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HISTORY of the RESTAURANT
104 & 106 SE 3rd STREET

The building we are now calling home, NEIGHBOR'S CAFÉ, was originally a wagon repair structure back in the early 1900's. In about 1920-21, the building was built. It was one of the first "strip" buildings in the downtown area. It housed 4 different businesses. In 1940, PC Williamson Grocery Store opened in 106 SE 3rd Street. In 1946, Clarence Brown Shoe Store opened in 104 SE 3rd Street. In 1946, the grocery store changed hands to AG Food Mart, carrying more "fancy" items than before. At that time the town of Lee's Summit, Mo was listed as the third largest city in the state as far as area is concerned. The downtown was the thriving part of the city. Most businesses made their home in the downtown area. The theater was showing the latest flicks on the big picture screen. Crime was the lowest in the metro area, although there were only two policemen. One worked days and his brother worked nights.

In approximately 1950-51, Mildred and Jasper Brown open a restaurant in what was the shoe store called "Brown's Steakhouse" They served home style food from the recipes that had been passed down from her mother along with steaks cut from the family herd. The place was a huge success. Customers loved the fact that they could come here and get the same food that they were raised on, but not have to cook it. Mildred and Jasper lived in the back of the restaurant. It has been said that if someone came knocking on the back door after hours, Mildred would open her arms and feed them.

The Lee's Summit Journal, on August 1, 1957 had an article concerning the new owners of the recently closed "Brown's Steakhouse" The new owners would open the renamed restaurant, "Kozy Korner Café" on August 5, 1957. The operators were Mary Lentz and Gordon Adams. Mary Lentz had once operated the Ranch House on old Highway 40 in Independence, MO. Mary did all the cooking, Gordon was the one that you saw every day out front talking to his guests, solving all the world problems. It has been said though, that Gordon would run you off if you were not going to spend money in his place. You could not come in, drink coffee and just sit around visiting. He wanted the seats for his paying customers! They had the restaurant till early 1969 when they sold to Larry Kenemore. He renamed the restaurant "Chuck Wagon"

In the Lee's Summit Journal on May 1, 1969, they reported that Larry Kenemore had recently doubled the dining space buy purchasing the adjoining space which was an appliance store owned by George Whiting. He added a beautiful new front to both buildings, changed the entry way, and started staying open seven days a week. Total floor space added was 990 sq. ft. The restaurant served its food "smorgasbord" style, allowing the guests to go back as many times as they wanted, all for one price. On June 3, 1969, Larry Kenemore was granted a liquor license and started selling alcohol. This was met with mixed emotions from his guests. Some were offended that he would allow the "devil's blood" to be served there, since the town was predominately a Baptist community at the time. He lost some business at first, but it also helped to get some of the new people that were moving to town to come in and try his place. Sometime in 1972 Mr. Kenemore had both of his legs cut off in a farming accident.

In 1971 Mr. Kenemore sold his restaurant to Linda and O.C. Roberts. They called their new place "Linda's Restaurant and Steak House" O.C. was the former Chief of Police in Lee's Summit. At any given time, you could find some of Lee's Summit's finest dining in their new establishment.

The April, 1973 telephone book lists the place as "Family Restaurant" This is to believed to be owned by Ed Jackson, although he did not have it very long and this can not be verified.

In 1973, the city passed the legislation to build a new fire station on Douglas Street. At the time, Ida Barnes was the owner of a restaurant in the spot they were going to tear down to make room named Country Kitchen. She moved her business to this building. Sometime in 1974-1975 she renamed it "Ida's Place" because of the corporation that already had that name of their restaurants. She had a good business going, but split her guests with another restaurant out on Highway 50 called "Stonecrest"

In 1977, Ida sold her place to Wes and Francis Ford and they renamed it "Ford's Family Restaurant" They got back to the basics, going back to the traditional "home style" made from scratch cooking. Everything was brought in fresh, prepped in the back kitchen by Mrs. Ford and served in very large portions for a very good price. This was the days of the new style of dining establishments, with all the fancy cooking methods, fine ingredients, and "certified chefs" The Ford's knew that the locals here in Lee's Summit wanted "normal" food, so they stuck with that, not bowing down to the trends.

In 1988, Francis and Wes were getting up in years and the restaurant business was getting busier, so they decided to sell to Nick and Cheryl Thompson. They kept the same type of food, but making it more personalized, out talking to guests, making people feel like this was their home. Everyone in the family worked here, all the kids were seen rolling silverware, bussing tables, making pies. As things were going good, in 1991, a fire broke out in the kitchen during closed hours. There was fairly extensive damage to the restaurant. They were closed for several months while the place was rebuilt, and reopened in 1992.

In November of 1995, the Thompson's sold to Sue and Dave Meador. Sue had a restaurant in Independence, MO called Sue's Kitchen for 5 years. She felt she had outgrown that location and was looking for something bigger when she heard this was for sale. One of the things Sue changed about the business, was she had a great recipe for homemade cinnamon rolls. She started making those on a daily basis, giving them out to every guest. They became a staple item at the restaurant. Everyone asked about them and wanted the recipe.

On February 14, 2001 the restaurant was sold to the current owners, Don Roberts and Phil and Dianne Roberts. Don Roberts had wanted a place of is own for a few years when he heard that Sue wanted to sell. Upon looking at the restaurant, he decided that this was exactly what he wanted. A down home style place that had good food, great atmosphere, and a lot of history.

We invite you to come be a part of history.