Running a business, notably one in the food service industry, has its daily challenges. Food and supply costs, labor and tax requirements, health industry standards, customers’ changing food choices, competition, mercurial social media, and other factors make operating a business not for the faint of heart. However, being affected by an occurrence that comes out of the blue adds to the daily stresses.
Nick’s Nest employed 10 full-time and about 9 seasonal workers. Then came the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was reported that business initially decreased about 50% from the prior year’s levels. Customers could no longer dine inside, and masks were required for workers and anyone inside the eatery who placed a takeout order.
Thanks to a Paycheck Protection Program loan from a local bank, Kevin and Jennifer Chateauneuf were able to weather the financial challenges. The iconic eatery never closed, and in 2020, they planned to hire more part-time help for the ice cream season. With the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021, they hoped business would return to previous levels.
2021 marked the 100th anniversary of Nick’s Nest. That is quite a milestone achieved by only a few businesses and very few dining spots.
By this time, the menu had grown to include chicken strips, cheese curds, waffle fries, ice cream cakes, and ice cream sandwiches.
I will leave you with this quote from Jen Chateauneuf, which about sums up the nostalgic feeling and the experience at Nick’s Nest: “What surprises us the most about owning Nick’s Nest is that it is so much more than a little hot dog stand. People have so many memories tied to Nick’s Nest, and when people come home for Thanksgiving or Christmas, they make sure to stop in and see us. We hope we can keep Nick’s Nest going for another 100 years, so our 11-year-old daughter can run it with her future husband and children for another 100 years.”
Oh yes, the most popular item ordered is a hot dog with mustard, relish, and onions. Enjoy the photos and captions below!
Citations:Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; Daily Hampshire Gazette (Northampton, Massachusetts), publication dates and pages are shown.
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