5/08/08

Marysville landmark eatery gets a makeover

by Beckye Randall

Sam Gohar, the new owner of Don’s Restaurant, is all smiles.

“It has been hard work,” said the friendly restaurateur, looking around the freshly painted and scrubbed eatery, “but the results are worth it.”

The 24-hour restaurant, located at 1216-4th Street, has been a Marysville landmark for decades. Customers have been loyal to the casual restaurant, known for generous breakfasts and low prices, even though the previous owners didn’t pay much attention to the décor or ambience.

“The faded plastic flowers are gone from the window boxes,” Gohar pointed out, “and they’re not coming back.”

The interior walls have all been given a thorough cleaning and a fresh coat of paint, and many have light paneling in place of the previous dark wood trim. Diners now enjoy the smell of hearty home-cooked meals instead of the lingering odor from years of cigarette smoke. But the entry and bathrooms have gotten the most attention so far.

“Customers told us the bathrooms were the highest priority, so that’s where we started,” said Gohar.

With beautiful ceramic tile on the walls, all new fixtures and countertops, the restrooms are indeed a sparkling contrast to the former spaces. The same ceramic tile flows into the entry, providing a pleasant greeting for customers.

The work that’s been completed so far has gone on while the restaurant remained open, 24 hours a day as always. “Working around customers and the staff has been difficult for the contractor, but he did a great job,” said the owner.

Gohar plans to update the restaurant’s menu, adding some healthier alternatives including more salads and fresh choices, but he promises the old favorites will still be available without significant price hikes.

“We have a huge breakfast plate and that won’t change,” he promised. But he plans to add other attractions soon, including a 1-lb. T-bone steak for hungry diners.

Another steady component at Don’s Restaurant is its staff, many of whom have been serving customers for decades. El Louise has been a waitress at Don’s for more than 27 years, and she is pleased with the improvements Gohar has put in place.

“It looks fresher and cleaner,” she said. Asked about her longevity with the place, she laughed, “The last owner kept threatening to put me on the wall with the other antiques, but I’m still here.”

Gohar, who came to the United States from Egypt about 20 years ago, has worked in the restaurant business all his adult life. He spent most of that time on the East Coast, primarily in the Boston area, but is adjusting to the milder climate in the Pacific Northwest.

The father of two young children, 2-year-old Matthew and 6-year-old Catherine, Gohar has sacrificed time with his family to take care of the restaurant. “Right now, I’m here from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week,” he said. One of his priorities is to hire a manager to help him grow the restaurant’s business and give him some much-needed time off.

Plans for the restaurant’s upgrades will keep him busy for a while longer, however. Along with new carpeting and lighting in the dining area, he’s planning to overhaul the dated lounge and add an outdoor beer garden.

Currently, the lounge features live music on Friday nights, and offers Happy Hour specials from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and during televised Seahawks and Mariners games.

The restaurant’s banquet room will accommodate up to 40 people and hosts Bible study groups and AA meetings several times a week.

Gohar’s philosophy is simple and straightforward: Give the customers what they want. “If you focus on customers, on service, the business will grow,” he said with a confident smile. “Just give us a chance and we’ll earn your loyalty.”