Seasons being resurrected in Pullman

Two local residents are planning to breathe new life into a once iconic Pullman restaurant.

Opened in 1970 overlooking downtown on the 300 block of Paradise Street, the Seasons Restaurant was one of the city's premier restaurants for decades before closing its doors in 1999.

Earlier this week the location was purchased by Pullman's Daquarii Rock and Sara Joplin. A website by previous owner Craig Dillard lists an asking price of $299,000.

Rock and Joplin hope to turn the former restaurant into one of the city's premier event spaces.

"Something for small parties," Rock said. "Anniversary parties, graduation parties. It holds about 50 people and it's got a full commercial kitchen."

Originally built 1892 as a parsonage for a church that had previously been located next door, Rock admits the building needs a lot of upgrades, both outside and within. But with the help of a group of friends - and possibly a fundraiser - the hope is to complete renovations, including interior remodeling and a new flight of stairs down to Paradise Street, in time to open this summer. A new roof is also on the to-do list, but Rock said it can wait a year.

"It's got solid bones, but it needs some work," she said.

In homage to its previous identity, Rock and Joplin have renamed the location the Seasoned House.

"Cause it's seasoned now. You know, it's old, it's seasoned," Rock said, laughing.

With renovations already underway, she said they hope to identify some nonprofit organizations that might like to use the main room of the house for meetings or perhaps a yoga class.

They are also interested in learning more about the history of the location and are eager to hear from members of the community who have fond memories from dining out there.

"We're looking for an oral history and old photographs," Rock said. "We'd like to put together a history of the home."

Bill McKee can be reached at (208) 883-4627, or by email to wmckee@dnews.com.