Kate’s Redwood Bar & Grill family affair
Mamie Roche at a Redwood Hwy. landmark. (Photo by Jennifer Newsted, I.V. News)
From our weekly issue dated October 31, 2007
The secret is out.
There’s a bar and grill on Hwy. 199 between Hay’s Hill and Wonder that area residents and tourists alike have probably driven by more times than they can count. It’s not a pretentious building.
Most of the time the motorcycles outside are what are noticed immediately. But those in the know who have taken the time to stop for a beverage or a bite to eat have found a pleasant, welcoming atmosphere where the food is phenomenal and the prices are always fair.
The place itself has been around for decades and has been open under several different incarnations including a motor court in the 1940s and ‘50s. Most recently it changed ownership in November 2005 to Kate Bain, and became Kate’s Redwood Bar and Grill.
The road that led to Bain purchasing the place was a long and sticky path. In 2004 Bain found herself separated from her husband and in a place mentally and physically that was not healthy.
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After taking a couple of road trips and inadvertently encouraging some close friends to come to the area, she landed here herself in 2005.
She looked around and found the bar for sale. The house was uninhabitable, and the bar needed work. A lot of work.
“It was just what I needed,” said Bain. She gutted and remodeled the house and did a lot of work including lifting the bar to replace post and pier that had been damaged by elements and weight from river rock backing for the fireplace .
Mamie Roche at a Redwood Hwy. landmark. (Photo by Jennifer Newsted, I.V. News)
In June ‘06 she called her daughter and asked her to come up. Mamie Roche, Bain’s daughter, became a co-owner.
The place is family oriented. There is a separate section with booths for those who don’t want to eat at the bar. The jukebox has plenty of Classic Rock, Country and current hits. Patrons who frequent the place will tell you that it’s not just the good food and the fair prices; they feel that it’s about the service and the social aspect that Bain and Roche provide customers.
It’s a personal place. There’s a tremendous amount of respect customers have for Bain and Roche and the place itself.
“Come in, have fun, do whatever you like (within reason),” Bain said. “What we don’t tolerate is disrespect to other customers,” she laughs. “Mamie overheard something inappropriate not too long ago and landed on the guy with both feet.” Patrons with good observation skills will notice there’s a gun behind the counter. It’s a peacekeeper.
It’s just plain common sense for two women running a bar to have one for their own protection and for both to be prepared to use it if they find themselves in a life-threatening situation.
Roche echoes the sentiments of Bain about what she enjoys most about the daily operation of the place.
“Hands down it’s the people,” she said. “I’ve acquired quite a few good friends since I’ve been up here. Some of my friends up here started out as my customers first.”
Unlike Bain, who had run this type of establishment before, Roche had not. She found the learning curve challenging, but manageable and fun. She says, “Everyday it gets better and better.”
Roche and Bain want people to know how much they appreciate their customers. The service and the food say it all though.
“This is a lot of people’s home away from home,” said Roche. “Where else can you walk into and see a line of bikers at a bar all double-fisted with oatmeal cookies and a glass of milk in front of them?” added Roche.
Kate’s Redwood Bar and Grill was Redwood Highway’s best-kept secret, but the secret is out. Stop and try a cheeseburger. They’re open Tuesdays through Sundays from noon to 10 p.m.
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