By Roz Weis,
Scott and Stacey Gossling are pictured behind the cash register at The Family Table Restaurant. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Roz Weis)
Decorah is chock full of incredible restaurants, but there is one spot that stands out for its family-friendly, casual atmosphere and dedication to providing “nothing fancy, just good food” to customers seven-days-a-week.
The Family Table, under the ownership of Scott and Stacey Gossling of Decorah, has been a beloved social space for throngs of patrons for nearly 30 years.
Folks will notice a change at the business this week – a “For Sale” sign is now prominently displayed at 817 Mechanic Street.
The Gosslings have put in their time, and they’ve decided to list the business. They want to start the next chapter of their lives.
They are quick to put the rumor mills to rest. “We aren’t leaving town, we aren’t sick and we aren’t getting a divorce,” Stacey smiled. “It’s just time.”
Scott said it will be “business as usual” until the business is sold, and they are eager to find “just the right buyer.”
The couple hopes prospective new owners will appreciate the turn-key restaurant, complete with a capable staff of approximately 30 dedicated souls and upgraded facilities.
“We hope they will come in and see where they can take it,” Scott said about prospective new owners.
The Gosslings cultivated a classic establishment in their years of ownership. Breakfast food served all day, generous portions and an extensive menu are just a few of the options.
The location was once a root beer drive-in stand. The existing building was constructed in 1972. The root beer franchise was dropped in the 1980s, and Family Table was born. Purchased from Ken and Phyllis Jauert back in November of 1993, the Gossling business has undergone extensive remodeling in recent years.
“I remember when we bought the restaurant, and the owner was 52,” Scott reminisced. “She told us it was time to sell and that it was ‘a young person’s business; and at the time I thought that 52 seemed young.”
“Now I get it,” Scott said.
Scott and Stacey have a long history in the food service business. Scott is a Festina-area native. After many years of working in the corporate world, they purchased Family Table, establishing it as a true neighborhood establishment. It’s important for them that the restaurant retain its reputation as a place for groups to reconnect over breakfast, lunch or dinner.
“It’s not just the food,” Scott said. “It’s the fellowship.”
They’ve worked countless hours, employed hundreds of high school students and seasoned servers, and will leave a lasting legacy.
Their two children, Nick and Chloe, put in their time at the restaurant in their younger years. They are now both engineers in the Minneapolis area. Many of their former staff members have gone on to other careers as doctors, dentists, school principals, teachers, engineers, plumbers, electricians and more. When they purchased the business back in 1993, they had a crew of seven (including the two of them), and they now have 30 employees on the team.
Family Table is a place to gather, as is illustrated by the number of coffee groups gathering there each and every day. Some patrons are known to stop in as often as 4 times a day.
With the slogan, “nothing fancy, just good food,” the restaurant has stood the test of time.
Food and fellowship
Going above and beyond in customer services is an understatement at Family Table.
“We have a customer who doesn’t care for beans in his chili, so when we aren’t too busy we will take out the beans for him,” Stacey said.
“Another customer isn’t fond of carrots in his chicken noodle soup, so we’ll take them out too,” Scott smiled.
Their loyal patrons have become beloved.
The “Norma” sandwich on the menu, for example, is named after a loyal diner, the late Norma Casper.
Norma would call them when recovering from her dialysis appointments, and the Gosslings would be sure to have her favorite menu item delivered to her at her home just down the alley from the restaurant.
The Family Table has become a resource for families who want the security of knowing their loved ones are okay.
“We have a list of phone numbers on the wall at the restaurant. Out-of-towners have called to request we call them if their mother or father doesn’t stop in regularly,” Stacey said.
Excellent customer services has been the lifeblood of the business over the past three decades. It’s the kind of place where you wonder, how could they possibly be selling? The restaurant is packed, it’s standing-room-only, and the kitchen is humming. But after decades of serving the hungry in Decorah, it’s time to say goodbye. They’ll continue running the business until a sale is negotiated.
The Gosslings agree that they have appreciated their supportive staff and patrons, and they look forward to what’s next.
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