E18: E4: Unfiltered Confessions of a Small-Town Restaurant Owner
Mon Feb 02 2026
I'm now going on five years of owning a restaurant in one of the smallest towns in Wyoming.
It’s one of the most gratifying things I’ve ever done. It’s also one of the most exhausting.
I’m proud of what we’re building in our little corner of Wyoming. I’m proud of the food. I’m proud of the place. I’m proud that people walk in and feel nostalgia, comfort, a sense of belonging… a remembering.
But in this podcast episode, I’m going to say the parts I usually don’t say out loud because, well… I feel like it. And some of it just needs to be said.
Podcast Episode Highlights:
Backstory of our small-town restaurant Confession #1: The Locals Are Our Lifeblood (And Also… a Lot)Confession #2: I Wish We Could Rate CustomersConfession #3: We’re Not Trying to Make Your Life Hard with Our Limited HoursConfession #4: Staffing Is… ComplicatedConfession #5: I’m Not Getting Rich Off ThisConfession #6: We Care a Lot About What We Serve You Final thoughts...Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:
Find my Old-Fashioned on Purpose planner here: https://www.prairieplanner.com/
Sign up for my Substack here: https://jillwinger.substack.com/
Learn more about Chugwater Soda Fountain here: https://www.chugwatersodafountain.com/
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD:
Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application
Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!
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I'm now going on five years of owning a restaurant in one of the smallest towns in Wyoming. It’s one of the most gratifying things I’ve ever done. It’s also one of the most exhausting. I’m proud of what we’re building in our little corner of Wyoming. I’m proud of the food. I’m proud of the place. I’m proud that people walk in and feel nostalgia, comfort, a sense of belonging… a remembering. But in this podcast episode, I’m going to say the parts I usually don’t say out loud because, well… I feel like it. And some of it just needs to be said. Podcast Episode Highlights: Backstory of our small-town restaurant Confession #1: The Locals Are Our Lifeblood (And Also… a Lot)Confession #2: I Wish We Could Rate CustomersConfession #3: We’re Not Trying to Make Your Life Hard with Our Limited HoursConfession #4: Staffing Is… ComplicatedConfession #5: I’m Not Getting Rich Off ThisConfession #6: We Care a Lot About What We Serve You Final thoughts...Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode: Find my Old-Fashioned on Purpose planner here: https://www.prairieplanner.com/ Sign up for my Substack here: https://jillwinger.substack.com/ Learn more about Chugwater Soda Fountain here: https://www.chugwatersodafountain.com/ OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!