Local family opens Train Station Bar and Grill

Layne and Nicole Hable had never owned a restaurant, but it was something they always thought about doing.

When the opportunity arose in January to purchase the old Bridge Street Tavern building in downtown Owatonna, it was an opportunity they couldn’t miss.

“We decided to purchase it,” said Layne Hable, owner of the Train Station Bar and Grill.

He explained that it was previously just a bar, but they bought both buildings in order to install a kitchen built from scratch.

As of the end of February, the bar, which was also remodeled, is up and going, and as of about two weeks ago, the kitchen is firing up fan favorites.

Layne Hable explained his wife’s parents years ago owned a bar in Albert Lea, and his daughter-in-law has serving experience as well.

With both his sons working on the railroad with him, Layne Hable explained his wife and daughter-in-law, Kaitlin Hable, whose husband, Trey, is a co-owner, will help run the business when they are on the road, every other week.

When the father and son are back in town, the plan is to work pretty much the whole time at the bar and grill.

“It kind of fit our railroad family,” Layne Hable said about the name of the business.

He said they currently have three full-time cooks, and about a dozen part-time serving staff. His other son, daughter, and daughter-in-law also help out from time to time.

The reception from the community has been top notch, Layne Hable said.

“It's been awesome, we’ve had a packed house every night for food,” Layne Hable said.

He said the business will be open for lunch Thursday through Sunday.

Layne Hable said being on the road every other week for the past 28 years has also allowed him and his sons to see different bars and restaurants along the way, taking bits and pieces from different ones to incorporate into their new business venture.

“This is just a perfect opportunity to get it going, so we just decided, let's do it,” he said.