The restaurant changed ownership in January and it was closed for several months as renovations took place.
BREWSTER Lisa Luckring is hoping to keep local history a part of the Brewster community for years to come.
Luckring manages the Station Restaurant, located in a portion of the 1916 WANDLE House. WANDLE is short for Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway as the building was first established for those traveling on the railroad and mostly served as their YMCA.
The upstairs at the time housed 62 dorm-style rooms, the main floor had a dining room, reading room and a room for entertainment. In the basement there was a four-lane bowling alley. Luckring said the building provided a place for people to stay overnight.
It eventually would be donated to the Brewster-Sugar Creek Historical Society in 1976.
Luckring said the main floor now serves as a museum as all the items have been donated by members of the railroad or their families.
“There is a lot of history out there,” Luckring said.
Luckring said her father in-law Bob Luckring, 88, is president of the historical society. He approached her about managing the restaurant portion of the building.
She initially didn’t have much interest in the railroad but that's changed.
“It is interesting the way they did everything manually,” Luckring said. “It was more of a simple time then.”
She stresses the importance local places like the Station Restaurant.
“This is a piece of history in Brewster,” Luckring said. “It needs to stay here. It is important today’s society to have that piece of history.”
New ownership
The restaurant changed ownership in January and it was closed for several months as renovations took place, Luckring said. She said there was painting and new wallpaper along with updating the heating and cooling systems. The kitchen was updated and reconfigured.
The restaurant reopened in July. Luckring, who also manages Georgio’s Pizza in Navarre, said she got involved in September.
One of the past struggles has been community awareness. Signs recently were put up at state Route 93 and state Route 241. Luckring said the hope is entice area travelers to stop by.
“A lot of people don’t even know this exists in Brewster,” Luckring said. “We are really trying to get people familiar and to give us a try.”
The Station Restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch with a breakfast menu available any time they are open. Luckring said breakfast is a majority of their business but they also offer homemade items including soups, pies and potato chips.
Small-town diner
The restaurant has the feel of a diner with reasonable prices and a staff that treats you like family. Luckring said one of the best parts about Brewster is its residents.
“We love to chitchat with people and get to know them,” Luckring said. “We treat them like family and they will feel like they are family, too.”
Many customers are locals. When they come in, the staff usually knows what they are having and gets their drinks. She said the restaurant tries to provide an enjoyable experience.
Luckring grew up in Navarre and now lives in Beach City. She had moved away from the area but came back.
“Something about that small town feeling,” Luckring said. “It’s small and it has stayed that way for many years.”
Business has started to increase, and Luckring is hopeful even more people will come in.
One of the goals for 2019 is to develop a sandwich of the day. Another goal is to open some evenings for dinner with an old-style menu such as hamburgers and milkshakes.
The restaurant recently held a breakfast with Santa, which Luckring said is one way to keep the community engaged. She said money raised goes to Santa’s choice of a charity as he helps the homeless.
Luckring said they encourage feedback through their Facebook page and always enjoy having the opportunity to see new faces.
https://www.indeonline.com/news/20190101/spotlight-on-brewster-station-restaurant-keeping-history-alive 2019-01-01 16:59:38Z
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