Class of 2025 • Last Team Outing
Stop 4 of 6: Grafton Oyster Bar Owner: Brad Hagen
"No risk, no reward."
Did you know that this establishment is one of only TWO floating restaurants in the entire state of Illinois?!

Brad shared about his career path from being a bartender at the Oyster Bar in St. Louis to working his way to become the chef. While still being a bartender he was also working at a corporate job. He would go to bed at 4AM and get up the three hours later at 7AM. His hard work helped to build a strong relationship with the owner, John, who eventually helped Brad get started when he decided to own his own restaurant.

Brad shared that in 2010 he was making $35,000 a year and now 15 years later he has become a successful entrepreneur - reminding students that things take time, but it can happen.

He recently bought the old grocery store in Grafton and is currently working to make that into a restaurant as well. Stay tuned later this summer to find out more about that venture!

"A must stop. Food is pure perfection. Really good Cajun food in the mid west. Who would have guessed. Atmosphere is the main attraction, sitting right on the Ole Miss river, with a huge outdoor seating area." - Customer Review

"It was my first time eating there and I hope it isn't the last. I could tell Brad is very driven and definitely knows how to run a restaurant. It's cool that he started in STL and is now the owner of one and soon to be two restaurants in the Grafton area." - CEO Student

Thank you for speaking to us AND the delicious bread pudding!!