A Family Affair: Why Working at Keys is More Than Just a Job
At Keys Cafe & Bakery, work doesn’t start with a clock-in. It begins with family, tradition, and a shared purpose that spans generations. For decades, Keys has been a place where love for food and community blends with the stories of children growing up behind the counter, rolling dough, and learning life lessons alongside their parents. For many, working at Keys isn’t just about serving up comfort food—it’s about being part of something bigger.
Starting Young, Learning Fast
“I started working here at 13. I would get up and make hamburger buns, eat breakfast, and then go back to sleep,” laughs Celine Dinauer, recalling her early morning kitchen shifts. Her experience is just one of many in a long line of family members who were introduced to hard work and responsibility through Keys. The café has long been a training ground for the next generation—sometimes whether they were ready or not.
“I had no choice. When I was 13 my mom needed a weekend breakfast cook. That’s where I was needed and that’s how I started my career in the family business,” says Jeannie Hunn, with a shrug that only comes from years of fond memories and flour-covered aprons. Jeannie’s not alone. “I was 10 years old at the cash register,” remembers Roy Hunn, highlighting just how early the entrepreneurial spirit begins at Keys.
From Generations of Passion
At the heart of Keys is Barbara Hunn, one of the original founders and a matriarch whose influence is felt in every fresh-baked cinnamon roll and warmly greeted customer. “They learned and observed from me,” she says proudly of her children and grandchildren. For Barbara, work has always been about more than a paycheck—it’s about values, community, and leading by example.
The Hunn family isn’t the only one to feel this calling. Carol Hunn, another Keys trailblazer, shared her own drive: “I wanted to be my own boss.” That simple desire sparked the energy that helped make Keys what it is today—a beloved Minnesota institution with soul.
More Than a Restaurant
For some, Keys was the first place they discovered their love for food—and people. “It was pretty cool working at my parent’s restaurant. I learned how to cook and do prep,” says Jon Paul Proulx, showing how hands-on experience at a young age instilled skills that would last a lifetime.
Frankie Collyard, a familiar face to many regulars, sums it up best: “I love making people happy. I like seeing the smiles.” And really, that’s what Keys has always been about—creating joy, one plate and one person at a time.
A Legacy of Love and Labor
Working at Keys is about waking up early to make hamburger buns and getting back in bed with flour still on your hands. It’s about learning to use a cash register before you’re tall enough to see over it. It’s about family dinners that turn into business meetings, laughter echoing through the kitchen, and the kind of pride that comes from building something together.
Collyard said “We are so grateful to have the best customers who keep coming back week after week.”
In a world that’s always moving, Keys remains rooted in its values: family, hard work, and genuine care for people. Whether you’re 10 or 60, a regular or a new hire, once you’re part of Keys, you’re part of something special.
Because at Keys, it’s not just a job. It’s family.
