The Kettle Keeps Brewing in Spite of Power Outages

Asked if he has any idea how many people served last Thursday when power first went out in Enumclaw due to the ice storm, owner Dennis DeAugustine's face grew incredulous.

"Are you kidding me?"

As probably the only restaurant in town that stayed open -- thanks in part to the generous donation of a generator -- it is understandable that DeAugustine and his staff didn't waste time counting heads.

There were cold and hungry mouths to feed, after all.

DeAugustine was quick to divert any praise heaped on him for the heroic effort of remaining open and operational Thursday, back to his staff, his customers and the community.

The generator got the dishwasher, freezers and coffee machines working, which were important, he said. But it couldn't power the ventilation, so the cooks in back were working in some uncomfortable situations.

And as the masses descended on The Kettle, it was the restaurant's regulars who rolled up their sleeves and got to work, bussing tables, taking orders and washing dishes in the back, he said.

Tom Poe, of , said his employee Diane Laginess went over to lend a hand waitressing, and DeAugustine later sent a jar of tips back to Laginess for her help.

All of the help was appreciated as DeAugustine said the restaurant really sought to serve anyone who came in the door, including the many utility workers who'd been out repairing downed wires and clearing trees for days on end. 

The restaurant's Facebook page, summed up the community effort "...it was great seeing what people can do when the time really calls for it."

DeAugustine made it a point to let the Puget Sound Energy crews 'cut in line' and get their food, given all the time they'd spent out in the elements. He said he told them anytime they want a meal, even overnight, come to the back door at 3 a.m. and he'd be there.

Even into Tuesday, DeAugustine said the workers were still at it -- he'd just served a group of 12 at lunch.

The demand for The Kettle's food and service has resulted in two grocery deliveries this week, whereas on a normal schedule, the restaurant only receives a delivery each Thursday. They had to have an additional delivery on Saturday, DeAugustine said, and on top of that, he and staff had to go shopping again on Monday to cover a few items until the next delivery from Sysco.

For the most part, the restaurant was doing OK, he said, through they were short on coffee creamer and sourdough bread. For a while on Sunday, he said, customers could only choose from white or wheat breads for the French toast.

The Kettle's role in serving as a community gathering place during difficult circumstances like this isn't a new one. Having been in business since 1979 and in this current location for the past 16 years, DeAugustine said he always opens the restaurant so people have a place to go.

Why?

His answer wasn't a verbal one - instead, he pointed quietyly at a plaque on the wall in honor of his friend John Carnino from the Enumclaw Firefighters Association. "He's like a brother to me," he said simply. "That's why."

And the community is appreciative. Regular Fran Honeycutt, of Enumclaw, said last week's ice made it difficult to leave the house so she didn't come to The Kettle on Thursday, but she has during past outages.

"This is a standard thing for him [DeAugustine]," she said. "I'm sure he's saved many people's lives. You know there are elderly people who die during storms like this. They can't get heat and they can't get anything to eat or drink."

Because The Kettle is open, "they can come in and get something hot," she said. "It's a security for residents of Enumclaw knowing they can come down and get something to eat."

Paul Garifalon and his mother-in-law Beverly Hook, both of Enumclaw, were here Thursday, and "it was crazy," Garifalon said. "There was a lot of people. You couldn't find a place to sit down."

Neither were aware of The Kettle's history of being a gathering place during a storm, but they know why they like coming here.

"They treat you like family," Hook said. "It's like a home. You find a place to sit and you know you can get the same food that you always get because you like it."

And online on Patch's Facebook page, Jennifer Neubauer Osborn writes, "A huge THANK YOU to the wonderful staff at The Kettle who remain open during a power outage for as long as it takes. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.....they just keep going."