Local food truck owner opens first brick and mortar out of former Humdingers restaurant

PALMER — Omnivore food truck owner, Emerald Kroeker recently opened her first brick and mortar restaurant out of the former Humdingers facility in downtown Palmer.

“It’s going pretty good so far,” Kroeker said.

The new restaurant shares the same name as its food truck predecessor. Kroeker said the Omnivore restaurant is currently in the middle of its soft opening period, meaning that they’re taking walk in and to-go orders but they’re asking for the public’s grace as they adjust to open 100 percent.

“I just want to make sure everyone is 100 percent,” Kroeker said.

Kroeker said that her two-year anniversary of running the Omnivore food truck is in March. She said that she didn’t really anticipate opening a full-fledged restaurant, especially this early in her career as a small business owner.

She said it was a combination of finding an opportunity she couldn’t pass up and seeing her friend and fellow food trucker operator Amanda Graydon make the leap to start her own brick-and-mortar restaurant in Wasilla.

“Honestly it was a complete snap decision,” Kroeker said with a laugh.

According to Kroeker, Humdinger’s Pizza Company owner Gordan Fletcher closed Palmer’s iconic restaurant due to out-of-state family matters.

“I think he’s tired of managing from afar,” Kroeker said.

Kroeker said that Fletcher posted in her local food truck group on Facebook to see if anyone would be interested in moving into the facility. She said that she followed up with him and ultimately decided to take him up on his offer.

“The deal he gave me here was really good. It’s more than I ever could have asked for,” Kroeker said.

The Omnivore restaurant features the most popular items from the food truck along with several new choices. Kroeker said that she plans to rotate the menu on a regular basis. She said that her goal for the restaurant is an extension of what she set out to do two years ago when she first opened her food truck, providing healthy and flavorful meals from scratch.

“I just like food that tastes good,” Kroeker said with a laugh.

There are currently five staff members at the Omnivore restaurant. Kroeker said that she’s still getting used to running a restaurant with so much space compared to her small, mobile operation.

“I feel like it’s completely different than the food truck. I feel like I’m learning the business all over again,”

Kroeker said that she plans to retain the Omnivore food truck, but she plans to only set up the food truck at special events this year. She said that she intends to grow both business ventures over time and take every lesson she gains along for the ride.

“I feel like it’s really fulfilling to learn as you’re doing it. It sticks a little bit better when you’re going to learn or you’re going to drown. Sink or swim,” Kroeker said with a laugh. “I guess I like to put myself under pressure because I perform best there.”

The Omnivore restaurant features beverages from Juice Box Alaska, a local establishment located just a few miles away. Kroeker said that she plans to incorporate products from 203 Kombucha and other local businesses in the future. She said that she’s had a lot of positive feedback and encouragement from both local businesses owners.

“I feel like I’m getting a little bit of ‘reaping what you sew’ kind of thing going on. It’s all people I spent time working with the last two years now helping me with my business. That was really cool,” Kroeker said.

The Omnivore restaurant will celebrate its grand opening during St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. There will be live music by Emma Hill, giveaways, and other activities throughout the event.

Omnivore is open Tuesday through Saturday. It’s located at 173 South Valley in Palmer. For more information, call 907-290-1653 or visit omnivorealaska.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com