Until the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to his regular duties at Spanky's, Matthew Hanson served as the bar manager for the rural Frazee restaurant. These days, he helps answer phones, fill to-go orders and does whatever he can to help keep the business running. (Submitted photo)

By Vicki Gerdes and Vicki Gerdes

June 02, 2020 at 6:00 AM

Editor’s note: Several residents have risked their own safety and/or overcome personal obstacles in order to help keep the community going during the coronavirus pandemic. This series provides a glimpse into their lives and work. They are ... The Essentials.

"Courage is grace under pressure."

This quote from author Ernest Hemingway is Matthew Hanson’s favorite, and since all bars and restaurants in Minnesota closed their dine-in and bar facilities March 17 to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the Spanky’s Stone Hearth bar manager has done his best to live up to it.

“Social distancing and the governor’s stay-at-home order has pretty much eliminated my job, since the bar can’t be open,” Hanson said during an interview in the first few weeks of the shutdown. “I’m grateful I can still come to work and help fulfill the to-go orders and play a role in keeping the restaurant running under these circumstances.”

“I made the decision early on that if I felt healthy, I would want to keep working and help out the business and our community,” he added.

Hanson first started work at Spanky’s “11 summers ago,” with the last six years being full-time and year-round.

“When I was younger, I filled in as a busser and dishwasher,” he said.

In May 2011, when the restaurant reopened after a devastating August 2010 fire that destroyed the kitchen and part of the dining area, Hanson started bartending.

“I had zero experience behind the bar and had to learn on the job and perfect my craft,” he said.

His favorite part of the job, he added, is getting to know his clientele.

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“I enjoy building relationships with our regular guests,” he said. But since the pandemic shifted his job duties in another direction, Hanson has also come to appreciate “everyone on our team working together and creating something to be proud of.”
Where once his work days were filled with purchasing wine and liquor to keep the bar stocked, curating menus and serving customers, Hanson’s recent duties have involved “answering phones, making salads and organizing to-go orders, retail purchases and working with vendors.”

"Matthew epitomizes a model employee and is very well respected in our business as a punctual, hardworking and trustworthy manager," said Josh Hanson, owner and proprietor of Spanky's Stone Hearth, who also happens to be Matthew’s cousin. "He shows leadership through his ability to communicate and execute in a professional manner with patrons and fellow employees.”

Matthew Hanson is happy to be able to provide Spanky's Stone Hearth customers with to-go orders, though his regular job as bar manager dried up as a result of the governor's decision to shut down the dine-in facilities at all Minnesota bars and restaurants during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Submitted photo)

Spanky’s erstwhile bar manager says he has a 10-minute drive from his home west of Vergas to get to work every day. Just as his work routine has altered significantly, Hanson added, his time away from work is being spent a bit differently, as well.

“I’ve been exploring old and new hobbies with my extra free time,” he said. “I also try to stay current on the news.”

This week, restrictions on bars and restaurants in Minnesota were relaxed, allowing for outdoor seating and service in some cases.

Meanwhile, Hanson stays focused.

“I’m wondering what the ‘new normal’ for bars and restaurants will be, and how we can continue to serve our community,” he said.

The essentials of Matthew Hanson

Title: Bar Manager at Spanky’s Stone Hearth

Job duties: Before closure: purchasing wine and liquor, curating wine and cocktail lists; service at night. After closure: answering phones, making salads and organizing to-go orders, retail purchases and working with vendors.

The impact of social distancing: “Social distancing and the Minnesota governor’s stay at home order has pretty much eliminated my job, since the bar can’t be open. I’m grateful I can still come to work and help fulfill the to-go orders and play a role in keeping the restaurant running under these circumstances. Home life is about the same, although my free time is spent much differently.

What you’ve done to cope: “Exploring old and new hobbies with extra free time.”

What you’ll remember most about this time: “The generosity and loyalty of our guests.”

The Essentials: Bartender takes on new duties to keep Spanky's running

The essentials of Matthew Hanson