Heatons turn over key to Iris

Dave and Carmen Heaton have officially given the key of the Iris Restaurant to Butch Bittle, the new owner.

By Larry Kershner

It's the end of an era.

Dave and Carmen Heaton have officially given the key of the Iris Restaurant to Butch Bittle, the new owner. It ends a 40-year run for the Heatons as proprietors of an eating establishment that was more than a place to grab a bite to eat.

The Heatons said they worked hard to create an atmosphere that people would want to enjoy repeatedly, but gave the bulk of the credit to the wait , bar and kitchen staffs for creating repeat business.

The restaurant was originally built by Frank DeLucia in 1954 as a lunchroom for the Iris Motel next door.

The Iris became a popular place and DeLucia started adding onto the place with no less than four additions, including the bar and the banquet room. He sold the business to Dave Heaton in 1967. Dave and Carmen married in 1968 and have kept the Iris in full bloom for four decades.

They said the secret to good employees is looking for a certain personality. "There's a certain expectation of what an Iris waitress is like, Carmen said, as an example. And they worked to find people who would fit with the other staff, as well as be accepted by customers.

She expressed her gratitude for having dedicated employees who worked hard, "and they get their work done." She said the camaraderie is established before and after work hours as they gather and visit and talk about the workday or events in their lives. It builds into a family.

Bittle, who has been the Iris' chef for the past five years, agreed, saying that he is proud to say he worked at the Iris, because people respond favorably when they hear it.

Butch said the most common question he gets is, "What changes will you make."

"Changes will be small," he assured, adding that most people won't notice them. "This is still going to be the Iris Restaurant.

Noting that he will be in the kitchen most of time, he announced that Kay Coleman, "will be our Carmen." Kay will be the upfront hostess and take care of operations on a daily basis.

And what of the Heatons after today?

"We'll still be around," Dave said. "We're not like those who sell a business and move away and you never see them again. We're not going anywhere."

In fact, they said they intend to be regular customers of the Iris.

Carmen said she thinks she's ready for retirement and thinks she can enjoy being in the dining area and relax and let others do the work that is needed.

Dave said that he still enjoys the work as owner, even though it means long hours that seldom stay within a daily eight-hour format. "But there comes a time when you physically can't do the work anymore," he added. "Then it's time to quit."