EDDY'S IS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER THE VIEW CONTINUES TO REEL IN GUESTS

By VIVIAN LaMOORE, INAAJIMOWIN EDITOR

After roughly two years of closure due to the pandemic, Eddy’s on Mille Lacs Lake is once again open seven days a week, ready to reel in guests, hooking them with genuine hospitality in both hotel and restaurant service. “It’s been a whirlwind!” said Ginger Weyaus, Eddy’s Resort Manager.

The resort reopened on May 12, 2023, the Friday of Minnesota fishing opener. Weyaus took on the role as Resort Manager on April 26. With slightly over two weeks before the grand reopening, Weyaus said she was accepting of the challenge and ready to cast a line into the waters of Eddy’s. “We were focused on getting the property back to the way it was, making it successful, and figuring out how we were going to make it all happen,” she said.

Weyaus brings with her comprehensive training and experience and a network of team players to help navigate the waters of the hospitality industry.

“Ginger joining Eddy’s Resort is a positive placement for our team,” said Tracy Sam, General Manager of Grand Casino Mille Lacs. “Her extensive knowledge and experience brings a valuable perspective to her new role.”

Previous to her position at Eddy’s, she was the Director of Hospitality for Grand Casino Mille Lacs. She had joined the Grand Casino Mille Lacs Development Directors cohort. The kickoff to the program was in 2021, with the goal of placing an emphasis on Mille Lacs Band members in leadership for gaming operations. Since the program began, 16 Band member participants are now in key leadership positions. One of the most beneficial elements of the program for Weyaus was the “opportunity to sit in at high-level meetings to listen in and learn all of the moving parts, like marketing, accounting pieces, employment pieces, hospitality, and everything,” she said.

Of all of the moving pieces to management, Weyaus said probably her favorite part is hospitality. Weyaus emits a genuine warm, welcoming presence herself, with a natural and pure smile that radiates a feeling of approachability. She truly loves people, and that is paramount in the hospitality industry. “I love greeting guests and talking with them, really getting to know them,” she said. “Everyone has a story and I am interested in listening to them all.”

Building excellence in hospitality

Weyaus has been instrumental in the recent surge of success Eddy’s is currently experiencing. A success she envisions as a continuum. She gives credit to all of the teams at Grand Casino Mille Lacs, including but not limited to Hospitality, Digital Marketing, Group Sales, Banquets, and more. “We are all a great team,” she said.

“With her comprehensive understanding of both the business and the resort’s significant impact on local tourism, Ginger’s expertise will be crucial in driving our future success,” Sam said. “Her exceptional management skills and deep insights into the food and beverage industry will undoubtedly contribute to the resort’s continued growth and excellence as well.”

One key element has been staff and attitude, which go hand-in-hand, Weyaus said. “We just came on board and kept telling people, ‘If you were going to come home, how would you want this place to look? How would you want to feel when you walk in?’ and that is what we all keep in mind,” she said. “I am really grateful for the dedicated staff we have now.”

The staff continues to impress Weyaus. “I don’t have to ask, they just do it. All of the little details that are so important. They make sure windows are washed, grills are filled and ready, lawns are cut, property is maintained, wood bundles at cabins, food and service consistent, everything. They take pride in what they do. And that is really important.”

Her welcoming attitude is contagious and is palpable from all of the staff at Eddy’s. “I just love working here,” said Sherry Linder, sitting at the front desk. “I used to think working at Grand Casino Mille Lacs was the best job ever. Until I came here. I love this even more. And the view! Just look at that view!” she added with a sweeping hand towards the large window that overlooks Mille Lacs Lake.

Weyaus agreed, the view is one of the perks of the job and is one of the charming characteristics that draws guests to the resort and the Launch Bar and Grill.

Customer service is paramount

Weyaus not only expects the staff to deliver the highest level of customer service, but the staff is eager and willing to deliver and meet those expectations with calm and welcoming attitudes. The staff is intent on creating a guest experience that is impressive and consistently delivering top-notch service. That begins with the impeccable maintenance of the lawns, the docks, all landscaping, and more to create a well-maintained curb appeal and carries through to the charming, clean, and well-maintained hotel rooms to the consistent quality of food presentation, taste, and service.

Heading into the Launch, Jeremy Seagren is the Eddy’s Restaurant Operations Manager. The menu items were thoughtfully chosen to feature shareable appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, and signature entrées. The full-service bar is complete with craft beer and popular cocktails. The atmosphere is charming and boasts 20-foot-high exposed ceilings, 15-foot windows that offer great views, and a number of large-screen TVs for entertainment and a great place to catch your favorite sporting events. But the key ingredient is consistency in quality of food, presentation, and service. “Jeremy is outstanding at making sure all of the cooks are all trained to make sure the food every day is consistent and top quality — day in and day out. That makes a big impact and lasting impression on the guests,” Weyaus said.

Guest rooms are cozy and welcoming, clean, and fresh for each new guest. Eddy’s offers 64 guest rooms, one parlor suite, and four private cabins, each uniquely designed and enhanced with contemporary décor. The lakeside rooms are especially in high demand. One of the features Eddy’s is known for, aside from the fivestar view, is the launches. Unfortunately, the historic wooden boats were unsalvageable as sound lake-going vessels. As Mille Lacs is a world-class fishing lake that attracts thousands of visitors annually, Eddy’s staff is currently making recommendations to the guests on other options for launch services for the guests who wish to fish. The Eddy's team is also planning for other amenity options for the future, such as pontoons and fishing boats, as well as featuring other water entertainment, such as paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, water toys, and more.

Eddy’s is open seven days a week with the restaurant open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and open Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m. They offer shuttle service to Grand Casino Mille Lacs from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Eddy’s can accommodate everyone, including someone traveling alone or groups of up to 150. Through the casino's Group Sales and Banquet Services, Eddy's can easily accommodate family reunions, weddings, business meetings, and so much more. Eddy’s will be open throughout the winter, providing hospitality needs for all guests, including the Launch restaurant and ice fishing accommodations. As Grand Casino Mille Lacs begins to go through the remodeling of guest rooms floor by floor and tower by tower, Eddy’s will be a “quiet place” option for guests, Weyaus said.

Eddy’s is more than just a great view. It is a place where one can go to lose themselves or find themselves and a place where people can go to enjoy themselves with friends and family and make memories that will last a lifetime. “Everyone has a story. And I love to listen,” Weyaus said.