Member portrait: Kortman Lysfabrikk
With faith in your own ideas, you can go far! Here is a Systemkjøp member who is widely known for the concept and the food.
Have you ever wanted to create a place where people come from far and wide to experience your atmosphere and food? The couple Reidun and Svend Otto Søyseth have made it happen – in the middle of Trøndelag you can visit a 'real' American diner.
Implemented concept
Reidun and Svend Otto took over Norway's oldest candle manufacturer, Kortmann Lysfabrikk in Trondheim, over thirty years ago. When they bought a disused small farm in 1998 and moved right off the E6 in Åsen in Vuddudalen, the candle production was included in the move. Over the years, the couple has also had a great passion for beautiful and special objects, especially from the 50s/60s: Through flea markets in Norway and on countless road trips, especially on the east coast of the USA, they have acquired quite a few treasures. Reidun explains:
“ This is what we are passionate about: Creating a pleasant place where everyone can feel welcome! ”
– When we order new furniture from the USA, it's a shame that the containers don't fill up completely. Then we go over and fill in the last gaps with finds from local markets. – It's just become like this little by little, says Reidun modestly – and we're lucky that we have room for everything.
A place for adventures
On busy days, there can be a bit of a wait for food. Many people then take a tour of the premises and look at all the strange objects on display in the couple's own museum in the barn, and they enjoy themselves. Many people in greater Trondheim know about them, but Reidun is constantly surprised by arrivals from other parts of the country.
Passionate diner drivers: Svend Otto and Reidun Søyseth
– We experience that people drive here from Møre and Aure up here on a Saturday, with our place as their only destination. Families on vacation are really happy with the place and often return the following summer. Many want to feel the diner vibe and enjoy the American-inspired food, while others come to buy unique candles in the factory outlet. -This has simply become a getaway for many. This is what we are passionate about: creating a pleasant place where everyone can feel welcome!
Authentic diner-style food
–It even happens that people dress appropriately or dress up a little extra when they come here, says Reidun.
– And customers who don't usually drink cola, 'must' have a Coca-Cola in a glass when they stop by. – It's fun to see that people enjoy themselves here, it's a good confirmation to get. At the same time, it's important to keep up with the times and see what modern customers actually want. For Reidun and Svend Otto, it's important to offer food that appeals to all kinds of guests.
–Guests must have a reason to come, and we have really succeeded in that, says Reidun. The diner has the same basic menu all year round, with its own twist on classic diner dishes: the juicy, homemade Big Bopper burger, its own club sandwich and its own, homemade apple pie with soft ice cream. The Western Chicken Tenders, which are specially produced according to the couple's own recipe, have also become very popular.
You must be a bit strange!
We are not affiliated with any chain or lease, and can really do exactly as we want. We also don't want to be like everyone else, we want to be a little quirky! Among other things, we spend a lot of time creating unique names for the dishes on our menu, and at the same time developing our concept further in our own way.
Systemkjøp : A helping hand
But a successful diner often doesn't stand alone.
– We have had to bother Rune* (*regional manager for Trøndelag in Systemkjøp , editor's note) quite a bit, says Reidun, – and the Servicegrossisten Nær Engros in Levanger provides a great service for us! They only take in goods for our dinner, and they have a full overview of what we bought from them last year, and what we might need for the busy summer season that is just around the corner. This help is absolutely crucial for our operations.
Looking forward to hectic times
The place changes for various events throughout the year; for Christmas it's all about elves and American Christmas decorations, and for Easter it's all about yellow, both in the light sale and in the diner.
– We who run the business here are more or less at work all the time, but we hope it will be a hectic summer this year too, smiles Reidun.
She talks about a ranch salad and dressing that is popular in the summer heat, – and of course, milkshakes are huge when the sun is shining.
–We can't sit back and think that everything will work out by itself, we mustn't lose our drive. We have a few more ideas up our sleeves for new burgers that will be coming soon, Reidun smiles slyly.
Photo: Vuddu Valley
Text: Helene Ask Hunskaar