Current and former members of the
Kneadery family pose in front of the beloved café. Back row, Left to right:
Rich Hamilton, Jane Reynolds, Jack Williams. Middle row: Jimmy Roberts, Gregorio
Valencia, Jose Luis Chavez, Ernie Carter, Judy Milazzo, Julie Blinko, Laurie
Jaeger, Micheel Martin Vicary with baby Challis Vicary and Stacy Arnett. Front:
Gina Penn, Janine Byerly, "Buck" and Gail Severn with photo of Mike Martin. At
least nine other "family" members, who still live in the valley, were absent
from this photo. Express photo by Willy Cook
The Kneadery
changes hands
Two Ketchum institutions honor
tradition
By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer
There are two Ketchum
restaurants—longstanding establishments with plenty of history—that typify the
Ketchum experience: the Pioneer and the Kneadery. Now, through an emotional but
smooth transition, Pioneer owner Duffy Witmer and his daughter Alyson Tierney
have bought the Kneadery from the late Michael Martin’s family.
The stories of the two restaurateur
families are linked by years of friendship, trust and admiration, Gail Severn,
Martin’s widow, said.
When he moved from San Francisco in 1975,
Martin bought the Kneadery six months after it had been built as a spec
restaurant. Through all the remodels since then, it remained a family style
restaurant with old barn wood and whimsical decorations. He not only raised his
two children amidst the restaurant’s friendly chaos but also made it one of the
original performance spaces in the valley.
Artists and performers honed their acts
there, including the Vuarnettes, Mike Murphy, Chris Milspaugh, the "Whoop Show"
and Nicky Night and the Whoops. And visual artists, like photographers Steve
Snyder and Jack Williams, showed their work on the Kneadery’s walls. There have
been many weddings, private parties and memorial services over the years as
well.
"He was most proud of having served many
generations, and when kids came in he’d say, ‘When you’re older come see me
about a job,’" Severn said. She said they’d start young, bussing tables and
helping in the kitchen. Many stayed on for years. One such woman, Janie
Reynolds, began working at the Kneadery at age 14.
"I worked on and off between bike and ski
racing," Reynolds said. "Michael was nice enough to let me support my athletic
habits. He worked around our schedules and was very supportive of all the girls’
lives. We worked very hard for him."
Several of his former and current "girls"
stood around in the Kneadery two days after the Witmers had closed on the
restaurant. Lovingly, they shared stories and caught up, laughing when Reynolds
mentioned Martin’s support.
"He was very strict and protective of his
girls," she continued. "A father figure who took it on with a vengeance every
day."
One of the aspects of the Witmers that
appealed to the Martins, Severn and the Kneadery staff was the comparable
approach to the business.
"They live here and raised their children
here," Severn said. "There is a similarity in style, how they trust their
employees and have the same commitment to the business here. They hire people
who live here and work for them a long time.
"Our biggest asset is our employees," she
said.
At the time of the sale, Severn issued
bonus checks to each employee based on years served.
The sale appears to be for those involved
the right match to bridge between the past and future. Ultimately, it had very
little to do with money, Martin’s daughter, Michelle Vicary, said.
People called from around the country
expressing interest in buying the business. "The Witmers knew Mike and respected
him," Vicary said. "We chose someone who understands what the Kneadery is all
about."
One aspect that speaks volumes about the
genuine way Severn and the Martins have handled the transition is that they
consulted the many regulars who come in every day. "We went to these people and
said it’s important you support Duffy and continue Michael’s tradition. It’s
really important to us."
The Pioneer has an even longer tradition
and history in town. Filled with natural woods, mounted game and period
firearms, Ernest Hemingway and his cronies hung out at this Main Street
institution, which has been in operation since 1950.
"There will be a slightly different flavor
but the bottom line to us is this is a family thing and we wanted a family to
own it," Severn said. "Duffy said, ‘Why fix something that has a phenomenal
reputation already.’"
"He said ‘This will always be your Dad’s
restaurant,’" Vicary added.
Indeed, two of the Kneadery’s most visible
aspects have always been the carved wood figure of "Buck" seated at one of the
front tables and Mike Martin standing at the counter.
"Buck will stay. He’s an institution,"
Sheila Witmer said. And a photo of Martin right behind the counter, his visage
and smile unmistakable will also remain.
"There will be evolution," Witmer
admitted. "But we don’t want to change anything dramatically."
She said to expect minor changes in the
menu, décor and table set-ups. The wait and kitchen staff will stay the same,
with the addition of Tierney as the on-site owner/manager. They plan on staying
open later during high seasons and by summer of 2004 have patio seating out
front.
"We’re gonna keep it simple," Tierney
said. "And preserve the spirit."
Witmer’s son Dillon has just graduated
from the Hotel Restaurant Culinary Department at Santa Barbara City College.
"Hopefully, Duffy will bring him in eventually," Witmer said.
Like the Martins the Witmers have a
commitment to maintaining a family style restaurant business.
"We respect them," Witmer said. "They’ve
been here so long and Mike was so loved in this community."
For every member of the expanded Martin
and Witmer family the transition has admittedly been an emotional one. Martin
died just over a year ago and his presence is still resolutely felt.
"It’s new and exciting but you never
forget Michael," head waitress Gina Penn said. "Change is good. Not better, but
good."