The Sharp Corner Tavern is an institution of Hermann, Mo, a mid-Missouri river town. Steeped in history, the 167- year-old building has been a host to many owners over the years. Today, it is owned by second-generation owners Toby Hoelmer and Sarah Bruesking Hoelmer, locals themselves who facilitate a community of burger-loving residents in the small town.
Sharp Corner Tavern co-owner Toby Hoelmer walks out of his tavern on Friday, March 15, 2024 at Sharp Corner Tavern in Hermann, Mo. The Tavern is a stalwart of the mid-Missouri river town. The building is 167 years old and has been serving Midwestern fare to customers for decades.
Sharp Corner Tavern co-owners Sarah Hoelmer, left, and Toby Hoelmer prepare burger meat on Monday, April 9, 2024, at the Sharp Corner Tavern in Hermann, Mo. Toby starts preparations for the day before the sun rises, while Sarah comes in around 8 a.m. The burger meat is a unique blend of 71% meat and 29% fat. “It may cost a little more, but it’s better than frozen” Toby said..
Toby Hoelmer, left, and Sarah Hoelmer run the lunch rush on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at the Sharp Corner Tavern in Hermann, Mo. The kitchen is a square unit consisting of a cast iron griddle, decades-old burners and a deep fry station.
Toby Hoelmer gathers ingredients for the lunch rush under a memorial poster for his father Mitch Hoelmer on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at the Sharp Corner Tavern in Hermann, Mo. Toby and Sarah, who has previously married to Mitch, have co-owned the bar since his passing in 2019.
A collection of obituaries for the tavern’s regular customers who have passed sit on a shelf on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at Sharp Corner Tavern in Hermann, Mo. The memorial photos are taped to empty bottles of the customers’ drink of choice when they used to frequent the tavern.
Toby Hoelmer takes a break from the kitchen to talk to Todd Ree, left, and Bradford Kohlbusch, right on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Hermann, Mo. Ree and Kohlbusch are two of many regulars at the Tavern, many of which the Tavern staff has names and orders committed to memory.
Brandon Shoemaker eats a Herbie burger and fries on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at the Sharp Corner Tavern in Hermann, Mo. Shoemaker’s friend Andrew Portell joined him that afternoon. “There are forever people in Hermann” Portell said “Local people take care of local people.”
Toby Hoelmer cooks Herbie burgers while waitress Jackie Rost delivers another order on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at the Sharp Corner Tavern in Hermann, Mo. The Tavern is best known for their “Herbie burgers”, greasy smash burgers named after a previous owner Herb Mueller. Beyond the burgers, the Tavern serves daily specials, such as meatloaf and fried fish sandwiches.
From left, Jennifer Gross eats lunch with her son Ryan Gonzalez and granddaughter Hadley Gonzalez, three months, on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at the Sharp Corner Tavern in Hermann, Mo. “My husband is from Hermann. Everybody knows everybody. Even if you don’t know the full name, you know so and so. They’re all somehow connected.” Gross said as she pointed across the bar to the Murphys, fellow tavern regulars.
Sharp Corner Tavern customers finish dinner on Friday, March 22, 2024, in Hermann, Mo. When the sun sets, smoking restrictions normally enforced during the lunch rush are lifted. When Toby and Sarah leave, night cook Cody Manley (cq) and night manager Travis Bruesking (cq) often close the bar late into the night. “Y’all aren’t closed are you?” A customer said around 9:00 p.m. “No, everyone just left at once. We’ve still got a few more hours” Bruesking said in response.
