgers and fries joint, although they do offer sweet potato fries!
"There are other restaurants in town that offer good breakfasts, burgers and fries, and items like that," Nickerson said. "We donít want to compete with them. So we are offering entrees they donít."
TemptationS is open from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays, and from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sundays. They are closed Wednesdays.
For breakfast they offer bakery goods and juices and coffees. They have fresh bakery items daily, which include turnovers, muffins, buns, many kinds of breads, cakes, pies, cheesecakes. They also offer specialty cakes for all occasions.
"The bakery has been doing very well," Sullivan reported. "People are getting used to having fresh bakery items on a daily basis, and have been keeping our bakers busy with graduation and wedding cakes."
Lunch includes soups, sandwiches, a saladbar, and a hot noon special. "It might be beef tips and gravy over mashed potatoes one day, and lasagna the next," Nickerson said. "Weíre trying different noon specials. You never know what we might come up with," she added with a smile.
The evening dinner menu has a different theme each night. Monday is Hawaiian, Tuesday is Mexican, Thursday is pasta night, Friday is the fish fry, Saturday is prime rib, and Sunday is the brunch buffet. Drink specials correspond with the different themes.
Although TemptationS has a well-stocked bar, Sullivan is quick to point out, "weíre not a bar and grill. We felt it was necessary to offer alcoholic beverages to persons wanting to have a drink before or after their meal or a glass of wine with their dinner. We are smoke free and have received many compliments from people who like to dine out, have a drink with their meal, but donít want to smell smoke."
When asked where the name "TemptationS" came from Sullivan and Nickerson laughed.
"We worked for a long time, trying to come up with a name," Nickerson said. "I wanted to call it the Disgruntled Troll, because of the Norwegian background of Spring Grove. But the more we thought about it, the more we felt we were trying to tempt people with our bakery goods, so why not call it TemptationS? Weíve gotten teased by people, asking us if we were really starting up a brothel or something." And, in case you didnít notice, Sullivanís first name starts with an "T" and Nickersonís with an "S," hence the capital T and S in TemptationS.
TemptationS On Main will be holding a grand opening celebration June 9 - 15. Events will include in-house specials, a Norwegian recipe contest, medallion hunt, scavenger hunt, 2 for 1 drink specials, dessert sampling, and live entertainment.
"Weíd like to thank everyone for the great start to our business and hopefully have more people stop in and give us a try," Sullivan said. "We feel we have great food and the best possible service. We want people to feel well taken care of. Our staff will greet you at the door, and make your stay with us an enjoyable experience."
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com