“We lost our son, RJ, 13 years ago. He was a baby, a newborn, named after me. My wife had us all in matching outfits to come home in. You go in thinking one thing, and you come home with another. It was tough, you know? It was a hard time for us. But we stuck together. We prayed together, we cried together, we laughed together—and here we are together.

RJ’s Burgers & Ice Cream is what came out of that. My wife went through a lot of adversity and depression. She started making cakes and it helped deliver her. God stepped in and guided our footsteps through that situation and the transition of walking away from our full-time jobs of 20 years and into making this place happen, and here we are today.

The community rallied behind us, and because of that, community is everything. That’s where it all starts for us—we’re here for them and then we give them an experience when they come here. They continue to bring family, friends, co-workers, relatives, and share the story. Then there’s the support of other business owners, Experience Jackson, and the Chamber. When people like that come together to help, it makes you feel valued.

RJ’s is a happy place. It’s a healing place. But it’s also about hard work. Life is all about hard work. You have to look at the bigger picture—leaving something back for your kids and grandkids, as well as the community of Jackson. I remember growing up, it was ShowBiz Pizza. We all used to like going there and it created memories for us. Hopefully, Lord willing, one day RJ’s is still around here to keep creating those memories, and if that happens, then it’ll be a job well done.

Yeah, that’s what they say—that it’s the prison city. But now, you know, we’re the foodie city too. We’ve got a lot of stuff buzzing in downtown Jackson. It’s been a big thing. It’s evolving. Every summer, there’s something new going on down here. We come together, show people a good time, have a good time—and they come back.

Downtown Jackson is where it’s at, baby!”

—Robert Wilke, RJ’s Burgers and Ice Cream Company

135 E Michigan Ave, Jackson, MI 49201