Round-Abouts Restaurant serves a variety of pot pies made fresh, from scratch, daily. Four flavors of our muffin-sized pies, called Rounds, are prepared for breakfast, along with nine additional flavors for lunch and dinner. Five dessert flavors are offered in a smaller size, called Yo-Yos. Round-Abouts also offers a selection of soups, green salads, fruit salads and chips. Bev Kellison is a co-owner of Round-Abouts.
How did you get started in the business? – My son, Nate, daughter-in-law Kirstin and I started daydreaming about owning and operating a restaurant. Nate mentioned he had never seen the “Reuben Roll”, a favorite dish from his childhood, served in a restaurant, so perhaps that would be a unique idea to try. Kirstin suggested making this Reuben Roll, or basically Reuben sandwich ingredients in a pie crust, in muffin tins. This worked, and we were on our way to having a restaurant.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – In our restaurant business, figuring out how to meet the ongoing expenses of a startup business that is not yet paying its way.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Completing a master’s degree while working full-time and raising a family.
Tell me a little about your family. – I grew up with my parents and two older brothers. My husband had two little girls when we married, and together we had two sons. I have been richly blessed as all four children have wonderful spouses and I have six wonderful grandchildren, ranging in age from 22 years to 1 week old.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – The unexpected death of my husband in 2007. We had always lived conservatively, in terms of finances, living within our means and saving toward a comfortable, debt-free retirement with some inheritance for our kids. Without him, retirement no longer seemed interesting; so when my younger son, Lucas, asked me to help him build a recording studio (SadSon Music Group) in 2009, I sought and received the wisdom of trusted advisers and decided to go ahead. This project was so much fun that when the restaurant idea started developing in 2010, I wanted to try that too!
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I enjoy spending time with family members or friends, going to a movie or concert, or going out to eat at a fun place.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – To fly, because I don’t like driving!
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – Teaching children. I’ve been deeply devoted, for the past decade, to a ministry for kids in west Lincoln. Our school year program is called “Kids Are Great” and our summer program is “Sundaes on Mondays”.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Favorite book – Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton; Last good book read – Tattoos on the Heart by Greg Boyle, S.J.
What is your favorite movie? – Favorite classic – “To Kill a Mockingbird”; Favorite recent – “Les Miserables”.
What is your favorite TV show? – I like in-depth news programs or home and garden shows.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Jim Cymbala, pastor of The Brooklyn Tabernacle, to learn more about how they successfully help broken, suffering people move towards wholeness.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – By phone at (402) 261-9498 or you can visit our website at www.roundaboutsrestaurant.com.