Meet the NEW owners of the Rose Tree Restaurant in Castle Rock!
November 1, 2009 by Bill Eagle
We drove from Longview to Castle rock and turned off I-5 at Exit 49 on to the Mt. St. Helens Highway. In less than a block we arrived at John and Sarah Lee’s Rose Tree Restaurant. We parked in their ample parking lot. A big sign over their window proclaimed “Steak and Eggs $4.99.”
“You going to have steak and eggs?” asked my wife.
“I don’t think so.” I replied, “it’s after two and I’ve already had breakfast.”
We walked in and I was immediately impressed with the restaurant’s clean, bright appearance.
A cheerful server brought menus and showed us to our seats. I was impressed with their full menu. I was hungry and ordered their “today’s” special; beef stew with rice. My wife ordered a Philly steak sandwich. I had a great deal of food, piles of beef stew and rice. It was wonderful.
My wife’s sandwich consisted of large amounts of thinly sliced rib steak, Swiss cheese, grilled onion and peppers on a French roll. It was served with a choice of soup, salad, or fries. It too, was wonderful.
After eating, I was introduced to the new owners, John and Sarah Lee.
My wife took their picture (shown at left) standing by a statue of Betty Boop. John described Betty Boop as the restaurant’s “Mascot.”
I told them how much I enjoyed the meal, and I asked them how they happened to decide to get into the restaurant business.
“Thirteen years ago, I was a pastor of a very large church in California when I had a heart attack. My doctor told me that I needed to quit. I was taking on other people’s problems; I was worrying about too many people. I needed to relax, otherwise the stress would kill me.”
John explained; “Over 40 years ago, I came to the United States from Korea. I was only 23 years old and my sponsor was Dominic Vitorio. He was a wonderful Italian Chef, he taught me how to cook. Dominic was like a second father to me.
After my heart attack, I left California and stayed with some friends of my wife in Port Orchard. I really didn’t have much money, but I managed to buy a small restaurant in Lacey, Washington. I discovered that I really loved cooking, and loved the restaurant business. I did very well and I sold the restaurant for a profit. Five years ago, I bought another small restaurant, The Country House at Toledo, Exit #59. It too was successful, and now my son runs it.”
“How did you happen to pick the Rose Tree?”
John smiled: “Bob and Jeri were here for 27 years. They decided that it was time for them to retire, and I thought it was time for me to start a new restaurant.”
I shook my head. “Isn’t it stressful? I heard that restaurants have the largest number of bankruptcies of any business.”
John’s smile got bigger. “I’m not stressed, I have faith in this restaurant and my very professional staff. I have 20 people working for me. To me they are already family, and I treat them all like family. I had a staff meeting yesterday, and I told them that we are all in the same boat together, and we will all sink or swim together.” John continued; “I had Country House for over 5 years and I never fired anyone.”
John beamed: “I only have 20 families to worry about now, not an entire congregation. I know that the Rose Tree will continue to be a success.”
I changed the subject: “Do you have any children?”
“Yes, I have,” replied John. “I have three of my own and I have adopted 6 more.”
“Nine children?”
Yes, 8 boys and one girl. Four of my boys are ministers. One is a Salvation Army Minister, another a Baptist, another a Presbyterian, and the forth is a Military Chaplin who is now serving in Iraq.”
“You must be very proud.”
John nodded. “I am very proud of my children.”
I asked; “How can you afford to sell steak and eggs for $4.99?”
“Very simply” replied John. “I know how to buy beef and I age and cut it myself. My Steak and Eggs are very popular. I give everyone a large and very delicious steak with his or her breakfast. I plan to continue this special all winter. You should come back and have breakfast soon.”
I nodded. “I will. I plan to do that very thing.”
I asked John about his desserts.
“I make many of my own desserts. I make my own pies and bread pudding. I also do beautiful banquets. I think I have the best banquets in Lewis and Cowlitz Counties.” I had a wedding and reception here the other day. We have a beautiful banquet room.”
“What are your specialties?”
“My specialties are Shrimp Scampi with Italian Pasta, Veal Parmesan, Linguini Noodles with Alfredo. I serve Geoduck and a wonderful Captains Plate with Prawns, cod, oysters, and Scallops.”
I looked at John’s menus and I was most impressed. I was impressed with the variety of choices and I was also impressed by his reasonable prices.
I asked; “Do you have any future plans for the Rose Tree?
John looked thoughtful. “I would like to do something for the young people in this community. I would like to use my banquet room. to get kids off the street. I have a new Karaoke machine with 9000 songs. I would enjoy having Karaoke contests, and other events for youth.”
I grinned. “It sounds to me as if you still have a ministry.”
John smiled.
If you are looking for a restaurant with good food, reasonable prices, a professional staff, and a family atmosphere, be sure to seek out Exit 49 on I-5, John and Sarah Lee’s Rose Tree. It will be worth the trip. Tell John and Sarah Lee we say hello!
Sounds like they are going to be really busy they will probably be needing one of our guest or server paging systems any day now.
This is a bunch of crock…
John smiled: “Bob and Jeri were here for 27 years. They decided that it was time for them to retire, and I thought it was time for me to start a new restaurant.”
Are you kidding me? RETIRE?!? They were not an active part of that business until a year before the sale. They did nothing but try to push the one person out that meant anything to the ROSE TREE CUSTOMERS!! Jeri Personally belittled all the staff and chose favorites resulting in the lay off of the BEST bartender I have ever met.
Good luck to the NEW owners and best wishes!
The Valley Bugler feels that Bill Eagle did a great job interviewing the new owners. It is unfortunate that it was construed that Bob and Jeri were indicated as the only owners of the Rose Tree – but they were the restaurant managers at the time of the sale, and a very visible force for over a year.
It was not an article focused on the past Rose Tree Restaurant, but one of the future! Good luck to the new owners, and yes – thank you to the entire Rose family for building up a great restaurant for the new owners to continue forward with!
There was no harm or ill wishes toward the Rose Tree family whatsoever, and we look forward to continuing promoting new business owners or new businesses! Please call us or send us an eMail if you know of a new business owner or new business opening up.
Yes Indeed Valley Bugler and Bill you did a great job interviewing John and Sarah.. May God bless John and Sarah and all employee in their future at the Rose Tree. . You made a good purchase and my blessings are with you . Congradulations… Elaine
I am sorry that my story wasn’t about the past owners of the Rose Tree or of all the wonderful people who preceded John and Sarah Lee.
My story was about John Lee, not the past owners. My intent was to write about John’s life and his hopes. It was also about his new business, the Rose Tree, and his desire to do something with it for the youth in Castle Rock.
I live in St. Helens, Oregon. Two weeks ago, my wife and I made a special trip to have breakfast at the Rose Tree
We had their $4.99 steak and eggs. It was great and our steaks were outstanding.
I like their food, I like their service, and I like them.
John and Sarah are wonderful individuals. They employ 22 people; people with families, and people who live and contribute to their local community. John told everyone who works at the Rose Tree, that he thinks of them as family, and has the same concerns for them as if they were his own family. “He said: “We are all in the same boat, and we will sink or swim together.”
John and Sarah are marvelous people, people worth knowing. I would sure like to encourage others to visit, and get to know them. They have some wonderful stories to share, and they also have great food.
This article totally missed the mark by not mentioning Becky Rose as the driving force behind the success of the Rosetree. This business started unraveling over the last year and a half and in my opinion, due to mismanagement. I hope the new owners can overcome all problems they inherited and can recover the reputation of the Rosetree as a family friendly place with excellent food and respect for everyone who enters.