Gary Blumm drives down the road. He sees the Happy Jack’s sign up ahead and decides to stop for a treat. He pulls into the parking lot, the closed sign from the window shining back at him. Remembering they became seasonal, he pulls the car around disappointed.

Local diner, Happy Jack’s Submarines, has made the switch into a seasonal business. Owners Jack Moos and his brother opened the doors almost 50 years ago. The building has remained a time capsule with artifacts and old merchandise decorating every inch of a blank wall. Moos now owns the business with his wife Sherry.

This winter season, they have decided to go seasonal.

“We decided to try it this year as we search for a new owner and it gives us time to go through that process. We would like to retire after 47 years,” Moos says.

Most people in the community understand the change they have made and continue to support them.

“Shutting down for the season protects the owners from having to lose money during the slow months,” employee

Linda Eaton says, “It also gives them the ability to have some time off to be able to enjoy life and take care of things at the restaurant that need to be taken care of while closed.”

Eaton has worked at Happy Jack’s for 47 years and has loved every minute of it.

This vintage building has been a memoring making spot for many people in the community. Whether it was family dinners or after game wins, the chairs were always packed with smiling faces, so the community has taken a hard hit to this company becoming seasonal.

Blumm, a long-time customer, says that he will miss being able to stop in and get a snack.

“I’m upset that they are becoming seasonal,” senior Jamison Shea says. “It’s a place I’ve been going to for the past 14 years and going there whether to get a sandwich or get some ice cream, it’s always been a comfort for me … I’m going to miss it being open 24/7.”

Employees at Happy Jack’s also believe that the community will be affected by the new business approach.
“I definitely think it’s going to affect the community because we have so many regulars that always come in and they love the food,” says employee Taylor Palke.

The community are not the only people affected by the business change, employees at Happy Jacks will also have to adjust to the new changes. While employees will be out of a winter job, they respect and understand the decision made by the Moos family.

“I think it’s a good step,” employee Sarah Zawedde’Kigozi says, “a lot of people don’t want to go in during the winter months so it’s more reasonable,”

“I feel sad that they’re closing,” Palke says, “because now I’m going to be out of a job for winter break.”

Palke goes on to say that she will continue to work at Happy Jack’s due to the amazing clientele and her coworkers.
McHenrys food culture will have to adapt to the changes this diner is going to make. Many community members can’t wait until those doors open again and the aroma of nostalgia arrives once more.

“The plan is to help train and teach the new owners the business so they can do many many more years and make people happy because that’s what we love to do,” Moos says.