After 44 years manning the grills, recipes, customers and books, Burgher Haus owners Mike and Jane Robertson will be hanging up their aprons for the last time come 2020.
Mike and his wife, Jane, first bought the popular California eatery in 1977 when a unique opportunity presented itself.
"We were still in our 20s," Mike said to Jane. "We were still in college, and a friend told me I could put some money down for a restaurant. In no time, it seemed like, we had taken over four restaurants."
With Burgher Haus diners in Tipton, Holts Summit and Columbia, time saw all but the California location close down. This gave Robertson and his family ample time to perfect their craft and to settle deeper into their hometown.
"I think we spent about seven years in Jeff City but moved back here in 1980," Mike said. "I mean, this was our hometown. We wanted to give back in the best way we could."
Once their three children were old enough to become Pintos, Jane started helping out more at the restaurant. There was a particular crowd she enjoyed working with the best over her years.
"We've employed lots of teens here over the years and they really kept us young, I think," Jane said. "The teens are great to work with. They're still optimistic, and it's just been a great experience."
Jane said as Burgher Haus was a first job for many of the teens, it was a great experience for the youth to learn more about life. About 10 of the teens met and even married eventually having first spent time together as employees at Burgher Haus.
It hasn't always been good times, though - Jane said a fire a few years back forced them to remodel the west section of the restaurant, and Burgher Haus was lucky to have so much community support.
Mike explained their insurance company expected the Robertsons to be out of business for a good six months. Fearing the end of their hard work, their landlord knew he didn't want to lose the Haus.
"His name was Kenny Vaughn, and he owned all of Village Green," Mike said. "He really took a chance on us and helped us get back and running just two weeks later. We were back in business."
A new west end, along with the rest of the diner, saw a slew of customers the Robertsons got to know quite well. Jane said once their retirement begins, saying goodbye to her customers will be the hardest thing to get through.
"Our customer base has just been tremendous," Jane said. "We saw so many people grow up and some even passed away. It just makes me tear up. It was always sad to see them go."
Retirement will find the couple spending more time with grandchildren, catching up with fishing and even checking on their 25 beehives.
"I also like to landscape," Mike said. "I developed a subdivision, too, so with all of that, I think the time is now to retire. There's just so much to do. We still gotta buckle up and strap in."
While the Robertsons may be retiring from their shop, that does not mean the reigns are being handed to an unfamiliar face. The Robertsons' son, Drew, will be taking over. All three of the Robertson boys used to work at Burgher Haus and have their own restaurant experience.
Drew has owned two Golden Corrals and other establishments. But the young Robertson decided the time was now to pick up where his parents left off.
"I'm so proud that they established a great store for 45 years," Drew said. "A lot of my success is gauged towards them, and I learned a lot from them growing up."
Mike and Jane will still be seen helping out at Burgher Haus after the new year. It's their wish to help Drew and his team get well-adjusted and have an easy transition into his new role as owner.