My Dad's Place Italian Restaurant to Open in April

DAYTON-Terry Bartlett is planning an April 1st opening for his new Italian "Trattoria-style" restaurant on Dayton's Main Street, to be called My Dad's Place.

Bartlett and his wife Lu Ann have recently moved to Dayton from Corvallis Ore. and are bringing with them some special sauce recipes Terry developed for the pasta, pizza and sandwiches he is planning to serve at the restaurant.

Bartlett said he will source local products for use in the restaurant, including the wheat flour for the pasta. He has also applied for a liquor license, so that beer and wine can be served.

The restaurant, located at 127 E Main St., will seat 20-30 people inside, with some "Italian boutique" style seating outside.

Bartlett is a 1984 Dayton High School Graduate who has worked in the pizza business since attending WSU, in Pullman. He has owned a Pizza Pipeline franchise in Pullman and a Pizza Answer franchise in Seaside, Calif.

Bartlett said when he was leaving California, the Pizza Pipeline people offered him a deal he couldn't refuse. They said they would bankroll a store anywhere he wanted, and he picked Brigham Young University in Provo Utah. "That store went great guns," he said.

Bartlett expanded his business franchises in Provo, Salt Lake City, Orem, and American Fork, but in 2001 he sold the stores to spend more time with his son, Tyler. "I was working a lot, and wanted to slow down for him," Bartlett said.

The family moved to Corvallis, Ore., where Bartlett opened a Pizza Pipeline franchise, along with two more in Eugene.

Having family in Dayton was a big reason for moving back, said Bartlett. His father, Clarence, and his sister, Spring, both live in Dayton, and his wife's family lives in Pullman. "Family is pretty important, that's for sure," he said.

Bartlett said he is naming the restaurant My Dad's Place, in honor of his father. "My dad is an important person in my life. I want to pay a little homage to him," he said.

My Dad's Place will be open Monday through Saturday at 11 a.m. Bartlett said he hasn't decided on Sunday hours, but he said the restaurant will stay open until 9 or 10 pm on Monday through Thursday, and 11 pm or midnight on Friday and Saturday.