By Mary Owen
In 1960, the Stayton A&W first opened as a small stand, offering customers mugs of creamy root beer for 5 cents each.
Today, the drive-in restaurant still sells its famous root beer and, according to management, provides Stayton citizens with a whole lot more: fantastic food, old-time quality, friendly atmosphere and great community service.
“A&W’s support of the Stayton community, their generosity and hometown spirit are a great inspiration to any business and the young people they employ,” said Jim Templin from Kiwanis Club of Stayton in nominating the restaurant for Stayton-Sublimity Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year.
According to Templin, those in their employ “exude friendliness and treat their customers like family.” Those behind the successful drive-in, one of the few left in the state, never say no when help is needed in both manpower and product, he said.
Larry Blakley bought the store in 1982 from John Dark and turned over its general management about 12 years ago to Brenda Lederer, who started working there 22 years go at age 17.
“I have grown with the store,” said Lederer, who is married and has two children. Her husband, Leighton, is shift manager.
A&W, Blakley said, “has generated many fond memories, such as first date, first float, first job – traditions we continue to carry on.”
“Many local people have worked at the A&W and we see them return with their families,” he added. “It’s like a homecoming.”
He and Lederer also enjoy watching their young employees learn and grow into productive adults, he said.
“We are very proud and grateful to be selected Business of the Year,” Blakley said. “We owe most of our success to our outstanding employees, past and present. We consider this a great compliment to all of them.
All of our employees know the boss is the customer who carries their paycheck in his or her wallet.”
Customers, Blakley said, are the highlight of A&W’s business. “There are many great characters that have passed through out doors, but some stand out,” he said. “One who always makes you smile is Mike Adams and his wife, Betty. Mike has given out toys to hundreds of kids who have come into the A&W while he is there. Some of the people who have enhanced our lives have been Cocky Dozler, George Carter, Leo Odenthal and many others.”
A&W provides lunches for Habitat for Humanity’s Saturday building projects and hosts cruise-ins on the first and third Wednesdays from June to September. Their support also goes to youth sports teams, the Santiam Canyon Stampede, golf tournaments, school carnivals, Stayton Relay for Life, Stayton-Sublimity Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations, activities and events.
“All of us are very proud to have received this award,” Lederer said. “It’s great!”
Blakley added, “We truly love and appreciate being a part of this wonderful town of Stayton, and we hope to continue to contribute to it for many more years. Thank you for this great honor!”
