Duane Sutton has seen many restaurants come and go here in Aberdeen. With over 50 years of experience in the restaurant industry, that’s to be expected.
One lot on the corner of Roosevelt and Sixth Ave. was home to a few different restaurants. Sambo’s was one of The Millstone’s first competitors. Eventually, RG’s moved in, and IHOP followed several years later.
Cesar’s Buffet, Blue Buffalo, Lou’s Pizza, and Bonanza have all come and gone during The Millstone Family Restaurant’s lifetime.
“If you told me back in January of ‘75 we’d make it 50 years, I’d argue with you,” Sutton said. “But it’s the only thing I’ve known. I like being in charge of my own destiny. It’s exciting and I’ve enjoyed being part of it.”
Sutton grew up in Sioux Falls, and his first job in the restaurant industry was bussing tables. During his senior year of high school, he started working at a Country Kitchen restaurant. He worked there for three years before making the jump to owning his own restaurant here in Aberdeen.
The Millstone was initially a Country Kitchen that opened in 1971. Sutton took over the restaurant on January 15, 1975.
“On my first day, I relieved the manager and took over, and he was relieved because he wanted out,” Sutton said.
At 20 years old, Sutton had to wait a few months until he was old enough to officially sign all of the paperwork that was required. In the beginning, seven investors worked with Sutton. As time went on, he bought out their shares.
Sutton’s brother Bill started working with him in 1978. Over the years, he bought in as an owner as well and continues to work as the restaurant’s manager.
The restaurant kept the Country Kitchen name for a few years, but Sutton and the other investors thought that they weren’t getting their money’s worth from the licensing fee. Instead, they worked with
After coming up with the new Millstone name, the first location opened in Millbank, followed by Watertown, Pierre, Yankton, Spearfish, Aberdeen, and two in Rapid City. Sutton said that the Aberdeen location made the name switch in September of 1984.
When Sutton first started working, the restaurant was open 24 hours a day, only closing on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
“There was a change in nightlife,” Sutton said. “Many bars just had popcorn and no other food. Most bars have menus now, so there was less need for 24/7 hours.”
The next significant change to business occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. They started to close earlier at 9 p.m. Unfortunately, staffing issues continued even after the pandemic. Now The Millstone is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We didn’t want to upset people by being closed if we couldn’t staff it,” Sutton said. The restaurant’s new hours allows them to keep a consistent schedule with the staff they have.
Getting back to later hours is a matter of hiring more staff. Sutton said that the assistant manager position has been the hardest to fill.
“The day crew has been rock solid,” Sutton said. “They’ve always done a great job and have been reliable for many years.”
The Millstone isn’t alone with staffing issues – it’s been a problem with other restaurants and businesses as well.
“It’s a problem everywhere. I wish I had an answer,” Sutton said. “If I had the answer, I’d be a millionaire.”
Sometimes new competitors have an effect on business as well.
“Everyone wants to try the new place, so we weather that storm,” Sutton said. “We take situations and deal with them, and so far we’ve been survivors.”
Sutton said that the past 50 years have been rewarding and that the employees and customers have made it worthwhile.
“The staff we’ve had over the years have been an exceptional help,” he said. “We have seen families grow and develop. We’ve seen some of our first customers’ kids come in with their kids, and even their great-grandkids. It’s generational. I’m proud of that. I know a lot of our customers by name, and if I don’t know their name, then I recognize their face. Not a day goes by when you don’t see someone you know.”
“Aberdeen has treated us well. We raised our families here,” Sutton said. He and his brother have seven kids between the two of them, and almost all of them have moved away. Their eldest daughters work in healthcare here in town.
Sutton said that they’re working on a succession plan for the business, but nothing is set in the millstone yet.
View more articles about:
Back- Share
