Russell’s On the Lake closed their doors December 12. The restaurant/catering business has been a staple in Big Lake for 34 years.

Larry and Mark Sperr bought the restaurant from Russell and Lynn Vetsch, four and a half years ago. Russell and Lynn opened Russell’s on the Lake in 1987, after having success with Russell’s in St. Michael. 

Russell and Lynn were ready to retire in 2017 and sold the business to Larry and Mark Sperr.

The Sperr brothers recently sold the business to the restaurant chain, “Willy McCoys.”

The restaurant provided an upscale place to eat while enjoying the picturesque view of Big Lake. It was the place to go for a celebration of any kind.

Thirty-four years of anniversary dinners, weddings, work meetings, Christmas parties, showers, lunches, and night out on the town dinners and catered events. Russells was a nice place for locals to go but the popularity was widespread and many people came out from the cities to dine. The atmosphere and the friendly service kept people coming back.

In an interview with Larry Sperr, the day before Russell’s On the Lake would close for good, Larry shared his thoughts. 

Bittersweet.

“ It has been a good experience,” said Larry. 

This reporter asked, “What are you going to miss the most?” 

He replied, “ My staff, they have been great. I could always count on them. And, of course, the people in the community. They have been wonderful and welcoming.”

Owning a business is always tough. Would Sperr do it again if he had the chance? 

“Yes, I have no regrets,” he said. “I gave it a shot and had success. It’s time for a new chapter. I am going to take a month off to relax and figure out what the new chapter is going to be.”

This reporter walked through Russell’s On the Lake one last time and noticed there was a big group having lunch. They were asked, “would you mind posing for a picture?”

They enthusiastically said, “Yes!” 

The Vitale and Shaughnessy families were having their annual holiday celebration. 

“We have been coming here for 25 years,” said a family member. “We are really going to miss this place.” 

It is truly the consensus around town.