Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
An effort to re-open the former Smokin’ Papa’s restaurant space is in motion in Garfield. The building, which is owned by the Town of Garfield, has been the subject of several efforts to re-open it since Smokin’ Papa’s closed in 2011.
It was the former long-time location of Cher’s Restaurant.
“The town would like to see the building in use,” said Connie Kriebel, secretary for the Garfield Community Association.
Earlier this year, private donations paid for new tube lights and a repaired floor with carpeting after the original was damaged when a water heater leaked through the roof.
The Community Association has a person who is interested in operating the restaurant and possibly a convenience store. The association is now gathering estimates for what it would cost to repair the kitchen equipment.
“We’re trying to get it up and going,” said Kriebel. “To get it one step closer.”
For the past four years, the space has been used at times, such as for Garfield’s Orchard Fest and May Day events.
Smokin’ Papa’s leased the spot from the city.
The building remains stocked with the equipment needed to start up a restaurant.
An effort by a snack-food manufacturer from Palouse to occupy the building fell through in the spring of 2012 due to problems getting a USDA Rural Development loan.
The Garfield council in December considered converting the building into a community center.
Soon after, a Palouse family came forward with an interest to open a restaurant.
By the fall, after a $5,000 investment from the town to help with the costs to open, the deal fell through due to higher costs to comply with health department codes.By Garth Meyer
Gazette Reporter
An effort to re-open the former Smokin’ Papa’s restaurant space is in motion in Garfield. The building, which is owned by the Town of Garfield, has been the subject of several efforts to re-open it since Smokin’ Papa’s closed in 2011.
It was the former long-time location of Cher’s Restaurant.
“The town would like to see the building in use,” said Connie Kriebel, secretary for the Garfield Community Association.
Earlier this year, private donations paid for new tube lights and a repaired floor with carpeting after the original was damaged when a water heater leaked through the roof.
The Community Association has a person who is interested in operating the restaurant and possibly a convenience store. The association is now gathering estimates for what it would cost to repair the kitchen equipment.
“We’re trying to get it up and going,” said Kriebel. “To get it one step closer.”
For the past four years, the space has been used at times, such as for Garfield’s Orchard Fest and May Day events.
Smokin’ Papa’s leased the spot from the city.
The building remains stocked with the equipment needed to start up a restaurant.
An effort by a snack-food manufacturer from Palouse to occupy the building fell through in the spring of 2012 due to problems getting a USDA Rural Development loan.
The Garfield council in December considered converting the building into a community center.
Soon after, a Palouse family came forward with an interest to open a restaurant.
By the fall, after a $5,000 investment from the town to help with the costs to open, the deal fell through due to higher costs to comply with health department codes.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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