John and Sarah Lee’s plan for withstanding the economic downturn is simple.
The Chehalis couple, both restaurant owners, say their formula is to keep the quality of food top-notch, maintain “family” relationships with staff and customers, and keep prices low.
Couple that with the tradition and homestyle feel that many Lewis County residents and passersby have come to know at the Kit Carson, and now that Sarah Lee and son Danny have assumed ownership of the Chehalis establishment, they hope to merge tradition and their business philosophy into a winning combination.
“This restaurant is such a wonderful place because it had a home feel to it,” John Lee said. “You keep that atmosphere, keep the food good, prices low, and people will come back and continue to be like family.”
The affable Lee family purchased the well-established Chehalis eatery in March. It is their third foray into the local restaurant business. The couple owned Sarah’s Garden Cafe in downtown Centralia until selling it in 2003, and they also own the Country House Restaurant near Vader along with son Danny.
Danny Lee has been given an ownership stake in the Kit Carson along with his mother, in a passing of the torch of sorts. John said his desire was to help his son become successful in business while he mans the kitchen and helps increase the offerings of the restaurant.
“It’s an exciting time for me because this is my second restaurant now,” Danny said, using his father as an interpreter. “I’m really looking forward to what we can accomplish here with my family and our staff.”
The restaurant has become well-known as a central meeting point for community groups such as the Chehalis Rotary Club, Lewis County Republican Club and many others. More than just a restaurant, the building offers a lounge, bar and prime meeting space groups continuously rent out.
As for the food itself, the Lees will put a heavy emphasis on new items in the menu, particularly various cuts of steak. John will not only serve as a chef, but the butcher as well, drawing on past experience in both fields to cut costs and maintain his own quality control for the restaurant.
“We’ll eliminate that middle man to keep the prices low,” John Lee said. “We’ll serve prime rib, filet mignon, all different types of steak that haven’t been on the menu before. A lot of people we’ve talked to are pretty excited.”
As for why they purchased the Kit Carson, Sarah Lee said she and her husband wanted to own a larger restaurant again, and the deal works out perfectly as the eatery is literally blocks from where the couple live.
“We live just behind the Safeway in Chehalis and we would think all the time that we wanted a new restaurant, so when this one came available, we knew we had to do it,” Sarah said.
The Lees insist their ownership of the restaurant many simply know as “The Kit” will be more of a behind-the-scenes change than anything else. The staff of 25 was held over from their previous owner in an effort to maintain continuity and familiarity to customers, many of which the Lees walk about and converse with during meals in efforts to reach out and get to know their new clientele.
“Everyone is like family to us and has welcomed us nicely,” John Lee said. “We’re just happy to be in the restaurant business so close to home and to be able to serve the great people here.”
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Christopher Brewer: (360) 807-8235
