Parade to fete server's career

Reef waitress to retire after 46 years

By Rolf Boone | The Olympian • Published June 28, 2008

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OLYMPIA – In 1962, Verna Parish poured her first cup of coffee at a downtown restaurant that would later be known as King Solomon's Reef. On Wednesday, the coffee will be poured for her.

After 46 years of working at The Reef and, later, King Solomon's Reef, Parish, 80, has decided to retire.

Wednesday will be her last day at the restaurant. At the end of her morning shift, Parish will participate in a block-long downtown parade to commemorate her years of service, restaurant owner Rich Phillips said.

"I just think it's beyond extraordinary that someone has worked for 46 years at the same restaurant," said Phillips, who has co-owned or owned the business for more than three years.

"It's an ode to service," he added. "She's an amazing person, and I'm so lucky to have met her and worked with her."

Originally from South Dakota, Parish moved to Olympia with her husband, Raymond, and children in 1955.

She worked for one restaurant downtown that closed, resulting in a search for part-time work at The Reef. The restaurant then was owned by Dave Kendrich, Parish said.

After he hired her, Parish wouldn't see him again for three weeks, she said.

One night, four men who appeared to be drunk entered the restaurant and sat at one of her tables, Parish recalled.

One quickly noticed that Parish wasn't pleased with their behavior.

"Don't you know who I am?" the man asked.

Parish replied, "Just one of four drunks?"

"No, I'm your boss!" Kendrich said.

The two would get along well after that, she said. In 1967, Kendrich sold the business to Mike Solomon, who changed the restaurant name to King Solomon's Reef. Kendrich and Solomon since have died, she said.

Parish said she continued to work at the restaurant because it kept her busy and started to feel like home. Over the years, she developed a routine: get to work by 4:30 a.m., brew a pot of coffee and fill glasses with ice water; drink a cup of coffee; and read the newspaper.

In the early days, when she made an 85-cents-an-hour wage, a 25-cent tip was considered unusual, Parish said.

"If I went home with $5 or $6 in tips, that was good money," she said.

In 1962, a cup of coffee cost five cents, she said. When the restaurant raised it to 10 cents, customers complained, Parish said.

"They weren't going to drink it," she said. Today, a cup of coffee at the restaurant sells for $1.75, refills included, Parish said.

Daughter Peggy said her mother taught her an important work ethic -- that you go to work and do your job.

"Mom's a special lady," she said.

Verna Parish said after she retires, she'll have more time to read and to spoil her grandchildren.

"But no work, not anymore," she said.

Rolf Boone covers business for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5403 or rboone@theolympian.com.