BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—As a teenager, Kim Stamper worked to provide hungry diners with excellent service and a welcoming atmosphere—all the while dreaming of the day when she could open her own family-friendly restaurant and casual gathering place for the community. Six years ago, armed with 20 years of waitressing experience, a knack for making connections, and the confidence and backing of local investors, Stamper took the plunge, and Lulu’s Kitchen was born.
“I love people and I’ve met so many people that have basically become family to me at this point,” said Stamper about her years as a server and her decision to open her own restaurant. “I just wanted to give everybody a place to gather.
“I was raised in a home where you didn’t bring candy home unless you had some for everybody. That mentality just kind of stuck. I went with it. So now I just feed everybody.”
Stamper was 15 when she started working as a waitress at PoMos Country Cafe and Pizza Emporium in Nevada. Later, she spent 10 years waiting tables at Carolyn’s Kitchen in Bucyrus before taking on the role of general manager at the Bucyrus Diner (formerly known as Vanessa’s and, before that, Gus’s Grill and Grog).
The founder and co-owner of the Bucyrus Diner, Harmon Guss, died in 2012 following a cancer diagnosis. Then, in 2018, a motorcycle crash claimed the life of Donnie Shifer, Guss’s business partner and the restaurant’s other owner.
“When Donnie died, and the restaurant closed, we both lost our jobs,” Stamper explained in a 2019 Crawford County Now article highlighting the grand opening of Lulu’s Kitchen. After an unsuccessful attempt to purchase the Bucyrus Diner, Stamper said she and her husband decided to lease (and later purchase) the former Michael’s Pizza building at 1640 Marion Road in Bucyrus.
“After Donnie passed away, there were not a lot of ‘sit-down-and-eat’ places that had that ‘small diner feel,’” she said. “One day, two regular customers of mine called me up and said, ‘Go find a building.’
“I had no clue that anybody would ever offer me money like that. I was just a waitress. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be here; and if it wasn’t for my staff, I wouldn’t be here,” Stamper continued. “I tell people all the time that this whole place is built on karma. I feel like I’ve been a good person my whole life. I try to bend over backward for people and kill people with kindness … it just goes to show you that you never know who’s watching and who you’re inspiring.”
When the Bucyrus Diner closed, Stamper said 24 employees lost their jobs. So she hired them all back when she opened Lulu’s Kitchen.
“We hired the entire staff back because it [was] the right thing to do,” she said. Today, the Lulu’s Kitchen staff consists of 25 employees, many of whom have been with the restaurant since it opened.
Taking the Bad with the Good
Known for its breakfasts and burgers, Lulu’s Kitchen has had six years full of memories—good and bad.
Upon opening, the restaurant was recognized as having the “Best Burger in Central Ohio” by NBC 4 and, in 2019, was awarded “Business of the Year” by the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce.
On the other hand, “being shut down by the government our second year” wasn’t quite as great.
Stamper also said grappling with increased food prices has been challenging. However, she’s not alone in this struggle. The entire restaurant industry is struggling with high prices, which has resulted in an influx of restaurant closures throughout Central Ohio.
“We try to make our menu as homemade as possible because it’s cheaper than buying store-bought frozen stuff,” said Stamper. “Our burgers and fries aren’t frozen and we try to buy locally. Most of our products come from Smith [Family] Foods out of Tiffin. They’re our biggest distributor.”
Looking Ahead
After six years of restaurant ownership, Stamper says she has some big plans for the years ahead, including a renovation and more community involvement. Unfortunately for some, a Lulu’s Restaurant franchise doesn’t appear to be in the cards any time soon. Neither is the prospect of serving alcohol.
“I definitely want to remodel the front of our building,” she said. “It still looks like a Chinese restaurant. And I’d like to revamp the inside. That’s my goal.”
Stamper said she has come close to buying another restaurant but soon changed her mind.
“I’ve had so many people tell me, you need a restaurant in Upper, you need a restaurant in Marion, but I don’t want more than one right now. One has been plenty,” she said. “I don’t want to be the owner of two mediocre restaurants. I just want to focus on having one really great one.”
Creating a family-oriented restaurant that doesn’t serve alcohol has also been a point of pride.
“If a dispensary wants to open up across the street, I’d be all about that. But I don’t have a desire to be a bar,” she said. “Besides Bob Evans, Pickwick, and places like that, we’re one of the only sit-down-and-eat restaurants that don’t serve alcohol. We are a family-oriented establishment and, to me, the decision not to serve alcohol is deliberate.”
Stamper says she also works to give back to the community whenever possible.
“Something about growing up poor makes you want to give a little extra,” she said. “It’s just who I am. I’m a giver. I’ve always been that way and I don’t plan on changing.”
Lulu’s Kitchen currently donates food to New Day Ministries and supports local sports teams and the performing arts whenever possible.
Keeping It Real
If you’ve been to Lulu’s, then you’ve probably noticed their slate of sarcastic shirts.
“I’ve been a server for so long and I’ve kind of always been the funny sarcastic server. I feel like everybody in the area knows that about me,” said Stamper. “The shirts are a joke, but they represent me—sarcastic and funny. I know some people don’t like them, but a lot of people like them a lot. I feel like after being a server for 20 years, I can kind of make those jokes.
“We’re all very nice though,” she continued. “We never want this to be a place where, when you walk in, you feel uncomfortable. I’m not like that. I’ve never been like that. So I don’t want my restaurant to be like that.”
A family-first business, Stamper said it has never been her intention to open Lulu’s Kitchen just to turn around and sell it. She is here for the long haul. And when she can no longer do it, she said she plans to leave the restaurant to her children, Riley and Owen, who also work at the restaurant.
“My son cooks six days a week and Riley has done dishes and has served tables,” she said. “And while I’m not on the schedule every day, I love being on the floor and helping my staff.”
“I feel like we are a place that makes you feel at home. And because most of my staff has been here since day one, you are always gonna see a familiar face.”
Lulu’s Kitchen, located at 1640 Marion Road, Bucyrus, is open 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. More information can be found on the restaurant’s Facebook page.