Success Stories

McGoon’s Taxi Co. Pub & Restaurant and Goonie’s Comedy Club, Rochester

Rochester’s downtown is pretty quiet once the nine-to-five workers leave for home. Mark Klampe, a Rochester native, and his wife, Jasmine, realized that they needed “something to do” in Rochester.

For years, Mark and Jasmine had been talking about starting a restaurant and comedy club based loosely on Mark’s great-grandparent’s tales. With the help of an SBA 504 loan, the idea became a reality in the beginning 2006. McGoon’s Taxi Co. Pub & Restaurant and Goonie’s Comedy Club are located in downtown Rochester on the first and second floors of the historic Olmsted County Bank and Trust building. The names of the businesses are derived from Mark’s great-grandparents, Howard and Marian “Goonie” McGoon. The couple owned a taxicab service in Rochester in the early 1920’s to mid ‘50’s.

McGoon’s is set up as a 1920’s style pub with a full menu and bar. Photos and memorabilia adorn the walls and plans are in the works to add more seating. Goonie’s Comedy Club has received rave reviews from the community and has sold out every weekend. The club has nationally touring comedians perform every Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 PM and 10:00 PM.

In researching financing options for the club and restaurant, Mark and Jasmine knew they needed working capital. One of the benefits of the SBA 504 program is freeing up cash for working capital needs. With a low monthly payment, down payment, and 20-year fixed interest rate, Mark believed the 504 program best fit his business’s needs.

McGoon’s Taxi Co. Pub & Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Monday thru Saturday. Take out orders for the restaurant or reservations for Goonies’s Comedy Club can be made by calling (507) 288-8130.