HIBBING—Five years ago Amanda Campbell made a decision that would be a turning point in her life, transitioning from an employee to a business owner.
Campbell purchased the Bach Yen Garden Restaurant in 2019 from her employer Alice Russo, who owned and operated the business for more than 30 years at 22510 First Ave. in Hibbing.
“I started working here in April of 2018 just as a waitress,” Campbell recalled.
In August of 2018 Russo approached Campbell about purchasing her business, and in January of 2019 she took over ownership.
Campbell said she majored in business and accounting at college, but it was mainly to “get an education.” She said the thought of someday owning her own business came to mind, but it wasn’t necessarily a lifelong dream.
Once she made the decision to purchase the restaurant, she acknowledged her business background came in handy.
Campbell said growing up her cooking skills were limited, “nothing out of the norm.”
“I wasn’t a connoisseur or anything,” she added.
A self-professed “Heinz 57,” Campbell said she learned how to prepare the Asian and American flare Bach Yen is known for by Russo.
“Alice taught me,” she said proudly. “And her chef, Phi Dahn.”
Russo’s Vietnamese heritage and insistence of using only fresh ingredients, along with a strong work ethic built the family restaurant to the iconic Hibbing eatery that it is today. She and her son, Rob Russo, a co-owner of Valentini’s in Chisholm, shared their stories in the restaurant business in the 2021 documentary film “Supper Club” by Matthew Koshmrl.
“It’s a lot of work,” Campbell acknowledged.
“I like doing our sweet and sour chicken,” she said.
The prep work for sweet and sour chicken consumes the entire work day for Campbell and her employees on Tuesday, so the restaurant is closed that day, she noted.
“We get our chicken, cut it up, season it, batter it, and fry it up fresh for the week,” she said. “And it’s a big project.”
Spring rolls were one of the most difficult menu items for Campbell when she started learning.
“That rice paper is so thing, and you can poke holes in it so easy,” she said. “It’s a knack that you have to get down.”
Campbell’s late mother, Tammy Hewett also played a big role, working beside her and greeting customers with a smile.
“She is always there to help—to be the right hand to my left,” read a Facebook post by Campbell published in a 2022 Hibbing Daily Tribune story.
Since taking over as owner of Bach Yen, Campbell said she’s developed the confidence to “get out and greet customers.”
“You go through all of the emotions with them—you go through your life with them, and that’s special,” she said.
Campbell said in her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband outdoors, and visiting with family.
“All my babies have grown and moved out,” Campbell said. “We spend our free time camping and going to hang out with the kids.”
The North Shore of Lake Superior is a favorite getaway of theirs, she noted.
Bach Yen is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Online orders can be placed at the following link: https://thebachyen.square.site/s/order#order-again
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