Owners sell Lakeside Chalet, building

The longtime owners of Lakeside Chalet, in Camas, have sold their restaurant business and the building it is located in.

Nick and Paula Stanley have owned the eatery together since 1999. Prior to that, Paula, her ex-husband, Steve Gibson and Paula’s parents, Paul and Phyllis Anderson, bought the restaurant in 1980.

Paula, 61, described Monday, Feb. 11, as a “crazy, whirlwind of a day,” as she and Nick, 58, said good-bye to faithful customers.

“It was really tough leaving today and (leaving) all our wonderful customers over the years,” Paula said.

She and Nick had given the sale of their business a lot of thought.

“We wanted to be able to get out before we physically can’t get around the dining room and cook,” he said.

Paula said they have been missing their grandsons’ sporting events.

“It’s time,” she said. “We don’t want to miss their activities anymore.”

The Stanleys are not retiring yet, however. They each plan to seek employment elsewhere.

Nick and Paula have turned over the keys to the restaurant’s new owners, Charles and Janessa Stoltz. The Stoltzs were not available to comment on their business plans prior to this publication’s print deadline.

Sherian and Malcolm Wright, of Washougal, said eating at Lakeside Chalet, at 3533 N.E. Everett St., Camas, has always been the highlight of their week, because of the food, the camaraderie and the view of birds and squirrels through the lakeside windows. The Wrights also recalled the holiday buffet specials and how the salt and pepper shakers changed with the seasons.

There were gift items such as birdhouses available to purchase, a book exchange for adults and toys and games for children to enjoy during their visit. A fire pit in the center of the restaurant provided additional warmth on the colder days of winter.

“The hometown goodness was always more than food,” the Wrights stated in an email about the restaurant’s closure.