Greg Lanoue, a partner in the long time family business Stevi Café in downtown Stevensville, has stepped out to the highway (and the associated bike path) to open up a different kind of eatery, called Stevi Stop & Go. You can get the same juicy burgers made with fresh, never frozen, certified Angus beef that you get at the Stevi Café, plus a few things unique to the new spot.
“Burgers, fries and cherry pies and really, really great salads locally sourced,” is the tagline Lanoue is using to describe the offerings. He is especially proud of his salad bar, which is stocked from a local co-op. The cooperative was formed by Amy Hutton who works at the Agricultural Research Station in Corvallis as a way to help facilitate the sale of fresh local produce to local restaurants. As a restaurant owner, Lanoue said it was really important to know the source of your food and he enjoys supporting other local businesses because they all share a place in the local community.
The most amazing thing about the venture, according to Lanoue, is the help he got from so many people in the community, especially John Dunn, but he also got help from Randy Jones, Bill and Jan Perrin, Scooby Maxfield, Mike O’Leary, and Joe Marshall. They helped with wiring, with carpentry, with painting and with ideas.
“There was lots of conversation and advice,” said Lanoue. “A lot of people put in a lot of time. I can’t express to you how much I appreciate it.” Lanoue said he attended a job fair at the school and got some applications for work from some of the students.
“I was really impressed with the kids,” he said. “They are smart and they are civic minded.”
Lanoue said that he was continuing the family tradition of the Stevi Café out on the highway and you would see a lot of his family and friends working at the new Stop & Go.
“We love to make food. It’s about doing what you love and supporting the local community,” he said.
The new restaurant is located at 3909 Hwy 93 N (next to Subway) near the Stevensville Junction. Hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. The phone number is 880-3010.