Above: Over the last six years Paul and Cara Sporn have created a familyfriendly atmosphere at their restaurant, My Sister’s Place. Three of their biggest helpers are their children, Ethan, Ella and Piper (held by mommy.) Right: Recently the Sporns added onto the restaurant, creating additional space for 15 more diners. Local contractors did all of the nifty handiwork, adhering to the Northwoods theme as seen in the two photos to the right.
How fast has time flown for Paul and Cara Sporn, owners and operators of My Sister’s Place restaurant?
“It doesn’t seem like it, but in June, we will have been here six years,” said Paul, gazing about his establishment last Monday as it filled up with the noonday lunch crowd.
Over that time the couple, with input from their staff, has made quite a few changes to the menu, adding a wide variety of soups, entree salads, stone baked pizzas, and calzones while keeping the signature burgers and sandwiches offered by Sarah and Anna Hamilton, the first proprietors and founders of My Sister’s Place.
The changes have resulted in a big thumbs up from their customers and a steady growth in business.
“We’re up 10 percent this winter over last winter,” said Paul.
One of the new additions includes grass-fed bison burgers, which, said Paul, goes well with the restaurant’s new sweet potato fries.
Paul began working in restaurants when he was 14. “I worked at Angeleno’s, a pizza place in the northwest suburbs of the Twin Cities. Everything we did there was homemade. This is what we are doing here with our pizzas. We make the dough, the sausage, and our sauce. We’re getting better and better at it,” he added.
The Sporns added stonebaked pizzas a little more than a year ago and the sale of pizza and calzones now make up about 20 percent of the business, and, said Paul, “The calzones are more popular right now than the pizzas.”
After college Cara worked in human resources and Paul worked in sales and catering. My Sister’s Place is the first restaurant the couple has owned, and they have found the North Shore a good fit for them.
“One thing that we did not think of initially when buying the restaurant was the opportunity to give back to the community through fundraising events,” said Cara.
Above: Piper wants to know where her dishrag is, but big brother Ethan and sister Ella are too busy to let their little sister help. Besides, Piper would probably spend more time sucking on the rag than drying dishes anyway. Maybe next year she’ll be big enough to lend a hand.
“We host an annual fundraising dinner each fall to raise money for the ALS Foundation. We also participate in the EATS dinner that raises money for Cook County schools. In addition to these events we also support other local organizations through donations. Local sports teams, the robotics team, WTIP, Cook County hockey and several others.”
Recently the couple expanded their business, adding room for an additional 15 seats. While the new space is comfortable, it doesn’t change the family feel or charm of the restaurant.
“I want to thank all of the local contractors who helped us with this,” said Paul. “We had the Smith Brothers do the kitchen remodel as well as the restaurant addition.
“Tod Sylvester did all of the tile work and Superior Heating did the upgrades to our heating/ plumbing system. Dave Bartol and Jonathon Hedstrom did all of the electrical work. We really appreciated all of their efforts,” said Paul.
If the staff seems relaxed, capable and friendly, it is.
“Cara and I strongly value our employees and are thankful for all of their hard work. Several of our employees have been with us since we purchased the business. It is because of their dedication and hard work that we are able to provide good food and service to our customers,” said Paul.
Cara and Paul have three children, Ethan, 10, Ella, 6, and Piper, 18 moths. Cara has had to cut back at the restaurant since the addition of Piper.
When asked if Piper keeps them up at night, Paul grinned and said, “Not much anymore. Well, maybe once or twice a week.”
“Ethan and Ella love to help out at the restaurant and we imagine that Piper will also want to help when she is old enough, because she loves to do whatever her big brother and sister are up to,” said Cara.
Both Paul and Cara are hands-on owners who will step in where needed and can often be found cooking, waiting tables or doing dishes and clean-up.
When Paul isn’t at the business he is either with his family or at work with one of many organizations he volunteers for. “I am extremely involved with the Hockey Association and I am on the steering committee for the new proposed community center. I am also on the board of trustees for the community center and I am on the board of the Grand Marais Area Tourism Association (GMATA).
“I am hoping the addition of the community center will help draw young families to the area. I am passionate about making this a great place for young people to live,” said Paul, adding, “Cara and I have fallen in love with the North Shore. We feel like this is our home now.”
Leave a Reply