50’s Grill Celebrates 40th Anniversary
A retro restaurant in Brooklyn Center is celebrating a significant milestone — the 50’s Grill is turning 40.
Many things have changed in Brooklyn Center over the last 40 years. But one thing’s stayed the same, and that’s The 50’s Grill.
The business was opened on Brooklyn Boulevard back in July of 1985. It is still there and it’s a step back in time, decorated in 50’s memorabilia. Vintage advertisements, posters, and even a jukebox set the scene.
“They don’t make things like that anymore that have that kind of life, that’s for sure,” said owner Jack Schubert, gesturing to the jukebox.
Jack and his wife, Lynn Schubert, opened the business together. It serves scratch-made comfort food like chicken pot pie and hamburgers with homemade buns. Jack said they both grew up in the 50’s, so it was an aesthetic they both gravitated towards. In the 2020s, it’s even more of a throwback.
“It gives them a chance to learn more about the 50’s,” Schubert said.
50’s Grill owner Jack Schubert gives a tour of the restaurant. Its decorated with 50’s artwork, photographs and neon lights.
People First
After 40 years in business, Schubert said there’s a simple recipe for success in the business: employees first, customers second and profits third. That’s worked for them.
“When my wife and I started, we knew we couldn’t do it ourselves. We knew it would be up to the employees,” Schubert said. “That’s really why we’ve prospered over the years.”
Many of Schubert’s employees are loyal and have been there nearly since the start. Waitress Chriss McLaughlin is one of them. She started three months after the restaurant opened.
“It’s awesome that we’ve made it this long,” McLaughlin said.
She said the Schuberts’ support, along with the customers, keep her coming back to work every day. Its worked well for her schedule as a working mom, and now as a grandmother.
She said relationships with customers — especially those regulars — make it special. She thinks they see it, too.
“When the world is changing so much, this is a little piece of something that kind of stays the same,” McLaughlin said.
Setup is underway before the 50’s Grill opens on Monday morning.
‘A Fun Place’
Many of McLaughlin’s coworkers have been there as long as she has. Rebecca Hemann is an exception, though. She’s the assistant general manager, and has been for two years. She came from a bigger restaurant chain, and said this is a nice change of pace.
“There is such a high turnover in most restaurants, that when I heard it I thought, ‘they keep people around?'”
Even during the COVID pandemic, the 50’s Grill made it through. Schubert said he has his people to thank.
“My wife had always wanted a place. For it to be a fun place, where people could come and take a deep breath, and relax away from the rush of the world,” Schubert reflected.
It seems now that that’s exactly what it’s been, even 40 years later.
The 50’s Grill has stood in the same location for 40 years.
