20 years of Service at the Oklee Café

This story ran in the July 12, 2001 Oklee Herald.

As of July 1st, Teresa Benson is the new operator of the Oklee Café.

Teresa, or “T”, as she likes to be called, is originally form Mound, which is on Lake Minnetonka. 

“My dad worked for Tonka Toys,” Teresa commented. “For Christmas one year we got nothing but Tonka Toys—we were all girls!” Right now she wishes she still had those old toys.

Her first taste of the restaurant business came as the age of 14 as a dish-washer in Spring Park. She worked at Embers for four years.

For many years, Teresa and her parents had been visiting with her aunt and uncle, Betty and Forrest Mostrom of Gonvick and in 1990, her parents moved to Gully to live. Her mother decided to take over the K-C Club café in Gonvick. “T” worked with her mother for two years and then took over the operation for an additional year and a half.

After giving up K-C’s, Teresa went to work at the Trails End Bar. She moved to Thief River Falls and attended Northland Community College where she studied business management.

“All in all,” she says, “I get more out of listening to my customers than my school training. The customer’s wants and needs are more important.”

After leaving Thief River Falls, Teresa returned to Gully and worked at the Sportsman’s Lodge at Pine Lake and Trails End Bar until taking over the Oklee Café.

“I’m not in a rush to make a lot of changes in the café. Right now, I’ll concentrate on getting things organized,” Teresa says. “I’ve got a great crew and I appreciate the dedicated work they’re doing. Even my mother, with a recent knee replacement has been coming in at 4:30 in the morning and baking.

The Oklee Café will continue to provide wholesome meals to the Senior Site as did the previous management.

Teresa has two children, both boys, ages 14 and 12. She likes living in this part of Minnesota but still finds it strange having to drive 50 to 60 miles just to do her shopping.

Current:

Teresa is still full of laughter and fun and loves her Cafe. She offers good food and a happy fun atmosphere. 

She has added a few special items to her menu such as the  "McCliffy, a breakfast sandwich on an English muffin with one egg, cheese and choice of meat. And on some Friday nights she will have a Broasted Chicken, or Grilled Shrimp, or Walleye dinner from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. You have to watch for the ad in the Canary section to see what the Friday night special is and when it is happening.

The Ladies and Men of the community come in for the coffee/breakfast many days of the week. She serves off the breakfast menu until 11 a.m.

She makes the senior meals that get delivered or served in the Senior Dining Site next door. Though during Covid-19, it was only Meals on Wheels that came out of her kitchen at that time.

Now that the restrictions from Covid are being lifted, life in the Cafe is coming back to normal and there is activity around Oklee and its a great place to stop by for a quick cup of coffee and treat or have a full meal. Her hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Thursday. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays if she has her Friday night special (otherwise, she closes at 3 p.m. and Saturday she is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Oklee Cafe is closed on Sundays.

On July 1st, starting at 1:30 p.m. there will be a celebration for Teresa Benson on her 20 year anniversary as operator of Oklee's Cafe. Come and join her for cake, coffee and conversation.