SCHREIERS RE-OPEN CURRIE BUSINESSES

By Crystal Reith, Staff Writer For Elizabeth and Matt Schreier, their vision to contribute to the revitalization of Currie has resulted in the reopening of two businesses – The Hideaway and Currie Lanes.

Their vision includes the joy of gathering and they love creating space for the community to make meaningful connections through food and hospitality.

Both Tracy High School graduates, Matt grew up near Currie and Elizabeth was raised on a farm between Tracy and Walnut Grove. Matt went on to North Dakota State University for a degree in sports and urban turf grass management while Elizabeth received a degree in communications and music from Augsburg University. However, both have a passion for and experience in the restaurant industry as they worked for various restaurants throughout college and after.

The couple’s journey as business owners began in 2010 when Matt saw an opportunity to relocate back home and purchased the restaurant in downtown Currie. In May 2010, the Lakeside Hideaway opened on the corner of First and Mill Streets. With similar aspirations of creating a welcoming space where people could enjoy conversation and quality time, Elizabeth eventually quit her job in 2012 to join Matt.

For eight years, the duo worked together to build connections with customers while balancing time with family and personal well-being.

Elizabeth & Matt with their children Ada & Otto.

“We found fulfillment in building relationships with our restaurant community and seeing the joy our space brought to our guests,” said Elizabeth.

However, COVID-19 forced the Schreiers to close the doors of Lakeside Hideaway and reflect on their goals and priorities. The couple spent time remodeling the interior and exterior of the building during the mandated shutdown of restaurants and rebranded their establishment as Mill Street BBQ.

“We realized we never lost our passion for the industry and our love for our community. We really missed having people enjoy time with their loved ones in our space and we also really missed seeing energy in our town,” said Matt. “We are committed to creating vibrant, welcoming spaces that allow for connection and experience.”

Now, almost three years later, the Schreiers decided to re-open the restaurant as The Hideaway. In preparation for the re-opening, the pair participated in an eight-week business reinvention class through the Southwest Initiative Foundation and the Redstar Marketing Academy.

“We have learned to always follow our own instinct and be intentional about everything we do,” said Elizabeth. “Every detail has been crafted with intention to make our guests feel special.”

As they reflect on their journey over the years, they feel the keys to a successful business is to find a mentor in the field, set a price point that makes the business sustainable to support family and business growth, never stop learning in the industry and do what needs to be done to avoid burn out. “There’s a lot of outside pressure and advice, but make sure you stick with what you believe is right,” said Matt.

Overall, Elizabeth and Matt have found the biggest struggle has been learning to prioritize their family, time for themselves and their health. The couple have two children, Ada and Otto.

The couple finds joy when everything is working in unison and delivering great food, drink and service. “The most fun part is seeing our guests happy at the end of their visit,” said Matt. “We also enjoy seeing our staff having fun too!”

The Hideaway employs roughly 30 people and offers a simple menu consisting of mostly scratch-made items which include customer favorites of walleye and brisket. The ambience in the historic building allows for semi-private seating that encourages conversation and connection.

In addition to re-opening The Hideaway, the couple purchased Currie Lanes which is a vintage four-lane bowling alley located on Mill Street. The Schreiers have been remodeling the lanes with hopes of opening by the end of the summer.

“We purchased this business because we’ve always loved the nostalgia of the building and we see the value in restoring old buildings and providing more places for gathering and entertainment,” said Elizabeth. “There are not many bowling alleys in existence anymore and it’s such a fun and unique activity.”

Their plan for the bowling alley is to host private parties but are also interested in hosting bowling leagues for youth and adults. They also plan on offering Bridgeman’s ice cream and lunch featuring fried chicken and smash burgers on Wednesdays through Saturdays.

As they look forward to the future, they hope to continue growing and learning through a sustainable business model.

“Since the beginning, we couldn’t have anticipated how our guests would embrace our business as well as our family, and for that we will forever be grateful,” said Elizabeth.