Christon Paddock of Auburn made her first venture as a business owner when she took over the iconic Kenmore Diner in January. She wants to assure customers that the breakfast menu that has worked for 50 years won’t be changing.
However, lunch is a different story as Paddock has added her homemade soups and sandwiches to the menu. The Kenmore Diner not only offers all-day breakfast, but now all-day-lunch.
Meet the owner.
Paddock bought the business from longtime restaurateur James Yantsides and his wife, Pauline, who on the diner’s 50th anniversary, Jan. 15, said their goodbyes and offered free breakfast to the public.
“Jimmy turned the keys over to me at the end of the celebration,” said Paddock, who explained that the next day the deal was finalized inside the diner. “Jimmy presented me with a huge bouquet of flowers, about five dozen red roses. We all cried. At the end, Jimmy said, ‘Make me proud.’” Note: Yantsides remains owner of the building.
Paddock had worked with Yantsides for about four months before he signed off. “Cooking, ordering, sharing business records, you name it,” said Paddock. “Jimmy helped me transfer smoothly into new diner ownership.” Since then, Yantsides has stopped by the diner a couple times a week for a cup of coffee. “The first week Jimmy came almost every day,” said Paddock. “He is so supportive and always makes himself available for questions.”