Grazers Restaurant has been a part of downtown Kent since 2015. After more than a decade in business, the restaurant is set to close this weekend.

Owner and co-founder Stacey Lasher said the restaurant was built with a mission of serving quality food and creating human connections. That focus helped establish a loyal customer base in the Kent community, creating a space for customers to return regularly and share stories.

Over the years, Grazers became more than a restaurant. It truly became a family. After the death of Stacey’s partner and co-founder Carl Bauer, everything changed. The mission remained the same, but the way to achieve it changed.

Lasher is currently working on a book that will focus on sharing the story beyond the restaurant itself, with details about her personal life and secret cooking recipes.

Grazers will close for the final time on Feb. 21, with a farewell open house scheduled for the following day. While the doors may close, the legacy will live on long after the storefront is gone. The closure marks a transition for both the business and its future direction, from a location to a legacy.

Amanda Nichele is a reporter for KSTV. Contact her at [email protected].