HYP March Business Highlight: Hokkaido
Thank you Hokkaido for sitting down for this Q&A. HYP is so grateful that you started a business in Helena and that you’ve been feeding us ever since!
John is the 6 ft, dad joke-loving Manager of Helena’s best kept secret: Hokkaido. He moved to Helena 7 years ago from California and can't say enough good things about the town. He assisted Tom the owner with establishing this ramen, sushi, bubble tea creation two years ago, and it has been thriving ever since.
Why did you choose to start your business in Helena?
Tom the owner and John the Manager both felt very strong on Helena being the home base for Hokkaido.
To bring a fresh and unique food to the Helena area that isn't burgers, steak, or pizza.
What makes your business unique to Helena?
We have the only ramen in town. We have one of the only places to get sushi. We created a unique and needed/different type of vibe at our restaurant, an energy if you will, that people will connect with and enjoy for years to come.
What is your biggest personal reward from running your business Hokkaido?
Our biggest personal reward is the happy and satisfied feelings we see customers experience at our restaurant. The positive and healthy team atmosphere that helps develop the team members and give them opportunities and real-life skills that will help them in life forever is very emotionally rewarding.
What is your personal reward from running your business as the manager?
John's favorite thing about the job is developing his team and leading them to success. If you own and operate a business I would highly suggest hearing how he runs and operates. Hokkaido was one of the few businesses that were open all of 2020, and not only that also was able to donate roughly $2,000 to charities!
How have you adapted your business in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
We have been incredibly proactive in our covid-19 response. We have one of the safest restaurants in town and have adjusted the business model to accommodate the "new normal" that is a dramatic increase in takeout and a high emphasis on customer safety (i.e. no bar seating, 6 feet of space between tables, a private takeout area, paper on each table, individual sauce servings, masked employees since months before the mask mandate, etc.)
How long have you been a Sponsoring Business to HYP? Why?
This is our first year. We are increasing our partnerships each year and HYP is perfect for our style of restaurant. We just hit our two year anniversary of opening the restaurant and we've had limited resources for partnerships and advertising, but HYP was definitely one we've wanted to partner with and now finally have the opportunity and we are thrilled to be able to give back to the exact customers that have helped us grow from day one.
What good outcomes has your business seen from working with HYP?
Increased foot traffic, increased positive word of mouth, and positive feedback from the HYP members excited that we are partnered with their amazing organization.
What advice would you give people who’ve recently moved to Helena?
Join the HYP and give Helena Hokkaido a try, we have the "Best Ramen in Montana" and we might just become your favorite restaurant in Helena. Also, try to be as positive and contributing a member of the community as possible from day one, if you genuinely want to be a part of the incredible community we have, you will be welcomed and embraced/supported with open arms. If you come in from out of state trying to change things here to fit the mold from somewhere else, Helena is not the place for you.
What is your favorite trail to hike near Helena, if any?
Mount Helena has several amazing trails that are all awesome for different levels of hiker. If you do make the hike, the view alone is worth the price of admission (free lol).
If you do not like hiking I would also include golfing, camping, and driving to top favorite things to do in Helena.
What can HYP members do to help support your business during the pandemic?
Eat at Helena Hokkaido and spread the word about our restaurant (Helena's best kept secret). Also, keep working hard to become successful and feel free to do a little work here at a private table with free consistent wi-fi while eating some of the most amazing food in the state at one of the safest restaurants in town. And enjoy your 10% off forever here.
Hokkaido has collaborated with Downtown Helena and will take Helena Nuggets if you have them!
Some fun facts about Hokkaido?
John recommends Spicy beef ramen for an original MT taste for lunch and Spicy ramen #2 extra shrimp for dinner!
Hokkaido (Helena's Best Kept Secret) has an original beef ramen that is purely for Montana!
On the back of their menu is a full GF menu they created from scratch!