KENT – Fife ‘n Drum Restaurant has been serving generations of families for half a century. The late Dolph Traymon, a professional musician, opened his restaurant on January 20, 1973. Since then, Traymon’s daughter Elissa Potts has taken over the restaurant and offers live music several times a week.
Fife ‘n Drum Restaurant will be holding an open house to celebrate its 50th anniversary on January 19th from 3-7pm.
Given how the restaurant “has grown over time,” Potts says he looks back on 50 years of business, from the first customer who came to the restaurant to the first customer’s family and grandchildren who visit the restaurant. said it was interesting…today.
“It’s really heartwarming to know how many people we’ve cared for over the years,” she said.
early years
Before opening Fife ‘n Drum, Potts said her father ran Caro’s restaurant in Manhasset, New York for five years when her family lived on Long Island. Along with running her Caro’s with two partners, Traymon has played piano in Long Island, New York, Connecticut, and traveled and performed around the world.
In 1972, Traymon purchased the land where Fife ‘n Drum was located at 53 Main Street and opened the restaurant on January 20, 1973.
According to Potts, the restaurant faced initial difficulties as a result of the energy crisis of the 1970s. The oil embargo made it difficult to deliver to restaurants, so his father drove to New York to pick up produce, meat, etc., and his mother went to Manhassett to pick up fish.
“It was really tricky at first, but he worked hard and we were always hanging in there,” Potts said. “When the restaurant turned 25, it was like we were surviving generations. With us here, the community has certainly changed…more people have moved here and it has become easier to make a living here…more businesses have opened too It has made it easier for me to stay in business.”
Beyond the restaurant’s food and service, Potts said music has always been the building’s glue, and that her father’s music became “an essential part of entering this building.” Potts, who calls the piano an “absolute pleasure”, said that Treymon loved playing the piano in restaurants, had an “incredible repertoire” of songs that he performed at the request of customers, and was a regular customer. He said he remembered the customer’s favorite song.
Dolph Treymon passed away on Christmas Eve 2016. Potts said he was playing the piano until six weeks before his death. Audrey Traymon passed away in 2018.
Of what his father would say about his restaurant reaching such a milestone, Potts said, “He would have been proud. He loves this business and all of it so passionately.” I did.”
Looking to the future, Potts said he wants to keep up to date “with what’s out there, with food,” keep people exposed to music, and “be the face of Kent.”