05/16/2020
An Open Letter to Our Community
Friends,
We wanted to take a moment to recognize the 40th Anniversary of our parent's restaurant, Spokane Valley's beloved Thrifty Scotsman Drive In. In our current climate, we can't think of a more fitting time to pay tribute to a local small business success story - and what a story it has been. From the beginning of their 40 year run, they have faced a lot of adversity. Our father, Floyd Brown, was 25 and our mother, Karla Brown, was 23 with two small children, a baby due later that year and one more to come when they purchased the restaurant on May 16, 1980...two days before the eruption of Mt. St. Helen's. They literally, started with a bang. Since that time, they have also endured wind storms, ice storms, the winter of '08, a recession and now a global pandemic. Like our dad would say, "Everyone has a romantic idea of what owning a restaurant is, but there were times I could not give away a single hamburger and the cash register was basically empty." Thankfully, they have also seen their fair share of success. Through the years they have received accolades from numerous local "best of" polls, fielded interest from Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and most important - enjoy a loyal following of four generations of regulars that we are proud to count as family.
You see, our family's restaurant isn't just a business, it is an extension of our family that has been a second home for countless employees and customers through the years. A place where our parents have been serving up much more than burgers and fries for decades. Their generosity knows no bounds and runs well beyond the typical sports team or school sponsorship that they frequently fund and extends past what might be considered ordinary for a small business. They have been known to look after their senior customers - communicating with their out of town family members, attending local nursing home events and taking the time to sit and have a cup of coffee with a customer - even when time is tight and they don't drink coffee. Customers have attended our weddings, baby showers and birthdays and we've attended more weddings and funerals than we can count - at times even assisted with the arrangements. And each holiday season they still honor their longstanding regulars with a free meal of appreciation. They are equally big-hearted with their staff. Christmas and Thanksgiving meals, holiday bonuses, purchasing senior photos, hosting graduation parties, even bringing back souvenirs from their vacations for the employees. The list is truly endless and some acts too personal to share. Wherever there has been a need, they have looked to fill it, because that is how you give back. That is how you show your gratitude for 40 years of patrons and staff that have helped you accomplish a dream that has eluded so many. Even under the worst of circumstances the community continues to show up day in and day out and my parents continue to welcome and support them however possible. It is the mutual support that has made this endeavor a success.
Now, we would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank them. Thank you, mom and dad, for being such an integral part of the Spokane community. Thank you for your generosity and kindness. For your unwavering dedication to doing what is right and and making the community around you a better place. We applaud you on serving as a shining example of what a unique impact a small business can have on the community around it.
We couldn’t be prouder of you and your accomplishment and congratulate you on 40 years.
Sincerely,
Aaron, Eric, Shannon and Kevin
The Brown Kids
