|
Country Bill's Restaurant was a family-owned American-style steakhouse and seafood restaurant located in the Woodstock neighborhood of southeast Portland, Oregon, in the United States. Adjacent to the restaurant was a bar known as CB's Lounge. The restaurant opened in 1964 when ownership transferred from Bill Blake to Ron Thomas' family. Though Thomas was not particularly fond of the business' name, established by Blake in 1960, he was unable to afford new signage and kept the lounge's title. Over time the restaurant grew from a hamburger stand into a family dining restaurant, expanding from one space to four. In 1978, the family purchased the building and property following the landlord's death. Eventually, Thomas transferred the business to one of his two sons, Craig. Craig and his wife decided to retire in 2011 and none of their children wanted to continue operating the restaurant. The business and the building were listed for sale in February 2011. Country Bill's closed in September 2012 after 48 years of operation. The restaurant had low staff turnover and dedicated patrons, hundreds of whom visited during its final days. Country Bill's was also known for its Brat Pack era decor, including red clamshell booths, mood lighting supplied by electric candles, metallic wallpaper and wood paneling. Following closure, the building underwent interior and exterior renovation to make spaces available for new tenants. ==History== Country Bill's Restaurant opened in 1964 after Ron Thomas' family purchased the business from Bill Blake for $600. Blake had named his lounge Country Bill's in 1960 but the business was unsuccessful.〔〔 Thomas had been in the food service industry in Utah previously and ended up living in Portland after a series of relocations with his family.〔 Though he was not particularly fond of the lounge's name, Thomas was unable to afford new signage and kept the title.〔 Over time the restaurant grew from a hamburger stand into a family dining restaurant, expanding east from one space to four.〔 In 1978, the family purchased the building and property following the death of their landlord.〔 Ownership stayed within the family, eventually transferring to Craig Thomas (one of Ron's two sons, both of whom worked in the restaurant for numerous years).〔〔 Craig Thomas and his wife decided to retire in 2011 and none of their children wanted to continue operating the restaurant.〔 In February 2011, Country Bill's and the building were listed for sale for $975,000.〔 The restaurant closed on September 15, 2012 after 48 years of operation.〔〔 Hundreds of customers, some from as far away as Europe, visited the restaurant during its final days.〔 Following the restaurant's closing, in 2012, the building underwent interior and exterior renovation, resulting in two spaces for future tenants (one of which has been confirmed as a dental office). 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Country Bill's」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|