Q&A with owner of Soda Springs' award-winning Main Street Diner

The News-Examiner recently sat down with Tamra Henesh, the owner of Soda Springs' award-winning Main Street Diner, 71 S. Main St. Here are her answers to our questions.

News-Examiner: What is the background and history of the Main Street Diner?

Henesh: In 2011, my mom, sister and I saw a need for a place to go eat during lunch. My parents had their construction and real estate businesses up the street and we found there was never a place to go for lunch. They lived so far out of town and going home for lunch just wasn’t plausible. We found this space.... It was a bar for a short time before we bought it. We had to put a ton of work into making it what you see today. The walls were so saturated with the smell of smoke and alcohol. The only way we could rid the smell was to cover most the walls with the wood paneling. We kept the original bar and the ceiling to keep with the historical vibe of the building. Eventually my sister, Clara, wanted to move to Florida and I thought I was ready to take on the business. So in 2019, I purchased the business from my parents probably at the worst time ever. It was right before COVID hit and businesses changed drastically everywhere. There were days I wondered why I did what I did but the community did what they could and we were able to keep our doors open. We recently just celebrated our 13 year anniversary.

NE: How do you juggle a successful business and being a wife and mother?

Henesh: It’s very hard. There is a lot of extras that make it so even if I’m not working, I’m working. When 2 p.m. hits I put my mom hat on and try to walk away as much as I can. The diner hours are the way they are because I promised myself I wouldn’t be trying to be working when my kids were home at night. The afternoon and evening hours are for my family, although they are very understanding of the communication it takes when the diner isn’t open, whether it be organizing vendors, employees and such. I feel like I’m doing pretty well at putting family first. My husband and kids need to know I'm a wife and mother before a business owner. I know I only have a short 18 years with my kids. I can’t let go of that precious time with them.

I only had my oldest son when we first opened. The diner has become a second home to my family. I come in on Sundays to clean some and the kids are always in tow.

NE: What is it like being a business owner in a small town?

Henesh: We have the ups and downs like any business. The winters are much slower but the summers are really good to us. Being a business owner almost always means time is never your own. It’s exhausting at times. So few people want to really work which is partly another reason why we aren’t open at night. So few will work evenings. I feel the new Chamber of Commerce is really going places. The benefits of getting this working again are great for all small businesses in town. I know we are only as good as the community we serve. It’s hard being a small business owner when at times there are too many critics and not enough understanding. However, despite all the hard, I’m grateful I can bring a service to Soda Springs as well as employ some really good people. The stress is high at times but doesn’t any job come with some stress? I wish more understood the time and sacrifice that comes with being a business owner in a small community.

NE: How did you create such a successful “family” vibe with your customers and employees?

Henesh: I try to be very good to my employees knowing I don’t have a business without employees who care about my business the same way I do. I try to involve them in big decisions so they aren’t just someone who shows up to give of their time. This work environment is somewhere they leave their families daily to come to. I have to make it a place they want to come to. I know there are days no one wants to go to work but I know for me once I’m here I love the company I keep and am grateful for all they do. I try to treat my employees and customers as family. I have amazing regular customers who have become family. I pay my employees minimum wage plus tips because I want them to know I take care of them too. I want them to know I’m here for them not only as an employer but as a friend as well. Almost all my employees have been women over the years. I have intentionally made time for trips and parties just for employees. I feel this has created a friendship bond. I know when I’m gone the diner runs just as if I was here. My employees care about my business and do better when they know I care for them beyond just the hours they work for me. I know most are wives and mothers and have to make it worth their time leaving their family’s for work. Their fun personalities make the vibe what it is. And I'm so grateful for all they do for me.

NE: Has there been some trial and error in making your business successful?

Henesh: I know with trial and error there can’t be a sacrifice of quality for quantity. We know we have to keep staying true to the quality we have always served. COVID changed everything. We had to increase pricing some and we so appreciate that the community stood by us through it all. Unfortunately April 1 we are having to make the change and charge fees for credit card payments. We have held off as long as we can but the fees are insane. We have found hardly no one carries cash anymore but most don’t know the businesses are responsible for paying the credit card fees. This is something we are having to change and hope most understand.

NE: How did you decide on a menu?

Henesh: From the beginning we knew we wanted to be open for breakfast and lunch. Some menu items were family recipes but some are just ideas that we've tweaked until it’s something we loved and has responded well with the community. Some things made an appearance and didn’t last long. But we feel our menu is a great one. The salad bar is a big popular item. Many come in just for the salad bar and sandwich.

NE: What are your most popular menu items?

Henesh: Our chicken fried steak and the Aloha burgers/chicken have been staples from the beginning. Breakfast has some of my very faves. The biscuits and gravy are some of the best around and the only place I ever order them. The skillets are also super popular.

NE: Did you know Yelp was going to name your restaurant The Best Little Diner in Idaho?

Henesh: I had no idea until one of my waitresses sent me the link one night. Sometimes we are funny and say to customers “give us a Yelp review” but it was always just being funny. None of us had any idea we were going to get this recognition. I didn’t go looking for the credit with Yelp. Depsite the good reviews and attention, I just want to keep being true to who we are and not change much. We are a small town community loving diner and just love to give back. Lots of summer travelers come through and we just want to give them a taste of what small town Idaho feels like.

NE: What is some advice you’d share with people thinking about starting a business in small town Idaho?

Henesh: DO IT! Despite the repairs that make us stay up all night to fix so we don’t close our doors or the stress that comes with the ebb and flow of income month to month, I don’t regret owning a business in Soda Springs. I very much feel privileged to serve the community in such a capacity. I love that I can give back and support the local schools and other programs. The high school just started a booster club this year and I'm very grateful I’m in a position to where we can help them. If you’re questioning whether or not to do it, I say go for it. This community is amazing and the business owners are always great to help each other.