ELDORADO – Kimberly Willis says she keeps the Red River Café open because residents like it, not because it’s a big moneymaker. Willis, who owns two other businesses in this tiny southwestern Oklahoma town of about 300 residents, was convinced by Eldorado citizens in December 2019 to open a full-service restaurant. She did just that and then the COVID-19 pandemic struck a few months later.
After closing for the entire month of April 2020, the Red River Café reopened in May, but with some alterations. The café was no longer full-service, and the menu had been adjusted to streamline daily operations for the cook and Willis. The number of tables in the dining room dropped from 12 to three.
“It (closing) caused a lot of problems,” said Willis. “I ended up losing most of my staff and the supplies went down the drain. Honestly, I don’t know how we made it.”
Like most restaurants, the Red River Café, located at 219 S. 6th Street, is trying to recover from the disastrous effects of the pandemic.
“It was probably two months before we were able to level off again,” Willis said. “We used a lot of social media advertising to let people know what was going on. We were using anything to get people through the door or to the (drive-in) window. It’s starting to pay for itself.”
Willis’ other two businesses – a liquor store next to the café and a recreational vehicle sales company located across the street – have helped bring business to the café.
“As far as I know, at least my inspector told me this, I’m the only liquor store owner attached to a restaurant in the entire state,” she said.
Willis knows a lot about restaurants. Her grandmother owned a series of eating establishments in Oregon during Willis’ childhood.
“I was raised in this business and didn’t want any part of it, but the locals here talked me into it. I knew the pitfalls before we started. Restaurants will only do what restaurants do. If we can pay the bills, we’ll keep it open. I don’t keep it open for personal reasons. I keep it for the locals. Nobody else will do it,” she said.
Eldorado is a town without a traffic light on the main drag. There’s about six businesses in town and three belong to Willis.
“It (restaurant) can be challenging. The locals can only support it as much as they can,” she said. “At the same time, I know just about every person who comes in those doors. My cook knows every person, too.”
Willis is praying that the end of the pandemic – whenever that occurs – will be the start of better times for the Red River Café.
“Just like everybody else, we’re hopeful,” she said.
In the meantime, Willis and her employees will continue serving the café faithful their mealtime favorites. The breakfast menu includes biscuits and gravy, loaded burritos and breakfast sandwiches. Lunch and dinner items include burgers, sandwiches, salads, several sides, desserts and drinks. A limited kids’ menu is available.
Restaurant hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. For more details, visit the restaurant’s Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/Red-river-cafe or call 580-633-5001.