By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
Last week The Willows in New Richland was sold to John and Julie Arnold of New Richland.
The previous owners, Travis and Heather Blake, made the announcement via Facebook.
“Today we close a very big chapter,” the Blakes said in the announcement. “This is a bittersweet day as our life has fully revolved around the restaurant for the last 18 years. We can’t thank you enough for your continued support over the years. This town, this community is like no other.”
Eighteen years ago the Willows, located at 100 Minnesota Highway 13 in New Richland, came into existence under the Blake family, with Travis and his wife Heather running it together for the past 15 years. The couple officially purchased the business from Travis’s dad Jim in 2016.
The Blakes shared emotional memories from their nearly two decades at the Willows, highlighting their being “the hub” for after parties during the NRHEG Girls State Championships runs in 2013 and ‘14; along with great “Friday Nights” and an overall sense of family with the community and their incredible employees.
Travis Blake will continue working at the Willows through March, after which he intends to go full-time with his food truck and catering business, “Blake’s BETtor Spread.”
“If the year has taught us anything, it’s that life is too short, and as the years go on, you can’t get moments back, so do what you love to do,” their announcement read. “Here’s to more time with family, a little less stress, Friday nights, and doing what we love.”
The Willow’s hours are currently listed as Tuesdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
More information on the new owners to come at a future date.
The entire post from the Blake’s Facebook page follows:
“Today we close a very BIG chapter.
We have sold the Willows (locally).
This is a bittersweet day as our life has fully revolved around the restaurant for the last (18 years for Trav and 15 for us as a couple).
To our customers,
We can’t thank you enough for your continued support over the years. This town, this community is like no other. The dedication, the commitment and the ongoing support has always been top notch. This community rallies through the ups and downs, supporting one another for special events, activities, benefits and more. We have had countless class reunions of all ages, birthdays, bridal and baby showers, Christmas parties. We even celebrated an engagement!
Of course, our absolute favorite days were during State Basketball. The Willows was the hub for the pasta parties and of course the after parties! Those were the years that our customers turned into family. Those days brought this community close together and we will forever cherish those memories. There was a time where we had more Panther clothing then Bluejay clothing!
To the “Monday Nighters,” some are no longer with us, THANK YOU, for the memories. You hosted a baby shower for Tenley, supported us through transitions and remained in contact even after we closed on Mondays. Some of New Richland’s greatest people were amongst this group!
To our employees,
Throughout the years, we have had some of the best employees! We wouldn’t be where we are today without you, we can’t thank you all enough. Even you that worked many, many years ago!
Finally, we want to thank our friends and family for supporting us. They are usually the ones that we would “put to work” when it was busy, having them do dishes, clean off tables or cook. Thank you for helping with Tenley when we both needed to be at the Willows.
As most of you know, we purchased a food truck a couple of years ago and for you all wondering “What’s Trav going to do?” He will continue to work at the Willows until March and then go full-time with the food truck and catering. If the year has taught us anything, it’s that life is too short, and as the years go on, you can’t get moments back, so do what you love to do and SIMPLIFY. Here’s to more time with family, a little less stress, FRIDAY NIGHTS, and doing what we love!”