Faribault County EDA chairman John Herman, left, and EDA specialist Kendra Reineking, far right, present the EDA Business Spotlight Award for November to Trish and Brian Holst, who own and operate Kathy’s Kitchen in Elmore. The restaurant is open every day except Tuesday from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Faribault County Economic Development Authority met on Tuesday, Nov. 19, and learned they had taken over ownership of the Miller’s Corner property effective Nov. 7.

Members of the EDA staff informed the board they had taken action to have the locks changed, which cost $550.

“We have also been in contact with the city of Bricelyn so we could take appropriate action on past due bills, taxes and snow removal costs which combined totals just over $4,000,” EDA specialist Celia Simpson told the board. “We are also looking for direction on whether or not to heat the building.”

Board members agreed there was no sense in heating the facility at this time because it would just be an unnecessary cost.

The board learned that the water to the building had already been shut off and directed staff to contact the city of Bricelyn to see if the water lines had been blown or if a private plumber would need to be contacted to provide that service.

Next, the topic of insuring the property came up for discussion.

“We learned that we cannot insure it through the county’s liability and property insurance because the EDA is considered a separate statutory entity,” EDA specialist Amber Patten stated. “We will pursue getting insurance quotes and it may be necessary to call a special meeting to vote on approving who to have insure the property.”

Next, Patten told board members that Little Giants director, Lynn Anderson, had contacted the EDA wondering if a grant was still available to cover the cost of two teachers who are working on getting their final childcare certification. The cost of the certification for the two employees is $850.

“We have $20,000 left in the Childcare Grant Fund,” Simpson informed the board.

“I think anything we can do to help with childcare in this county is something we should do,” board chairman John Herman commented. “I would be in favor of providing the grant to cover the cost of the certification process.”

The board agreed and voted to approve the grant request.

The November Business Spotlight Award was given to Kathy’s Kitchen, of Elmore, which is where the EDA meeting was held.

Trish Holst, and her husband Brian, operate the eating establishment.

“I still work for Pepsi out of Fairmont,” Brian said. “I help out when I can.”

Trish took over the establishment from her mother in 2017.

“My mom had worked in the kitchen at YSI and before that she worked at Guenther’s Foods here in town,” Trish said. “The cafe had been owned by YSI and managed by Cinda Hagedorn and was known as the Wildcat Cafe. Cinda purchased the cafe from YSI early in 2014.”

By the time she took over ownership of the cafe, Trish already had 33 years of experience in the restaurant business.

“I managed Hardees in Blue Earth for 16 and a half years and went to Dairy Queen and was the manager there for 16 and a half years,” Trish explains. “I renamed the cafe to Kathy’s Kitchen after my mom.”

The cafe is open every day except Tuesday. The hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Sunday is our busiest day,” Trish said. “I have two nieces who love to help out on the weekends.”

Before it was a cafe, the building was once home to the town’s newspaper, the Elmore Eye. Later, it was the location of the town’s senior center.

“I was hesitant to take over the cafe at first,” Trish shared. “But the support of the area has been great. Community members raised $10,000 so I could buy a new grill and put a new roof on the building. That is pretty amazing.”

The meals vary. For instance, the special for the upcoming Sunday was chicken cordon bleu.

“The favorite of the customers is probably the hamburger I make with everything I put on it,” Trish notes. “And, the beef commercial is always a popular meal when that is on the menu.”

In other business, the board:

• Voted to approve the proposed contract with CEDA (Community and Economic Development Associates) for the upcoming year at a cost of $88,869, which represents a five percent increase compared to the current year.

• Approved the meeting schedule for the 2025 calendar year.