BAYFIELD – Nearing the end of his 34-year health care career, Wendell Heck sought a new work endeavor and explored the restaurant industry.
He quickly discovered The Pine Cone was up for sale in own his backyard in Bayfield, so he and his wife, Holly Heck, also a health care professional, became co-owners of the Bayfield burger and ice cream eatery.
The Hecks took the reins on Sept. 14, replacing Tim Sapa, who sold the restaurant before moving to Oregon to be closer to his children.
“It was time, and he was moving on,” Wendell said. “We’ve been friends a long time, and I’ve helped him along the way here.”
He said that having previous experience as a radiology director, he managed budgets, contracts and employees, which made it an “easy transition” to managing The Pine Cone and its employees.
He also said he enjoys being able to mentor teenage employees whose first job may be at the restaurant.
The Pine Cone, located at 271 N. Mountain View Drive near Brenda’s Old West Cafe, used to be a Long John Silvers and A&W chain restaurant.
The Hecks have called Bayfield home since 2006, and they were drawn to the prospect of owning The Pine Cone, which opened in 2015 and has since become a popular hangout for Bayfield High School athletes.
“They come here after practice, all of them, football, basketball, cheerleaders. This is a go-to place,” Wendell said.
Holly, who does mammography at Mercy Hospital but helps oversee marketing and managerial matters at The Pine Cone, said she appreciates that element of The Pine Cone because it reminds her of a malt shop she and friends hung out at after school and before events while growing up in southeast Louisiana.
“I think (The Pine Cone’s) just a great place just to cut up as teenagers. … I think they feel comfortable here to be able to do that,” she said.
She said it’s a place where residents can eat quality food without having to drive to Durango.
“It’s not frozen food,” she said. “It’s fresh made every time.”
Although there was a bit of a learning curve in managing costs, inventory and order turnaround times, Wendell said the current management staff and prior ownership helped ensure a quick and easy transition.
Aside from resuming some of the more popular monthly menu specials, such as fried pickles and spicy chipotle chicken sandwiches, the Hecks are pondering adding new menu items starting in January. The Hecks may also incorporate an online ordering option in the near future.
mhollinshead@durangoherald.com
