Sentinel Lakewood
August 8, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourlakewoodnews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 89, Issue 52
6th Ave to get facelift Repavement will ensure smoother ride for drivers By Clarke Reader
creader@ourcoloradonews. com
Charles Wilson at the entrance of the restaurant. Charles worked with his family to build the restaurant in 1973, and has been taking care of it ever since. Photos by Clarke Reader
White Fence celebrates 40 years Frying up feathered fare remains a family affair By Clarke Reader
creader@ourcoloradonews.com
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Lakewood institution has just hit its 40th anniversary of serving the community and providing more than five million delicious chicken dinners. White Fence Farm, 6263 W. Jewel Ave., was opened on July 17, 1973 by Charles Wilson and his family, and has grown from a small eatery to 12 acres that feature a restaurant with eight different dining rooms and the ability to seat 600 people, several different giftshops, a barn for performances, a playground and carriage rides. “Our story starts after World War II when my grandfather Lucas Wilson bought 80 acres to run cattle on, and his three children all built their homes on the property,” said Charles. “Eventually Lucas and my father, Stan, decided they’d like to open a restaurant in the 50s, and though they started working on it,
other business took them away from it.” Charles went to college at the University of Denver, and after graduating decided he would like to open the restaurant. He said he obtained a building permit in 1972, and spent the next year working with the family on construction and landscaping. “When we started we were called ‘Wilson’s Good Eating’ and stuck with that name until 1981,” Charles said. “At that point we became White Fence Farm, and instead of serving breakfast, lunch and dinner like we used to, we decided to move to just serving dinner.” From there the restaurant really took off, and they started adding things like the gazebo and playground, new additions to the dining rooms and eventually in 200, the Americana Barn. Despite all the growth and changes that have happened at White Fence, one of the things that Charles is still the most proud of is two walls which feature photos of employees who have been with them for at least five years, some longer than 20. “I sometimes feel like I’ve raised half of Lakewood,” Charles said. “Working with this staff is still my favorite part of the job.” That staff includes Brynna Wilson, Charles and his wife Rebecca’s youngest daughter.
White Fence Farm is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The restaurant is run by the Wilson family, and opened in July 17, 1973.
“I was basically raised here, and was here with my parents all the time,” she said. “I started ‘officially’ working here around 15 or 16, as a busser, then hostess and moved up.” Brynna is now the restaurant’s general operations manager, and helps to oversee the 140 employees who work in different areas of White Fence. “I’ve always had a business mindset, and we have a great staff here,” she said. “The grounds are a beautiful place to spend some time, and the food certainly helps as well.” White Fence’s fame has certainly spread in the 40 years since its opening. In one dining room there is a map of the United States and the world, and people are encouraged to put pins on the locations from where they are from. People have visited from almost state and almost every continent, and the maps are bright and colorful from the pins placed everywhere. “It’s great to see the different people who have come in,” Brynna said. “We have customers who have come here for years and tell their friends, and the word just spreads.” For information, call 303-935-5948 or visit www.wff-co.com.
A photo of the Wilson family on opening day on July 17, 1973.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is continuing to repave West Sixth Avenue from Simms Street to Sheridan Boulevard. The project is currently at the milling process, which takes off a layer of old asphalt to prepare the roadway for a new layer of asphalt. The project is to be finished by the end of October. The project started on July 14, and covers around 300 feet east of Simms Street extending 3.66 miles east to Sheridan Boulevard, according to information provided by CDOT. Martin Marietta Materials is the contractor for this $3 million project. According to Mindy Crane, deputy director of communications with CDOT, motorists can expect single lane closures starting at 8 p.m. with double lane closures at 10 p.m., S u n d a y through T h u r s d a y. Delays are expected and alterStacie nate routes are advised. “ T h e Oulton, benefit of the projPIO for ect is that it will improve drivLakewood ing surface which reduces vehicle wear and tear and vehicle maintenance costs,” Crane said. Stacie Oulton, public information officer with Lakewood, said that the city is always pleased to have the roads maintained, and that the work will dovetail nicely into the repaving going on the Sheridan bridge. “Residents will be pleased with a much smoother ride,” Oulton said.
‘Residents will be
pleased with a much
smoother ride.’
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