08/14/2024
Last weekend, as I walked through the doors of the restaurant for the last time, the restaurant that I first stepped foot in when I was 9 years old. I felt a severe sense of nostalgia. Now 30, I never thought I’d see the day. My mom and I talk multiple times a week, and for probably the past 5+ years a portion of every conversation has been me trying to convince them that it was time for them to close up the restaurant and retire. Usually it was met with Richard agreeing, but also giving me a hard time that I only say that because we need Grandma and Pa to have more time to watch the kids for us. But truthfully, I just wanted them to be able to finally take a break and enjoy all of the things that they’ve worked so hard for and all of the things that they’ve had to miss out on. My parents are two of the hardest working people I know. I would joke with them that they are going to work themselves to death in this place. And honestly, all jokes aside, I thought that was the only way this day would ever come. They love this restaurant. It stands for everything that is important to them. Family, community, a comfortable place that anyone and everyone is welcome to come enjoy a home cooked meal, sit by the fire, laugh and tell stories. They love and treat every employee that ever worked there as if they were their own family. They love their customers who over the years have become their closest friends. They love the town where so many of our family memories have been made. I know walking away from this place has been one of the hardest things my mom has ever had to do. She has put every ounce of herself into that place. She loves it and is proud of it. The restaurant is a part of the roots of our family. My whole childhood and young adulthood happened there. So many memories. Most of them good, some bad. I remember back to the early days when my parents surprised me with a little black hound pup sleeping in a milk crate in the back room. The days of learning how to golf by hitting balls from one end of the parking lot to the other. Or the days of Richard dropping me off at the lake at sun up, fishing all day, and him picking me up at dusk to head back to the restaurant and enjoy a prime rib or calamari steak dinner. The years of washing dishes with my friends while Justin cooked. The likes of Johnny Cash, Jim Morrison, or Bob Dylan blaring through the radio speakers throughout the kitchen. So many of our family members and friends worked here over the years. We grieved the loss of loved ones within these walls. We celebrated many family milestones. Graduations, weddings, the birth of all four of the grandchildren, Blakely, Case, Stetson, and Tinley. And so much more. That place was a second home to me. I’m going to miss it. As the years went by the trips up the hill became more and more scarce. But I am so grateful for the times that Tiffany and I were able to bring the girls up and give them a taste (literally) of my childhood and to explore my old stomping grounds. Those trips will definitely be missed. But all good things must come to an end. And when one door closes, another one opens. And it’s now time for my parents to enjoy the one thing that is the most important thing to them, time with the family. We are so proud of you guys and are so happy for you both. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for us, and for this community! We love you!!
