Business: Rosie’s Home Cookin’
Address: 1567 N. Aurora Road, Naperville
Phone/website: 630-453-5113, www.rosieshomecookin.com
Owner: Lynn Lowder, 76, of Naperville
Time in business? Seven weeks
What does your business do? “We’re a breakfast and lunch restaurant. We’re open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday,” Lowder said.
Why did you start this business? “I’ve always wanted to own a restaurant. … I’m still walking around. Going to be dead a long time. So, do it. Try it. And here I am. … I have three partners who are experienced restaurant people, Leslie Noelle, Dale Eisenberg and Mike Ventre. They’ve been in the restaurant business for decades.”
More Top Picks Navee Gt3 Pro
Why a restaurant? “I’m a downstate guy, a hometown guy. Always will be a small-town guy. There used to be diners where people could come, meet other people in the community. You’d have a good meal in a warm, friendly environment,” said Lowder, who grew up in downstate Sullivan. … “People say, ‘Why are you doing this?’ Well, why not?”
What did you do before this? “I was in the Marine Corps for 15 years. I served in special ops in Vietnam. … I played football at Northern (Illinois University) for three years. … I met Sandy, my wife of 54 years, in college. She was a cheerleader. … Vietnam was heating up. I had a college deferment. My friends were there. I couldn’t live with that so I enlisted. I always wanted to be a Marine. … I (later) got an undergraduate degree at Illinois, law degree at DePaul, was a trial lawyer downtown, general counsel for a couple big companies. … Now I’m doing this and I haven’t been this happy — maybe ever in my life — since coming back from Vietnam in late 1969.”
What was Vietnam like? “Long periods of boredom punctuated by short periods of stark terror. … I was wounded. Got the Purple Heart.”
Do you miss practicing law? “No. … I was a personal injury defense lawyer. I defended doctors, veterinarians, corporations too. It’s adversarial.”
Why name this Rosie’s Home Cookin’? “Rosie the Riveter. World War II would have been a lot different without her.”
How’s the restaurant doing? “Good. This is all word of mouth because we’re still in the soft opening phase. We may do the grand opening in about a month. The hardest thing is finding help. You see ‘help wanted’ signs everywhere.”
Any favorite stories? “See those two young ladies? They’re from Ukraine. A woman came in here with them a few weeks ago. I hired them on the spot. They are amazing. If I’m mopping the floor, I don’t have to look up. I know they’ll be mopping too. They’re terrific. Hard workers.”
What do you most enjoy? “I try to meet every person who comes through the door. Just like downhome. … I want to have an old-fashioned ’50s, ’60s diner. … I have met so many nice people. I’m happy to see them. Hopefully, they’re happy to see me.”
What’s your business philosophy? “When they come through here, I want them to feel comfortable, welcome. Give them good food and great service. … It comes from the Golden Rule. … If the people who come in here are having a bad day, at least when they come here, they’re going to be at peace and be treated well. … This makes it better for them.”
Why have the Missing Man Table? “It has to do with the service and sacrifice of those that have fought for us and never came home. We want to honor the memory. … Freedom is not free.”
Do you work long hours? “I get up at 5. I’m here at 6. I work till closing at 2, and stick around another couple hours to clean things up, make sure things are ready to roll the next day.”
Why have Norman Rockwell artwork on the walls? “It was Sandy’s idea. … She’s an art teacher. She said there’s a message in every one of Rockwell’s paintings. … She said we need to have fresh flower in here (on each table). She’s right again.”
Do veterans get a deal? “Yes. Senior discount. Veterans discount.”
What challenges do you face? “Remembering names. I’ve got faces down pretty good. … That, and getting the word out about the restaurant.”
What’s your advice for someone starting a business? “Study the business as much as you can. And be sure to talk to the old hands that have been in this thing a while.”
If you know of a business you’d like to see to profiled in Down to Business, contact Steve Metsch at [email protected].
Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
