Sgt. Preston’s of the North Bar and Restaurant June Small Business of the Month
After 30 years as owner of Sgt. Preston’s of the North Bar and Restaurant at 6 N. Second St. in Lafayette (742-7378, www.sgtprestons.org), many may think Doug Cooper has been at this all his life. Not quite.
Farming Preceded Restaurant
Born and raised in Lawrence, Kansas, Cooper actually began his working life on a dairy farm during junior high school, and continued for a while after his high school graduation. When the farm owner’s son-in-law and other friends decided to open a pizza restaurant, Cooper took the dishwashing job, then joined them in the business.
Dairy farming and running a restaurant do have something in common, he says. “Both have very extensive hours.”
In his work today, “People can talk back,” he says. In his former career, “Cows just kicked.” While he misses farming, but not dairy farming, “It’s nice being around people” in the restaurant business.
“I like cooking, coming up with new ideas, trying different things, seeing the response of people, and being around the employees,” Cooper says. “It’s a family-type atmosphere.”
Sought Historic Building
The Kansas pizza restaurant group soon came up with a new idea: open a restaurant in a historic building. They sold the pizza business and opened a Sgt. Preston’s in Lawrence. Soon, those who were Purdue graduates suggested a Lafayette location, and Doug came here to manage the Canadian-themed lunch-and-dinner spot. The Kansas Preston’s has since closed, and Doug bought out his former partners.
He’s since been joined in the business, which employs 26, by his wife, Karen. “I have to credit her with a lot of positive things going on around here,” Doug says. “She’s a major force here, that’s for sure.”
The Preston Burger is the most popular item on the menu. “And we have good wings, too, in a couple of different flavors,” he says. Buffalo Burgers and the Original Schooner Night on Monday are also favorites.
“The patio, too, is a very big draw, a nice addition in the summertime.” The outdoor space, which features live music, has recently been expanded and now seats 230.
Another popular spot at the restaurant and bar is the 60-seat John Purdue room, for private events.
A busy night each year is Wednesday before Thanksgiving, when a lot of Preston’s fans come back to town and stop in.
Daytimes, the restaurant packs in bankers, lawyers and other downtown workers.
“Nighttime, it changes a little bit,” Cooper says. “The crowd sometimes gets a little younger. But you can be 21 or 75 or 80 and come in here and feel comfortable.”
‘People Make Lafayette Great’
Lafayette has been a great location for the business, Cooper says. “It’s a nice, small community. People work together here. The people are what make Lafayette great.”
Preston’s extends far beyond its walls and patio, too. The restaurant participates in numerous local festivals and shares its talents and fare to help others in the community.
Huge Community Supporter
Each year, Cooper spends 12 hours cooking turkeys and other meat for the Community and Family Resource Center’s Christmas Dinner. The business has donated food to Lafayette Urban Ministry and Lyn Treece Boys and Girls Club, among others, and gift certificates for local teachers.
The business also supports Shop with Firefighters, United Way, Hunger Hike, Long Center for the Performing Arts, ’Round the Fountain Art Fair, Tippecanoe Arts Federation, Leadership Lafayette and Historic Prophetstown, among many others.
The Coopers are also active in Greater Lafayette Commerce, Lafayette-West Lafayette Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Task Force.
“I’m usually talked into stuff,” Cooper says. “I’ve always got to be doing something anyway, so it might as well be something beneficial to people and the community. I can’t sit still, I’ve got to be on the move. You rest when they put you down—that’s when you catch up on your sleep.”
Sidebar:
Criteria for Small Business Winners
Businesses nominated for the Small Business of the Month award must be:
§ Privately owned
§ In business under current ownership at least three years
§ A Greater Lafayette Commerce member
§ Staffed by 50 or fewer employees
§ Involved in the community
The Small Business of the Month is Proudly Sponsored by Lafayette Savings Bank
