Let’s Eat

By Dana Melius

For Dane Burton, it’s been “an act of redemption” opening up his own pizza business in his hometown of Winthrop.

Burton dropped out of high school following his freshman year, then struggled again during a stint at a New Ulm-based alternative education district. But he never lost sight of his passion to cook. And he also remembered those who never gave up on him.

“He’s always wanted to have his own pizza place,” said his older sister, Christina Hopp, who now serves as manager at Poppy’s Pizza on Main & 19 in Winthrop, which opened in February 2021.

Hopp’s management allows Burton to focus on his pizza ideas and the food side of the business.

“I absolutely love working with pizza,” Burton said. “It’s fun. And having customers repeat makes it even funner.” Making a good go of it all during the height of the COVID pandemic pleased Burton as well.

“Some people wondered if it was smart to open at that time. But I’m young enough to risk it.”

Still just 25, Burton has years of restaurant experience behind him, including 3½ years as assistant manager at Turner Hall in New Ulm. Burton also previously worked for Domino’s and the Green Mill in New Ulm.

Burton considered a slight career move, getting an offer in food management at the local nursing care facility. But when the opportunity arose to open up a restaurant in the heart of his hometown, Burton Dane Burton of Poppy’s Pizza in Winthrop says “I absolutely love working with pizza.”

jumped at it. Plus, a brief stint in construction work convinced him that cooking remained his passion.

Dave and Laurie Trebelhorn, former owners of the popular Dave’s Place in Lafayette, invested into a former convenience store location on Highway 19, the east-west drive through Winthrop. They then provided some mentoring to Burton and are now leasing the facility to him. One pizza dish, “The Great Dave,” is Dave’s creation, served with red sauce, Canadian bacon, pineapple and sauerkraut.

Burton also named several other pizza items after special people in his life, including former GFW instructor Scott Robinson, now teaching at St. Peter Public Schools. It’s “Rob’s Chicken Bacon Ranch,” with a ranch-based sauce, topped with grilled chicken, bacon, spinach, fresh tomato and cheddar cheese.

Another menu item, “Kristi’s Chicken Philly,” is named after one of his favorite instructors at River Bend Education District in New Ulm.

“I was sometimes my worst enemy, but Scott and Kristi never gave up on me, even though I did at times,” Burton said.

He also named a couple of dishes after local Winthrop friends, Nic Blumhoefer and Lois Schmidt. But Burton says his most popular menu item is “The Thunderbird,” named after the GFW High School mascot. It’s the supreme pizza at Poppy’s Place, with Canadian bacon, pepperoni, ground beef, sausage, green peppers, black and green olives, onions,

Poppy’s is named after a rescue dog, and the restaurant donates to Save-A-Bull, which helps homeless pit bull dogs find homes.

mushrooms and lots of extra cheese.

But one idea the Trebelhorns tried to talk Burton out of was the name: Poppy’s Place. Burton named his first business venture after his rescue pitbull, Poppy. According to Burton, the Trebelhorns thought the name might confuse people; Burton held firm.

“My PR stunt worked,” Burton said, as community members appreciate the hometown feel of Poppy’s Place, its honoring local citizens and people who mean something special to Burton. And, of course, the rescue dog.

Burton has teamed up with Save-A-Bull Rescue of Minnesota and donates regularly to the Minneapolis-based pet adoption service from where he brought home Poppy.

Despite Burton’s COVID period opening, he credits word-of-mouth and a dedicated staff for his early success.

“That COVID opening made me realize that I was a lot more valuable than I gave myself credit for,” Burton said, yet still calls the stunning community response “baffling.”

One secret ingredient, however, was his young, spirited and dedicated staff.

“I’ve struck gold with my high school kids,” Burton said.

Burton’s early business success in Winthrop provided him with the confidence to move on another venture, this time purchasing the former Railway Bar & Grill in Sleepy Eye from longtime owners Dan and Sue Helget. The historic building, which dates back to 1908, attracted Burton, as did the changing restaurant dynamics in the Brown County community.

“Sleepy Eye kind of fell in my lap. But It’s such a historic building. Keeping the Railway name is really important to me … It’ll be my job to put together a team.”

Burton admits he might have bitten off a bit more than he and Poppy can chew, as the April 14 purchase announcement has been hit with delays, licensing considerations and additional financing needs. Burton is now hoping for a July opening in Sleepy Eye, focusing this one on comfort food.

“It’s what I enjoy cooking the most.”

Burton said he’s not trying to prove anyone wrong and fully accepts responsibility for his educational struggles. Still, he’s proud of what he’s accomplished so far.

“This isn’t about money. This is about freedom and passion.”