May 14, 2023

This paid piece is sponsored by JJ’s Wine, Spirits & Cigars.

If there’s one thing Jane Slattery’s sons can – more or less – agree on, it’s that their late mother would have had certain … reservations about them going into business together.

“She would have never liked us to do this, but I think she keeps us moving,” oldest son Nick Slattery said. “She keeps us moving forward.”

In the nearly 18 months since Nick, Tom and Jim Slattery have become the owners of Whimp’s Place in Burbank and Toby’s Lounge in Meckling, the brothers in business have taken their custodial role of some of South Dakota’s most iconic establishments seriously.

From left: Mike Slattery, and his sons Tom, Jim and Nick

“The previous owners were both getting to a point of retirement and we weren’t really planning on taking both at the same time,” Tom said. “My hesitation was my ability and Nick’s ability to do it because of all of the other things we have cooking… so to speak.”

Tom, the owner of JJ’s Wine, Spirits & Cigars and JJ’s Axes & Ales, brought expertise on the adult beverage, food service and entertainment side of the business. Nick, co-owner of AMS Building Systems, employs more than 30 people in the Vermillion area and includes home construction, commercial construction and The Lumberyard LLC, as well as area bed-and-breakfasts.

So while both knew what it took to succeed as entrepreneurs – they also knew they couldn’t take on another venture, much less two, without help.

Enter youngest brother Jim, who cut his teeth in the restaurant business at Theo’s in Sioux Falls in the 1990s and area restaurants in Vermilion, before moving to Arizona and furthering his career as a software engineer.

He moved back to run the family’s newest acquisitions.

“I’d rather do this,” he said. “It’s all the things I want to do for the rest of my life.”

The brothers recognize the role both establishments play in their communities and the surrounding area – and they know the vintage vibe is all part of the experience.

“Whimp’s is known for the atmosphere,” Jim said. “It’s a very homey building.”

The menu delivers signature burgers, lunch through dinner with daily specials, and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.

While it draws local regulars, “we’re a destination place for everyone else,” Jim said. “Summer is going to be pretty busy as travelers, motorcycle enthusiasts and other groups drive through headed West, or just to find comfort in a familiar place.”

In the last year, Jane’s Boys have retained the character of Whimp’s while delivering a broad variety of burgers, steaks, pastas, sandwiches, chicken wings and some new menu items that Jim has developed with his team.

At Toby’s, “It’s all about the broasted chicken. But we’ve updated the menu just a tad,” Jim said. “We’ve added saucy original wings and boneless chicken, which has increased the number of “under 30” college-aged kids popping by to check it out.”

The brothers each have brought their own experience, he added.

“Tom’s got the adult beverage side dialed in… he’s good with pairings, he’s good with telling me what bourbons I should have on the bar shelf, and he’s been running small businesses like this for a long time,” Jim said.

“Nick … happens to own a construction company, so anytime we need something fixed in either place, he’s the first call.”

Both establishments have a treasured place in Slattery family history. The family farm is within a mile of Toby’s, where Tom had his first bartending gig more than 30 years ago. Whimp’s also was owned by longtime family friends and was a favorite gathering spot for Slattery’s over three generations.

“My expectations were to let Jim thrive and do what he knew how to do best and just kind of guide him through some of the components we wanted to add as far as craft cocktails, draft beer and improved retail adult beverage components at both locations,” Tom said. “Jim’s doing a great job and we couldn’t ask for a better person to steer the rudder, so to speak. He’s also put together a good team to help him grow.”

Uniquely, both businesses also are able to sell off-sale adult beverages, providing the communities and surrounding area with a convenient retail outlet in addition to a bar and restaurant.

Both Meckling and Burbank will celebrate 150 years as communities this year, and the owners of Whimp’s and Toby’s plan to celebrate with them.

“We have a good rapport with the community. I hear everything, because I’m in the entire town,” Nick said. “We’re a participant every day. We focus on community service and customer service. We want people to enjoy a good meal. We want people to have good service. We’re going to work very hard to make their experience enjoyable. That’s what keeps businesses thriving.”

To put it in perspective, the businesses has been in their respective communities more than 50 years.

“That’s a third of the life of these two communities,” Tom said. “When you put that in perspective, that’s how important they are and how engrained those two businesses are in these communities.”

And while Dad Mike Slattery doesn’t have ownership in the business, “we kind of lean on Dad to facilitate conversation to make sure we’re all on the same page,” Tom said. “I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love it.”

And, perhaps, seeing the business run, Mom might agree, Jim said.

“I think after a year she would’ve seen that we were all happy with what we we’re doing,” he said. “Maybe after a few meals I made for her.”