Editor’s note: The Daily Press features a profile of an area business each week. This week’s featured business is Jack’s Restaurant of Rapid River.

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By Jordan Beck

jbeck@dailypress.net

RAPID RIVER — Since the 1940s, Jack’s Restaurant has served residents of and visitors to Rapid River. The business’ current owners are Bobbi Ryan and Cynthia Ivy, who took ownership of the restaurant in 2015.

“It was started in 1943 by the Miller family,” Ivy said.

Ivy and Ryan bought Jack’s from John Miller — the great-grandson of its original owner and namesake.

“He had been here for a long time, and he was ready to let it go,” Ryan said.

Before becoming a co-owner of the restaurant, Ryan had worked there for two years.

“Today, we focus on community, and (what) we call a ‘scratch kitchen,'” she said.

Jack’s number-one seller is its Reuben sandwich. Other popular items at the restaurant include hand-pattied burgers, Friday fish fries, Sunday dinners and desserts.

“We’re known for the big cinnamon (rolls) and our pies,” Ryan said.

Though many popular items at Jack’s have been offered there for years, the restaurant is also working to expand its menu. Recently, Jack’s added a salad bar; Ryan noted people have been responding positively to the addition.

Along with this, Jack’s has been experimenting with new items via its summer weekly specials.

Ivy said Jack’s is not only a restaurant, but a “hub” for Rapid River as a community.

“Conversations are not limited to a table … people know each other, so they talk across the restaurant,” she said.

As part of this, the restaurant has made financial contributions to good causes in the area.

“We do a lot of community support,” Ryan said.

Looking forward, Ryan said she is interested in adding outdoor seating for customers at Jack’s. Ivy said the restaurant plans to add a bike repair station this summer.

“We get a lot of bike tourists,” Ivy said.

Ryan thanked the community and the people working at Jack’s for making its continued success possible.

“We have a very dedicated and loyal staff,” she said.

For more information, find “Jack’s Restaurant Rapid River Michigan” on Facebook.