Living in a small town conjures images of friendly faces, safe streets and small town businesses that still know the meaning of customer service. Knowing your neighbors and the local business owners has always been a given for the residents of St. Peter; but can we also say the same for the students at Gustavus?

Businesses like Patrick’s, The Co-op, River Rock and El Agave have been utilized and visited by students on a daily basis, and have become almost dependent on the incoming revenue from the student population.

Although students provide a bridge between a cozy small town shop and  a thriving business, their relationship to the townspeople are less personal than one of a small town nature. Some students, frequent visitors to the town, strive to get to know the characters of St. Peter on a more personal level, but most don’t know much past the physical appearance.

There is more to gain from Mary’s than just a flower purchase on Valentine’s Day, and there’s more to gain from Patrick’s than a fun Saturday night. The places in St. Peter that make this town have such a great atmosphere are the places we should continue to support, but also try to connect with on a level that goes further than just a business transaction—a friendship.

For those students who grew  up in a city atmosphere, knowing the business owners and characters of the place you live in  is a strange concept. But we have to face the facts: we live in a small town and we support the local businesses with our revenue; but do we really know the people that depend so much on the college students for business? Let’s get to know some of the faces behind the businesses of St. Peter.

John from Patrick’s

One of the most student visited businesses in St. Peter, Patrick’s is known by students as a great place on campus to eat and have fun. Having a relationship with the college is one of the goals of the owner, John Mayer.

“I have lived in town all my life and believe that [Gustavus] has a good working relation with the city. Patrick’s however, has an ever improving relation with [Gustavus] because we have not always been a part of the [Gustavus] dynamic,” John said. Because of the fact that there are many students that inhabit Patrick’s on both weekdays and weekends, Patrick’s has a reputation of being strongly student based.

“Some older people from town avoid Patrick’s because they think we are crawling with college students from open to close,” John said. Established in 1988 as Reyam Inc., Patrick’s became a business that attracted people young and old.

 

Nate from Nate’s Barbershop

After the two former barbers in Saint Peter retired, St. Peter resident Nate Paschke decided to open up his own barbershop in 2007, occupying the small but quaint basement below Erbert and Gerbert’s in St. Peter. Focusing around the theme of a vintage 1950’s barbershop, Nate hopes to provide an atmosphere welcoming to both students and long time residents of St. Peter.

“Students come knowing nothing about the town; they run to Mankato for things like chiropractic care, car repair and haircuts when in reality they can come to places in town that they may not have heard of,” Nate said. One of the things that Nate hopes to achieve in the future is expanding his business. When he started five years ago, he was the only barber in the shop, having to maintain and work the business by himself. As time progressed and the college has become more aware of places like Nate’s Barbershop, he has added two new staff members.

“I love having students come into the shop. One thing I want to do more of is create personal relationships with students. Here we provide the best customer experience and actual friendship; old school in style and theory,” Nate said.

 

Mary from Mary’s Flowers

Formed the year after the tornado of 1998, Mary’s Flowers started out providing flowers to 200 convenience stores. After hiring helpers and student workers, Mary LaDale Smith was able to expand her shop into an equally profitable and rewarding

business. Working close with students during busy times of the year, she has high respect for their work ethics.

“Students at Gustavus are hardworking and honest. I’ve gotten to know a few of them personally. Having the college in the town has been huge for my business, I’ve had access to young, good workers,” Mary said. Continuing to hire Gustavus students and getting to know them on a personal level is a priority for Mary.

“I want everyone to know what we are about. We are a useful spirit to the whole town, and we are full of energy,” Mary said.

 

Jorge from El Agave

Opening a Mexican resaurant in the small town proved to be very beneficial for manager Jorge Escalera. Established in 2010, El Agave is a relatively new restaurant.

Largely dependent upon student customers, El Agave hopes to continue its great relationship with Gustavus.

“It helps a lot to have the college in town. The business is very good. It’s also fun to have young customers,” Jorge said. Although he has been in the restaurant business for most of his life, Jorge finds that he learns new things everyday, especially within a new business like El Agave. “Students wanted new food to try, I was always hearing questions like, “Is there a Mexican resaturant nearby?” so I think students love the diversity of food we provide,” Jorge said.

 

Margo from the Co-op

The St. Peter Co-op, like many others, is focused on providing healthy and organic food to both the students and the community. General manager Margo O’Brien has been with the business since the start and has high regards towards the students at Gustavus.

“In [the] natural foods world, there are few successful Co-ops in smaller towns that don’t have some sort of college. It has a large impact,” Margo said. The Co-op has a student membership, and is committed to making it easier for students to afford the services of the Co-op. Student membership is significantly less than the regular membership price.

“The students, although we love to have them, are transient and are not here forever. We give them a way to be interactive and learn more about the co-op, so they can participate,” Margo said. The Co-op hopes to know every student that comes in on a personal basis.

“Gustavus provides students with so many services, that you can live on the hill independently. Integrating the student population into community is a challenge,” Margo said.

 

 Teresa From River Rock

Of course, what would a college town be without a coffee shop? Before opening, River Rock was occupied as a leather store, a men’s clothing store, a saloon, a hardware store and a cafe. It is now managed by Teresa Saum. Started in 2002, River Rock is
currently a prominent coffee shop that specializes in organic and traded coffees and teas and baked goods. Because of their high level of student employment, River Rock is largely student oriented.

“I really enjoy all of the students I know who attend Gustavus. They have a great drive to do things to make the world better and I admire that…we love that River Rock has such an eclectic clientele and we believe [that] the college contributes to that culture,” Teresa said.