The Noble Hunt Restaurant to Open Soon

DAYTON-Alicia Walker has accomplished everything she is required to do, and more, in order to open the doors to a new restaurant in Dayton by the end of October or the beginning of November.

Walker is calling the restaurant The Noble Hunt, which is aptly named for all she hopes to accomplish in it.

As if running a restaurant isn't enough, Walker said that she also plans to work as a job coach for developmentally disabled adults, with the goal of placement into gainful employment in Columbia County.

"I saw a need in the community. Kids who are graduating from Dayton High School have no providers in our county. I will be the only one," Walker said.

Two months ago, Walker contacted the case managers at the DSHS ADA office in Walla Walla about her idea. They sent her to see Cindi Wolski and Debbie Dumont at the Walla Walla Department of Community Health, who helped her to develop a business plan and meet all the other requirements, Walker said.

Meanwhile, Walker shopped around for a location for the restaurant.

"This space was calling to me, and was available," said Walker about the Main Street property, which is the location of the former Grainhouse Grill.

Walker said she obtained a lease and began making repairs, painting, and cleaning. She also worked on the graphics for her website, applied for a liquor license, which she now has, and developed a curriculum for her work as a job coach.

With a full commercial kitchen available in the restaurant, Walker said her potential clients can be trained on-site for jobs in the restaurant industry or for other kinds of employment.

"There are lots of possibilities," Walker said."For instance, clients can job shadow in retail sales, or work at the local veterinary."

"I'm hoping to do group-supported employment, with up to eight clients," Walker said about her plans.

Walker explained that there are about