Golden Mine owner talks about success, plans to make restaurant even better

Back in 1979, Ismail Ajrulaj emigrated to the United States in search of a better life. So many years later, he looks back and smiles.
Owner of the Golden Mine Family Restaurant, Ajrulaj’s is one of thousands of success stories of immigrants––those who chose to make the United States their home––those who have made America truly great.
When Ajrulaj first arrived in the United States, he chose Yorkville as his home base. He had big plans but little money. There were no business grants, no low-interest loans, and no easy money in those days. If Ajrulaj wanted to live indoors and eat––and he most certainly did––he would have to find a job.
“I found a job in a restaurant,” Ajrulaj said. “It was difficult work. I washed dishes, bussed tables, and did whatever needed to be done. I even learned cooking.”
Ajrulaj often found himself working seven days a week. He’d come home exhausted, only to get up at dawn the next day and begin again. His desire to succeed pushed him to limits that most people never reach. Work meant money, and money would enable him to obtain the American Dream.
As he toiled, Ajrulaj discovered he enjoyed restaurant work. It was grueling, yes, but people would always need to eat.
As he washed dishes bussed tables, and tried his hand at cooking, Ajrulaj became increasingly aware of the business side of food service. Though he came home beyond exhaustion most nights, he now had a dream, and that dream motivated him to try harder. One day, he planned to own his own restaurant.
Ajrulaj saved his pennies, and smiled as those pennies evolved into dollars. As his bank account grew, he dreamed of a future where he’d be his own boss. He was determined to become an American business owner.
The American Dream
On Oct. 15, 1988, Ajrulaj’s dream became reality. He went from restaurant worker to restaurant owner.
“I found a restaurant for sale here in Braidwood, and I came here to town to look at it,” Ajrulaj said. “That was that, yes? I told the realtor, 'OK, I will buy it.’”
Nearly 37 years later, Ajrulaj still owns the restaurant at 111 S. Front St.
Ajrulaj and his wife Darlene moved to Braidwood and took over management of the Golden Mine. Almost immediately, he learned a valuable life lesson. It was far more difficult to own a restaurant than to work in one.
Ajrulaj and Darlene did it all: Cooking, waiting tables, bussing, washing dishes, and tending to the management of the restaurant. They worked from sunrise until well into the night, wondering if the American Dream was worth the effort.
“At first, it was hard because the restaurant was small and it was not that busy,” he said. “I couldn't afford help, so I had to do everything myself, and sometimes I worried.”
Business boomed
As word got around town about the hearty food offered by Braidwood’s newest restaurant, business began to increase. Soon, Ajrulaj began to think about expanding.
“I borrowed some money from a friend of mine. I put in some big windows and canopy like it is today,” he said with a smile. “The windows, I’m thinking maybe they're too big, hard to clean.”
By 1999, business was flourishing at the Golden Mine, with regulars dropping by for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tourists traveling Route 66 brought even more business. Some returned for a hearty meal every year as they traveled the Mother Road.
“It did reach the point where I could hire people, and sometimes, I would have time to myself,” Ajrulaj said. “But, I’m still at the restaurant seven days a week.”
Reviews of the Golden Mine reached potential customers all over the country.
“Food is always good. Can’t beat the service. It’s always topnotch. Best food and service in this county by far,” one customer commented.
Though the Golden Mine serves everything from pancakes to burgers to surf and turf, Ajrulaj specializes in a couple of popular selections.
“I would say it is the fried chicken and ribs that most people like,” Ajrulaj said. “Breakfast is also popular, and we give customers plenty of food.”
The COVID challenge
Like most businesses, Ajrulaj has experienced difficult times. His biggest challenge was the COVID 19 pandemic that nearly toppled Ajrulaj’s livelihood.
“Corona brought hard times, we couldn’t serve people inside,” Ajrulaj said. “So, we went outside and served people outside. I was not trying to make money, I just wanted to keep the place open.”
Though the pandemic challenged Ajrulaj’s endurance, he refused to give up. If he had to work 24 hours a day to stay open, he would.
While so many small businesses went under, the Golden Mine survived, and it wasn’t due to luck.
“It was difficult after COVID, and it is still hard,” Ajrulaj said. “It’s much harder to find help, especially waitresses, and people do not have a lot of money to spend.”
Taking a risk
Again, while other businesses are cutting back due to difficult economic forecasts, Ajrulaj is going to take a risk.
“It's a nice restaurant, and we always want to make things better,” Ajrulaj said. “People like change. And there is a lot of competition. We want to stay in business, and to do that we need to remodel and change a few things around, make things better.”
In his younger days, Ajrulaj could handle modest remodeling jobs by himself, or with a little help. Now, he prefers to err on the side of caution.
“I don't have as much energy, and I do not wish to fall off the ladder,” Ajrulaj said with a chuckle. “That means I hire people to do it. And just wait, it is going to be very nice. We will maybe have some surprises for the customers.”
The only way to succeed
Ajrulaj has come far in making the American Dream come true in his life. He’s the owner of a successful restaurant and can afford to hire help. Darlene tends to their home while he takes care of business.
“She's staying home these days, and she’s very busy taking care of the house and doing yard work,” Ajrulaj said. “That’s good because I do not like yard work so much.”
Though past the average retirement age in the United States, Ajrulaj has no plan to leave a restaurant that feels like home. He has become accustomed to working seven days a week and sees no reason to slow down.
Ajrulaj knows hard work is the only way to succeed in life.
As he rings up a customer’s tab, Ajrulaj smiles to himself. He knows the Golden Mine will survive because people need to eat.