The Family Business: Cabin Store

BARNES, Wis. - From the outside it seems like your typical convenience store.But walk through the front door at Cabin Store and you have all you need.For the last 14 years, PJ Foat has helped run his parent's shop."It's like a small Kwik Trip in the little town of 570 I think it is, or 600," he said. "It's really a well-known name. The Cabin Store is well known throughout the whole state."It's a bar, restaurant, grocery store, gas station, bakery and bait shop all in one."A lot of people come in just to ask us, about our family history," said Foat.That is what Patrick Foat, the owner of Cabin Store, knows best."My mom and dad, my dad died in 74, my wife and I helped my mom run it for two years, my brother had it for 17 years, then my sister had it, and now it's back to us," he said.The original building was a 14 x 14 cabin owned by a couple after the war. Since then, the Foat's have been running the show."A lot of people are happy that it's still in our family and they just come here because they like speaking with us and we try to give everybody a good time," said PJ.Even PJ's kids, 12 year old Davin and 9 year old Logan, are part of the team."I've known this place since I was really little and I've always loved just to come and hang out," said Davin."We both sometimes work the cash register, kind of take turns, and I stock the cooler and I help put away the orders that we get," said Logan.It's a unique family affair the Foat's say is the key to their success."It's tough, especially nowadays, for small businesses to get by. And for one, to have it survive for 14 years, I think that makes a statement in itself how much we love it," said PJ.Ask any of the regulars and they'll tell you the Foat's are like family."It is really nice knowing everybody that comes through the door. So it's like everybody is an extended family," said TJ Hall, PJ's wife.If you're new to town, don't be shy. They've got a seat for you right at the bar."We always tell people to come back because you never know what it's going to look like the next time you come," said Patrick.As for the future of Cabin Store, Patrick said he doesn't really know where it is going."It's survival of the fittest right now, and I think as long as we keep our nose to the grindstone, we'll succeed," he said.But one thing's for sure, the Foat name will carry on with the kids taking over one day."Yes actually, but grandma says not until we get our business degree," said Davin.Until then, Patrick and his wife will continue the tradition of four generations in the service industry."We've always been around people and like the interaction with them, and probably will be doing it until I die," said Patrick.