By Vern Holmquist
How come my dreams turn out to be realities for someone else?
That’s life I guess, but in this case it is a pleasure to write about.
For years, I have been attracted to a spot in downtown Silverton. The reason was clear to me but only recently clear to someone else.
Every time I found myself wandering around the area, usually with camera in hand, I had to stop and study it and take a picture of the empty rooms and a dream – sometimes from across Silver Creek or from the covered walk bridge made of gray concrete walls.
All I kept looking at was an expanse of concrete wall containing some empty rooms but why were they there, sitting practically on top of the water of Silver Creek?
I could not guess the original purpose for the building, but have recently been told that it was a car dealership and repair shop. In my mind, I saw only one reason for the building and that was as a spot for an intimate restaurant, a sophisticated jazz club, that would be secluded yet right in the heart of town.
To me, it seemed a natural use for the building.
It seems it was not only my dream, but also another man’s dream.
Oh, the irony of it all.
Along came Manny, a charming man who works for a construction business. And I have a hunch there was a lady involved, named Lori, who is an artist.
And between the two of them they too saw the possibilities of that space and now those gray concrete walls contain a very attractive restaurant as intimate as I had pictured it, sitting practically on top of Silver Creek with large windows looking across the water to the opposite bank.
Add a little sophisticated, quiet, enjoyable jazz in the evening and now you know why I had to write this piece.
The restaurant is not just one big noisy room but is divided into interesting sections with an attractive bar (lounge) in a room by itself. There is a patio area for great sunny-day dining and one other thing that makes Creekside Grill so attractive is the obvious enthusiasm of the people that are there to serve you.
Rick, the chef, looks like a man who just enjoyed eating a fine meal. Chad, the bartender, has a proud sparkle in his eye making one think this was all his idea, people who are part of, and Manny and Lori, the dreamers are charmers with their welcoming smiles.
As I said, the Creekside Grill is a little secluded so here’s how to find it. Go to the middle of the Hartman Building, next to the Silverton Police Station on Water Street, there is an elevator waiting, a rather different elevator because instead of taking you to a higher level it takes you down unless you are already down, then it will take you to a higher level. It’s like opening a gate, step in, close the gate behind you, push a button and down you go, great for the handicapped as well, and there is parking across the street.
The Creekside Grill in Silverton. Try it. You’ll like it.
Tell ’em The Old Curmudgeon sent you.
