Former mayor Allan Gainer tells us the story
From Italian kitchen to classic burgers, Lenny's has gone through different phases over the years serving the Cheney community.
CHENEY – Lenny's Classic Restaurant has closed down and will go up for sale at the end of October. Owner Allan Gainer cites economic shifts such as inflation and a reduction in expendable income as factors in his decision to close the business.
Rising food costs also took a toll on the sustainability of the restaurant. In the past, Lenny's was known for its milkshakes, Stromboli, and the popular "bag'o burgers." All of these items were revived by Gainer when he acquired the business in 2021.
Gainer, a former mayor of Cheney and an Eastern Washington University alum, is a lifelong resident of the city. During the 1980's, Gainer worked for the original owner of Lenny's, Lenny Martire. "Lenny and that job helped get me through school." Gainer said.
"The real cost of doing business, for me, was the effort expended in trying to hire people who would stick around." Gainer said.
After acquiring Lenny's, Gainer says he "made an effort to revive and elevate the food served at Lenny's. I wanted to turn it into a higher-quality establishment. I replaced the electrical, put up new walls, and basically made everything better."
Gainer says he hopes somebody can take over and make a success out of the classic Cheney location.
Lucas is a former Cheney Free Press managing editor. He is a nationally published author who contributes regularly to several publications across the country.
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