history
The Kozlak family began it’s extensive relationship with the restaurant business on October 1st 1943 when Joseph and Gertrude Kozlak purchased a little bar/café called Jax that was located in Northeast Minneapolis. Each of Joseph and Gertrude’s three sons, Jack, Joe Jr. and Bill, alternately entered the business and the family worked together as Jax Café grew to become one of Minnesota’s largest and finest freestanding restaurants. Bill Kozlak Sr. eventually took over operations at Jax Café and Bill Kozlak Jr., a third generation Kozlak in the business, along with his wife Dana are currently continuing the family tradition at Jax.
The Kozlak family took on a new challenge in July of 1977. It all started on a Sunday in July when, perusing through the paper, Jack Kozlak came across the Auctions section of the St. Paul and Minneapolis papers. There in the paper was an auction, to be held in 9 days, for the property known as The Sandpiper Restaurant in the developing suburb of Shoreview. Jack and Ruth Kozlak took interest and in their first ever auction, purchased the property that became Kozlak’s Royal Oak. A Herculean remodeling and building project ensued, consuming the time of Jack, Ruth and their six children (Mark, Paul, Mary, Diane, Lynn, and Carol). Everyone contributed as dining room walls were peeled down to their studs, seventy-two feet of windows were installed, main floor restrooms were built, the kitchen was gutted and refit with new equipment, and gardens were built.
It was November 15th, 1977 when Kozlak’s Royal Oak opened for business. As time went on improvements continued to be made to Kozlak’s Royal Oak, including adding a second garden (the Oakview Terrace Room), purchasing new equipment and moving the kitchen to the main floor of the restaurant. While cooking and refrigeration can currently be done in the lower part of the restaurant, in the early goings of business everything had to be carried up to the main floor of the restaurant or brought up by dumb waiter.
Throughout the opening family members Paul, Mark, Carol, Diane and Lynn continued to make great contributions to the family project. The Kozlak tradition had grown stronger with yet another successful restaurant establishment and the family was blessed with additional ‘family’; an excellent staff. With some staff members staying with Kozlak’s for five, ten, fifteen and even twenty years they have helped Kozlak’s maintain it’s warm, knowledgeable and inviting atmosphere. Kozlak’s Royal Oak is currently under the management and ownership of Lynn and her husband Mark and continues to be a family tradition with the involvement of both of their children. Kozlak’s wishes to thank you for your support as we continue to build on this hospitality tradition.
