REMEMBER WHEN FROM THE PAST--THE OLD FIREHOUSE RESTUARANT

REMEMBER WHEN
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Kenna Holm

THE OLD FIREHOUSE RESTAURANT

    There's a building in town that has been standing since the very early 1900's. It was built as a livery stable in 1907 and then when cars became popular, Charlie Douglass, who owned it, leased it to Payson City for their Fire Department.
    The Fire Department was in the building where the livery stable was until they built their new Fire Station where it is today at 100 South and 100 East. In those early years, there just wasn't that many cars to make it hard for the Fire Engines to get out and go to the fires. It would never work today because they have to many fire trucks and apparatuses but then they only had one or two trucks.

    Next to that building was a pool hall operated by Gordon  'Boots' Barnett.  That seemed to always be a popular place for a lot of the men in town. Today, Downhill Cyclery is located in area once occupied by the pool hall.  The upstairs of the IOOF building has been  remodeled  into  an  apartment  for  the owners of the bicycle shop.
    On the north side and adjacent to the  fire station was Reif’s Radiator Repair. The shop was operated for many years by Chris Reif. When the Fire Department moved into their new home,  the Reif’s expanded into the area formerly occupied by the Payson Fire Department. Chris’s son, Jay incorporated a body and fender shop into the business.  

   The entire building was later remodeled and made into a  restaurant called "The Old Firehouse Restaurant". It  was owned  and operated by Russell  and Arlis Hutchinson. Charlie Douglass was Arlis' father. It was a lovely place to go eat and they had kept the decoration in the flavor of a fire house. I remember the red shag carpet and red chandeliers and a lot of old things around on the walls. Theylater sold it to Norman and Holly Broadhead and her sister Betty Quinn.  It became one of the most popular restaurants in southern Utah County.  People would drive for miles just to savor the delicious scones, steaks and other items on their menu.
    That seemed to be a family business also as Holly's mom, Minnie Stanton (who could forget that fun person) and Connie  Hansen their sister ( who owns the Wildflower) They were all exceptional cooks. They were known for their great steaks and their fish and chips. Minnie and Connie did most of the cooking. Minnie was strict about getting the food out while it was hot. Her words were "Let it get cold in front of the customer, not waiting for you to serve it".
    Minnie was the master bread maker, cook, and all around do everything person. Connie told me some fun stories about her but told me I'd better not print them.
    They later leased it to someone else for awhile but they were not successful in following the previous owners with the outstanding food and services that the customers had been accustomed to receiving. Afterit closed the building became a clothing store called "Something to Crow About". It was owned by the LeBaron's and they carried all kinds of women's clothing and accessories. They run it for quite a while and then moved their store up to the old Forsey building.
    Now the old Douglass building is occupied by the Utah State Liquor Store.
    I'm sure if the walls could talk, the walls of this old, historic building would have some good stories to tell. It's fun to remember back when isn't it?