Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Celebrating 30 Years of Uptown

By: Ryan Anderes

On June 3rd, the Uptown Grill turned 30 years old. We were so busy last week preparing for Griffin House on Thursday and Saturday that we completely forgot to even mention it in the weekly newsletter. And Ray has been so busy planning, ordering, measuring, meeting and discussing this upcoming remodel that he just did not have the time or energy to celebrate it. 

So here we are, 30 years old. We had a big celebration for our 25th birthday, but we just did not know how to handle turning 30. (Does anyone?)  So we let it pass without so much as a mention. Maybe the next big party will be our 40th, and maybe the remodel will even be done by then (just kidding Dad)!

Hard to imagine 30 years in business. Even harder to imagine it now, having been a part of it myself for the better part of the last 10 years. Thinking back to 1985 and how venturing off to open a business, with 3 kids no less... it had to be nothing short of incredibly scary. Just trying to accomplish the daily basics with 1 child of my own is nothing short of an incredible chore (as many of you can, I'm sure, relate).


I'm not telling you anything you don't already know on that front. But I just think about doing it all - brand new, right off the ground - with no idea what's ahead and with 3 kids at home. To wake up day in and day out, and do nothing but thankless task after thankless task at home and in the restaurant... wow! It would have taken an incredible amount of family support and an incredible staff to get things off the ground, and then the same to keep things growing year after year after year. And look what it's become!

I would just like to congratulate the Uptown on 30 years of business and extend a debt of gratitude to everyone who has not only supported the Uptown with their frequent visits, but to everyone who has put blood, sweat, tears and hard work into our operation as well! We would not be here today without any of you or the contributions that you have made over the years. See you at 40!

Take a stroll down memory lane with a recap of how things started 30 years ago. This is something that Ray and Rita had put together for our 25th, and it was so well received, we keep it with us to give those interested a quick recap of how things began and came to be for the current Uptown Grill.



1 comment:

  1. I remember the first time eating at Uptown. At the time I was a young mother of three young children and getting out of the house was a treat. I remember the flickering candle light, real table clothes, delicious food and a terrific waiter. It was so nice to reach across the table and hold hands and reconnect with my hubby. The Andres family has always been gracious to their guest and support the community thru their generous support of Lighted Way and youth programs.

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