Throughout Black History Month, we will be featuring Black people from Rochester’s history. We will also be sharing important resources and information. Follow along as we recognize the many Black people who have helped shape our community, and the countless contributions they have made.
Whether you’re a regular at John Hardy’s Bar-B-Q, or have only seen the black and yellow signs on the small brown buildings as you drive by, do you ever wonder about the face you see on the sign?
If you guessed that it’s John Hardy, you’re right! We were lucky enough to speak to some of John’s family and share a bit of his history with you.
Early Life
John Hardy was born on February 4th, 1921 in Birmingham, Alabama.
Hardy was from a large family, with six sisters and two brothers. John enlisted in the United States Army while in his 20s. He served during WWII and was stationed at The China-Burma-India Theater (CBI).
After the war, Hardy lived in Buffalo, New York, where he worked at a steel mill factory. While working, he suffered an injury when a piece of steel got into his eye. Unfortunately, he lost his eye in the accident. Soon after, he stopped working at the factory.
A New Beginning
Wanting to travel, John Hardy headed for Minnesota to visit his sister, Amilee Cook. She and her husband Ted “Teddy” Cook owned a barbeque restaurant in Minneapolis. Ted Cook’s 19th Hole has been around since 1968 and is still in business today. The restaurant, under new management, is still known for exceptional food and delicious smoked meats.
While visiting Minnesota, Hardy learned the ins and outs of both the restaurant business and making great barbeque from the best. At his restaurant, Teddy taught John all he knew, which included the secret sauce that John Hardy’s Bar-B-Q serves today.
Soon after, John decided to open his own business, but he wasn’t sure where. After looking for a location in Duluth, he decided that Rochester was a better fit. He liked the size of the city, and he started to plan his new venture.
Upon arriving in Rochester, Hardy stayed at the Avalon Hotel. The Avalon was opened to allow Black travelers and Mayo Clinic patients a safe place to reside while they were in town, as no other hotels in the area would accept Black guests. Until 1960, the hotel was the only location of its kind in Rochester. Today, the hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Read more on the story behind the Avalon Hotel in this Rochester Mom post.
The Start of a Rochester Staple
When the restaurant first opened, it served take-out only. John had a small space at the front of the Doyle Connor concrete company building, located on 3rd Avenue Southeast. Across the street was the Gopher Bottling Company. Hardy’s family says that he was at that location for eight years.
His wife Vivian recalls the first day of opening:
“He was so excited and nervous. He had everything ready to go and the wood was in the pit ready to be lit, but he didn’t have any matches.” She remembers having to run across the street to borrow some to get the fire going. Vivian said how proud John was after his first day in business. He made $50.00 that day.
There have been many stories passed down since the time of John’s restaurant opening. On more than one occasion, John would see the men from Gopher Bottling Co. running over to tell him that his chimney was on fire.
Soon after opening, John Hardy’s Bar-B-Q became a favorite place to eat for many, especially Mayo Clinic and IBM employees. The restaurant, now with two locations in Rochester, is still popular today.
About John
John was known for his outgoing personality. He was well-liked by many and had a great sense of humor. Standing at over six feet tall, John was known as a gentle giant.
Oddly enough, for the most part John was a vegetarian. He would only eat some meat or fish on occasion.
John met his wife Vivian in 1972, the same year that he opened John Hardy’s Bar-B-Q. The couple married at a small ceremony in Reno, Nevada on January 2, 1980. Once back in Rochester, they had a reception with family and customers in attendance.
Throughout the years, Hardy sponsored various sports teams in Rochester. He had two children, and now has six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. John passed away from colon cancer on October 28, 1986 at the age of 65.
John’s son, Michael Sr. passed away in 2008. His daughter Amilee Novak lives in Grand Rapids, Minnesota with her husband and three sons.
Some of Hardy’s grandchildren still live in the Rochester area. Although they were very young when John passed away, they’ve heard many stories about their grandfather. Their mother Linda Johnson recalls, “When others find out they are talking to a grandchild of John’s it’s like meeting a celebrity.”
John Hardy’s Bar-B-Q 50th Anniversary
Since John Hardy opened the doors in 1972, the barbeque restaurant has always been a popular eatery in Rochester. It’s currently under management outside of the Hardy family. According to their Facebook page, the restaurant is celebrating “50 Years of smokin’ and saucing” this year.
Supporting Black-Owned Businesses and Organizations
Check out this Rochester Mom piece to support Rochester MN Area BIPOC Owned Businesses.
See this Rochester Mom Give 5 post for local organizations to give your time or money, if you are able.
Sources
A special thank you to the following:
Aimilee Novak, John’s daughter
Vivian Hardy, John’s wife
Linda Johnson, mother of John’s grandchildren
