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Born on the same day and year, Sept. 23, 1952, Harry and Roxanna
McKaig are a husband and wife who often take an adventurous route
when charting their next course. When Harry was searching for a
new career and the couple wanted to move their family from the crime
and frenetic pace of New Jersey, they packed their belongings and
journeyed across the country to a simpler life in rural Oregon.
Then, after a successful venture operating a New York hot dog stand,
they bought the only restaurant in Imbler, a town of 380 situated
amid the Blue Mountains along the Hell's Canyon Scenic Byway in
northeast Oregon.
Now, because of Harry's continuing health problems -- he has
experienced five heart attacks and one open-heart surgery resulting
in five bypasses -- the long hours have proven to be too exhaustive
for the couple.
They are now searching for a new owner who is passionate about
living the American dream in a small rural town where customers
include farmers who pull into the parking lot behind the wheel of a
combine, outdoor enthusiasts flock to the area for its rich hunting
and fishing, and locals gather at the cafe and the nearby country
store for lively conversation.
Rather than posting a "for sale" sign, the couple is giving their
40-seat restaurant to the person who writes the most compelling
essay. The winner receives, free and clear, the deed to the cafe and
land, everything in it, plus $50,000 in initial capital with no
restrictions -- all for an entry fee of $150 and an essay that
begins with "I would like to own Ma & Pa's Cafe because…" and is
followed by 500 words or less of descriptive prose. A full
description of the rules, regulations, guidelines and pictures can
be found at www.winacafe.com.
"The American dream is to have your own business," Harry said.
"With this essay contest, we feel that we are giving someone an
opportunity to live that dream by using their creative skills and
expressing why they want to own and operate Ma & Pa's Cafe."
The contest will continue through Aug. 1, at which time a group
of judges will review the essays over a "six- to eight-week time
period."
"The number of judges and finalists will depend on the number of
entries received," Harry explains.
Each judge will divide the essays into two groups and narrow them
down through a series of elimination rounds, much like a basketball
tournament. Imagination, creativity, expression of thought, wit and
positive social values are among the qualities included in the
judging criteria. When the finalists are determined, the McKaigs
will select a winner.
"You don't have to be a professional writer," Roxanna said. "We
just want to find someone who best explains his or her reasons for
wanting to own a cafe in Imbler."
During the judging period, judges will be unknown to each other,
and identities of participants will be undisclosed as well, since
essays must include words like "I" and "we" instead of specific
names.
"We have no control over who the finalists will be, since the
judges are choosing them and … identities of the participants are
unknown," Harry explained.
The McKaigs' path to Imbler started more than 3,000 miles east in
New Jersey, where the couple met in elementary school.
"I was her paperboy when I was 10 years old. She didn't like me
too much, though. She always used to kick me," Harry said with a
laugh. "Then, when we were in ninth grade, I asked her to a dance.
She said yes, and we've been together ever since."
[to top of second column in this article]
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 After serving four years in the Army, Harry worked in retail
management for Texaco before the hours, the career, and the fast
pace and high crime left him looking for a lifestyle change.
His brother lived in LaGrande, a town of 16,000 located 12 miles
from Imbler, and that is where the McKaigs settled in the early
1990s. Heart problems sent Harry into forced early retirement for a
while, and then the McKaigs decided to open a New York hot dog stand
in downtown LaGrande.
"We called it Poppy's Tastee Dogs, and we would sell 18,000
frankfurters in only six months," he said. "Even now, when I walk
around LaGrande, people call me Poppy."
In addition to a fully paid mortgage and $50,000, the essay
contest winner will assume ownership of a cafe that grossed $124,000
in 2004 serving only lunch and dinner.
McKaig initially offered breakfast but then stopped. "I don't
know how to make eggs; I truly believe it's an art," Harry said with
a laugh. "So I decided that we would focus on lunch and dinner. On
the last morning we served breakfast, we had four tables. I got so
frustrated in not being able to get the eggs right, I came out to
each table and said, ‘Here's $20 for breakfast at Denny's.' The
funny thing about that was no one took up my offer; each table
returned the money. Only in a rural community would this have
happened. I know the townspeople would appreciate it if the new
owner would serve breakfast."
To ensure that every legal base is covered, the McKaigs consulted
with a private attorney and the state attorney general's office,
which says that there is an assortment of guidelines to be met when
selling a business through an essay contest. The main requirement
stipulates that the contest must by one of skill, not of chance.
"Our essay contest is based on writing and communication skills,"
Harry said. "The winning essay will be selected strictly for its
words. We talked to the attorney general's office and set up this
contest strictly to their guidelines."
As required by the law, entry fees will be deposited into a
non-interest-bearing account until the winner is selected, Harry
said. Each essay must begin with " I would like to own Ma & Pa's
Cafe because…" and can be followed with a maximum of 500 words. The
essay must be sent through U.S mail, not in person, and must be
accompanied by a check or money order for $150. The McKaigs reserve
the right to extend the entry deadline beyond Aug. 1 if the minimum
of 2,000 entries is not reached by that time. The contest may be
canceled if it appears enough entries will not be received. "If so,
refunds will be given in full," Harry said.
The McKaigs believe that the contest will generate at least the
minimum number of entries and that a new owner will realize the
dream of operating his or her own business. The couple, who live in
LaGrande, will remain in the area.
"We'll be available for advice if the new owner wants it," Harry
said. "We're doing everything we can to make sure the winner has
long-term success."
The McKaigs say they will also eat at the cafe, where the menu
includes everything from T-bone steaks and boneless rib-eyes to
Reuben sandwiches and flame-broiled Angus burgers.
"I may even stop in for breakfast," Harry said with a grin. "I
like eating eggs much more than I do making them."
For more information, visit
www.winacafe.com.
[News release]
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