The Flagpole, 514 E. Ninth St., Rochester, is the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce’s April Member of the Month. In the front from left are Hailie Charles, Kaelyn Midkiff, Laken Durkes, Aimee Howard, The Flagpole Co-owner Renee Durkes and Chamber Board Member Taylor Showley. In the back row are Chamber Executive Director Jillian Smith, Chamber Ambassador Randy Wynn, Lesley Bowers, The Flagpole Co-Owner Josh Durkes, Chamber Ambassador Todd Zartman and Rochester Mayor Trent Odell. InkFreeNews photo by Lori Carr.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — Josh and Renee Durkes “want to keep the legacy of The Flagpole alive.”

The restaurant at 514 E. Ninth St., Rochester, is celebrating 75 years in business and was named the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce’s April Member of the Month.

The Durkes have owned the business for two years, with Josh’s parents Tim and Helen Durkes having purchased it four years prior to that.

“It’s changed hands several times over the years,” said Renee.

“When my in-laws bought it, they were looking to get something (to get to) retirement,” she said.

“I have worked in manufacturing for 24 years and was ready to be my own boss,” Renee added. “We thought that if we bought this, it would give us something that maybe our kids would want to continue on with and keep it in the community.”

She said she and Josh are wanting to return The Flagpole “back to what (it) was (in the past).”

“Everybody that comes here tells us, ‘We used to come here with my grandparents or my parents, and we got this, and we got this,’” said Renee. “It was just very nostalgic to them, so when they come back to town, they’re very happy to see it open again.”

The Flagpole’s menu includes hot dogs, hamburgers, shakes and 24 flavors of ice cream.

Twenty-three of those types of ice cream are still handmade on The Flagpole’s 1949 machine, said Renee.

“We also make a homemade pork and … our Spanish sauce from scratch,” she added.

Renee said The Flagpole is also working to get its fryer fixed to serve french fries again.

During the business’ off-season, its ice cream is sold at concession stands at Rochester, Caston, Manchester, Culver and Plymouth schools.

Renee said the restaurant also supports Little League players in Rochester and Fulton.

The Flagpole is open March to “typically the end of September,” said Renee.

“I try to stay open until Oct. 1 depending on the weather,” she said.

Its springtime hours until Josh and Renee can hire more employees when school gets out in May are 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

“When school gets out, we will do Wednesday through Sunday, and then we’ll stay open later on the weekends,” said Renee.

People may check hours on The Flagpole’s Facebook page.

The Durkes have 13 employees currently.

Overall, Renee said she and Jose hope to provide customers with “made-from-scratch” and “quality” food.

“We want them to have a good experience here and bring their family and their kids and come back,” she said. “I just hope (The Flagpole is) around for 75 more (years).”

People may order at the business or call ahead to order by dialing (574) 223-5050.