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Foundational Piece

Waitress Celebrates 50 Years At Davidson’s Restaurant

LAKEWOOD -- A lot can change over the span of 50 years, but Kathy Putnam's presence at Davidson's Restaurant has been a constant.

Putnam recently celebrated her 50th anniversary of working at the landmark Lakewood restaurant. She's worked for all three generations of the restaurant's local ownership. Putnam began working at Davidson's on July 1, 1976 at 21 years old. While at the time she said she began working there just because it was a job, over the years she has stayed because she found that she really enjoys it, and especially enjoys working with people. Over the years, some things have changed, including the owners, but Putnam said every change has been good.

"I've been through three sets of owners," Putnam said. "Leslie's grandparents, then Leslie's parents and now Leslie (Genareo) I think has had it for about 15 years. She might have had it longer than that, I can't remember, but she is good to work for."

For Genareo, Putnam being one of the few servers at the restaurant that has worked for all three generations of owners is part of what helps to make the restaurant feel like home.

"For Davidson's Kathy is one of the servers that make Davidson's a home and truly feel like a family restaurant," Genareo said. "Her energy is always positive and upbeat and people look forward to her shifts. She treats her customers like family and always with a smile and a laugh. We tease her as the Head Waitress but she truly is one of the foundations of this restaurant. We are lucky to have her."

Putnam is now 71, and still enjoys her job and talking with customers, though she said she only works 15 hours a week right now, and while she does not plan on quitting soon, with time she will eventually retire. But, as long as she can still move, Putnam said she plans to stay.

"Maybe down the road I will retire and have more time to enjoy my kids, grandkids and great-grandkids," Putnam said. "I do now because I don't work that many hours, but I enjoy getting out and I enjoy working."

Putnam added that she was pregnant with her son, who is now 48, while working for Davidson's, and Genareo's mother was pregnant with her at the same time, something else that tells just how long Putnam has worked there.

Putnam emphasized that Genareo is very nice to work for, and that she enjoys seeing her customers, with many regulars that have come and gone. With being 71 years old, she said she is taking everything one day at a time.

As for Davidson's, Genareo said the hope for the future is to continue to be able to serve good food to good customers for many years to come.

"We are thankful for the years of support our customers have had for our restaurant," Genareo said. "With the trying economy we understand the decision on where to go out to eat is harder and we love when people still choose Davidson's."