Nohre returns to Elbow Inn as the owner

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Kimberly Nohre, as a teenager, worked summers at the popular Elbow Inn, in Elbow Lake, when fellow teens and people of all ages stopped to purchase ice cream, shakes, cones, soft drinks and other treats.

Now, many years later, she’s the new owner of the Elbow Inn, along with her husband, David, her daughter, Lisa, and Chris Seefeldt.

“Yes, you could call this a family operation,” her sister and assistant manager Katie Anderson said. “We don’t need to go far for advice in the food business. Our sister, Kayla Anderson, owns Benny’s Bar and Grill over in Wendell.”

Kimberly Nohre has been a co-owner since this spring and has expanded the days that Elbow Inn is open.

“We opened for the new season April 6,” Katie Anderson said. “Right now our plans are to stay open at least through the end of October. We may even consider staying open into November but we aren’t sure of that, at least right now.”

Kimberly, David, Lisa, Chris and Katie are unanimous on one thing — to meet the wants and needs of loyal customers. To that end, they have an extensive menu that’s displayed on their bulletin board and also is in print from for people to take home and clip to their refrigerator doors.

“The Cyclone is a popular treat that our customers purchase a lot during the summer months,” co-owner Kimberly Nohre said. “People have their choice of small, medium or large. The Cyclone is an ice cream treat that’s meant to simulate blended treats such as Blizzards and McFlurries.”

Floats, freezes, crunchy dipped cones and the ever-popular green apple sundae with caramel, to name a few, also are popular, assistant manager Katie Anderson said.

Like many fast-food places in this area of west central Minnesota, broasted chicken remains a staple at Elbow Inn.

“People come in for a quick meal and purchase the chicken snack or half a chicken dinner,” Anderson said. “Those who are on the go oftentimes call ahead and order buckets of chicken in increments of four pieces, up to a pack of 24 pieces of chicken.”

Over the years pork tenders, shrimp burgers and chicken strips have become more popular, she said.

“Here at Elbow Inn we’re confident we have enough of a selection to satisfy the tastes for people of all ages,” co-owner Kimberly Nohre said. “We’ve had a good first few weeks. Our staff of 11 is working hard, enjoy meeting people who come in and our customers are pleased. We want this to continue.”