KVMR Underwriter of the Month
The Monte Vista Inn:
Eat "Inn" for Fine, but Casual Dining.
John Wardwell, and his wife Abby, "accidentally" entered into ownership of the Monte Vista Inn in June of 1972. The inn, which was built in 1929 by a local craftsman using native time and stone, offered lodging and a coffee shop experience with breakfast through dinner dining, daily back then. John was sourced by a friend to "do the numbers" to assess viability of the existing business, while he was finishing up his MBA at
UC-Berkeley. The numbers looked good, the business seemed solid, and then his friend's potential business partner backed out.
John, originally from Detroit, Michigan via Colorado, was receiving many potential-job opportunities after completing his MBA, but the opportunities were "all back east." California was where he and his native California wife wanted to remain. So they "gave it five years" and joined into a business-partner relationship -- and into the
restaurant-food-tourism business.
Today, the Monte Vista Inn is no longer an inn, but a gracious restaurant offering fine, but casual dining, nightly. The menu is created from scratch. Many of the desserts are made in-house by their daughter, Holland. "The floor" is managed and supported by John and Abby's other daughter Alli. The occasion grandchild, as young as 2nd grade, pitches in to help. The eldest grandson, Brandon, waits table.
The Monte Vista Inn is a family affair.
"We offer really good fresh seafood and our customers come to expect it," says John. "And we also look to provide specials that rotate weekly, sometimes twice a week, including prime rib on weekends."
The Wardwell's support KVMR Community Radio, as they know it is good for their business and connects them to the Community that they serve -- from the ski crowd & Tahoe-bound tourists to residents of Placer and Nevada Counties. They also support KVMR Community Radio because they believe in what KVMR offers our Community. They recognize the importance of giving and contributing to the asset that has helped create and support their local Community, too...Read More
The Monte Vista Inn
Supporting our Community and Community Radio since 2004!
Ridge Road & Interstate-80 - Exit 145, Dutch Flat, CA
32106 Ridge Road, Dutch Flat, CA 95714
530-389-2333
