Red Barn Restaurant
1966
Grand opening 16 January 1965.
1964-12-04: The Red Barn Eating House under construction, Jim Wills, owner.
1965-01-01: The Red Barn Eating House to Open Soon.
Cheney will soon boast of a new restaurant when the Red Barn Eating House holds its grand opening sometime soon, probably between Jan 8 and 15. Jim Wills is establishing the new place and will be assisted by Ron Yandt, who now manages the M-N-M Drive-In at Dishman. Wills will continue to operate the M-N-M Drive-In here in Cheney.
The main dining room in the front of the new restaurant in the former Bestway Building Supplies building on First and G streets will seat from 45 to 50 at the tables, there being no counter.
A 1,500 sq/ft banquet room is being constructed in the rear with a separate rear entrance and a large folding partition-door between the public dining area. The room will be wired for a public address system and there will be steam tables for buffet and smorgasbord type service. There will be room to accommodate up to 50 persons.
Serving as chef will be Scott Malcolm who has had a similar position with the Desert Sahara Inn in Spokane. Mr. Wills says the new man has had years of experience as chef and in operating his own dining places.
A good size parking area to the east of the building will be hard topped as soon as possible this spring.
Bob Wilson, Cheney contractor and owner of the building, is doing the remodeling work. Mr. Wills hopes to be able to advertise his grand opening possibly in next week's Free Press.
1965-05-28: Mr. James Wills, owner of the Red Barn Restaurant is proud to announce that William W. Webster has taken over as managing chef of the Red Barn. Mr. Webster was born and raised in Spokane, attended John Rogers High School. After graduating he served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Ticonderoga. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he entered in the Spokane Community College, where he received his professional chef's training. Since becoming manager, Mr. Webster has been taking reservations for banquets.
CFP 1969-Jul-24: Red Barn Razed
This old Cheney landmark at the corner of First & G [SW corner] was completely demolished last week to make room for a new modern service station. The ground was acquired by Standard Oil Company for a modern Chevron station with Al Isaksen as manager.
The old building at one time housed the Potlatch Lumber Company and was managed by Norm Hove for several years. Potlatch later sold to Bestway Lumber which later moved its stock to their Valley plant. It then was remodeled into a restaurant by Jim Wills, and after several owners was acquired by Bob Wilson and housed Carter Lewis Realtors and a day nursery.
Bob Wilson and Ken Morlan have moved Carter Realtors office into a trailer office at 1820 First Street across highway 10 from Farmers and Merchants Bank. Wilson purchased the 1800 block from LeRoy Pease for future development.