Links ... on the River opens in Prescott

• Jeff and Shannon Stricker

Jeff and Shannon Stricker of Hastings are using recipes passed down from their grandparents at their new restaurant, Links on the River.

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Being in the kitchen has long been part of family tradition for the Link/Stricker families of Hastings.

Wayne and Joan Link started the Trophy House in New Trier in 1968, and then moved to Hastings to open the Links Restaurant on the city's south side. For part of that time, they also operated the cafeteria at the Dakota County Government Center in Hastings.

When the Links retired, daughter and son-in-law Marilyn and Randy Stricker managed the restaurant. The restaurant closed in the early 2000s.

Grandchildren Shannon and Jeff still had hopes of having another family-style restaurant.

On June 11, the Strickers hope became reality, and they opened Links on the River at 214 Front St., in Prescott.

“It's in our blood,” Shannon said.

A friend told Jeff about the vacant building (home to the former Slip-In), which overlooks the St. Croix River, a block from Prescott's main business district. The Strickers took a look at the space and liked it. They remodeled it, and then consulted their grandmother about using the family name for the restaurant. She was thrilled.

So were the Strickers' parents, who helped with getting the building ready for the opening.

The restaurant is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Breakfast – pancakes, french toast, eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy – is served all day.

“What we offer are recipes that have been handed down from the one generation to the next,” Shannon said. “We have homemade jams, dressings, tartar sauce, and desserts.”

The breakfasts are big, very big, she said.

“Think of the breakfasts you had at your grandparents’ at the farm,” Shannon said. “They are that big.”

“We serve a great meal at a great price and we are family-oriented,” Jeff said.

There are daily specials, which are posted on the menu board inside the door.

Call-ahead orders for pickup are available by calling 715-262-9800.

Tags: new business, business, links