Idle Isle Cafe’s Sad Story: Utah’s Oldest Continually Operating Restaurant Sold Amid Controversy and Claims of Staff Mistreatment
Brigham City’s Idle Isle Café, which closed amid controversy last May, has been sold. In a phone call a few days ago, former owner Corinna Harris confirmed the 104-year-old restaurant was sold to an “undisclosed” buyer, along with the “Idle Isle Café” name and its recipes.
“I have no idea who bought it,” she told me.
Without knowing who the buyer is, it’s hard to know what’s next. But even if it re-opens under the same Idle Isle name, it technically can’t claim its long-standing title of “Utah’s oldest continually operating restaurant.”
Why am I writing about this now? Because I feel that this historic gem of a restaurant deserves a better ending to its 100-plus years in business. As a long-time food editor and restaurant writer, I feel that the Idle Isle’s long, interesting history should be remembered. And I’m hoping that those who have more knowledge about it will share a comment at the end of the story. Especially if you know who the new owner is and what they’re planning.
Community concerns erupted last May when the Idle Isle’s owners suddenly closed the restaurant and announced on social media that they planned to sell the building, but take Idle Isle Cafe name and recipes to re-open in other locations. Former staffers posted comments on the Box Elder News & Info Facebook page with stories of a hostile work environment and unpaid wages. And the Box Elder News & Journal reported that nearly $54,000 in tax liens had been filed against the café and its owners, according to 2nd District Court records.
Meanwhile, the Idle Isle Café sat idle, for the first time since it was opened in 1921 by Percy and Verabel Knudson.
Governor Cox at the Idle Isle Cafe’s 104th anniversary celebration. photo taken from Gov. Cox public Facebook page.
It’s ironic that on May 14, Governor Spencer Cox helped celebrate the Idle Isle’s 104th birthday, lauding it as a “gathering place where history, hospitality and home-cooked meals come together.”
About a week later, staffers and customers found the doors locked; a sign said “closed for building maintenance and vacation.”
A May 22 social media post from Idle Isle Cafe (since taken down) said: “For the past three years, Idle Isle Café has been more than a restaurant. It’s been a cornerstone of community and connection in Brigham City. When we purchased the building, it wasn’t for fame or profit. It was to preserve a piece of local heritage and keep the space from being lost to something that didn’t reflect the values of our community…”
“…Today, we are stepping into the next chapter, one that demands our full attention and heart. Our new focus and vision are already capturing the attention of leaders across the state and the nation.
“Selling the building wasn’t an easy decision, but it is necessary. We received an offer that we could not refuse, allowing us to pursue our dream of expanding Idle Isle Café to new locations across Utah. We believe this gem is too special to stay hidden. We are excited to bring its home-style charm and commitment to quality to more communities and keeping the spirit of Idle Isle Café alive. The name, the recipes, and the legacy will continue – preserved, honored, and ready for the next generation.”
“This transition also gives us the opportunity to focus on our growing family responsibilities, including caring for my very ill father-in-law.
“Thank you, Brigham City, for three years. This chapter has meant the world to us. We are looking forward to what comes next, and we can’t wait to share our journey with you. Stay tuned for updates on Facebook and Instagram to see where we open our new Idle Isle locations.”
On the Brigham City News & Info Facebook page, Brigham City residents expressed dismay about the idea of taking the Idle Isle brand from the community. Accusations by former employees soon followed on the same Facebook page. In an ABC-4 news story, they claimed the owners yelled, swore, threw food at them, talked inappropriately, and meddled in their private lives. Some claimed that the owners’ management issues contributed to the restaurant’s decline.
The owner of Idle Isle Candy, Shari Mellen VanDyke, also posted a reminder that her candy store has been a separate business since 1994, and isn’t involved with the cafe’s closure. The candy store (across the street from the cafe) remains open for business as usual.
Located at 24 S. Main Street, the Idle Isle Cafe was known for old-fashioned comfort classics like beef pot roast and hot turkey sandwiches, with house-baked rolls and apricot jam. Over the years, the restaurant retained its original marble-and-onyx soda fountain counter, grandfather clock and hand-crafted wooden booths. Stepping into Idle Isle was like stepping back in time.
When celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2021, then-owner Travis Porter said the restaurant had “a rich history of struggle and determination and a will to survive. It’s an honor for us to do business in Brigham City.” Attending the anniversary dinner, I learned more about the cafe’s history.
Verabel and Percy Knudson first opened the Idle Isle as a an ice cream parlor and candy business. Percy worked two years at The Bluebird in Logan to learn the ice cream and candy business, according to Verabel’s history.
In a contest to name the new business, Mrs. Walderman Call won a $10 prize for suggesting “Idle Isle.”
The Knudson/Call families ran both the Idle Isle Cafe and Idle Isle Candy until 1994. The Knudson’s grandson, Richard VanDyke, decided to sell the café in order to focus solely on the candy side of the business. Although both carry the Idle Isle name, the two became separate businesses, and the candy shop is located across the street.
When VanDyke put the café up for sale in 1994, a restaurant staffer, Cariann Jeppsen Brady, asked her parents, Kim and Ann Jeppsen, about buying it. The Jeppsens ran it as a family enterprise for many years. Then their daughter, Jana and her husband, Travis Porter, became owners in 2015. Jonathan and Corinna Harris bought it from them in 2022.
For a more complete history of the Idle Isle, click here.
The Idle Isle survived the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, World War II, and I-15 construction that routed business away from Brigham City’s Main Street.
It also survived the Covid pandemic, although then-owner Travis Porter wasn’t sure the restaurant would make it to its 100th anniversary. But it did, by reducing staff, pivoting to takeout meals and baked goods, and with customer support.
The Porters sold the Idle Isle Cafe to Corinna and Jonathan Harris in 2022. When I interviewed the Harrises in 2023, they were enthusiastic about keeping it in business for years to come. They said they were keeping classics like the chicken fried steak, and even the Monday night liver and onions special. They added some dishes to appeal to a younger crowd, such as the Cowboy Carson Bison Burger, and appetizers like a Bavarian pretzel and colossal onion rings.
But somewhere between the time I interviewed them in 2023 and and May 2025, things apparently went awry.
Corinna Harris was cautious in her comments to me on the phone, but did she confirm that the new owner bought the Idle Isle Cafe name and recipes along with the building. So apparently, it’s a moot point to worry about that the name will be franchised elsewhere. The restaurant could conceivably re-open under its old name and menu, depending on the new owner’s intentions. (And if you’re the new owner, give me a call! Let’s talk about your plans!)
Some of Utah’s older restaurants have struggled to keep their footing with increased competition and an uncertain economy. Lamb’s Grill in downtown Salt Lake City, founded in 1919, claimed to be the state’s oldest restaurant until it closed in 2017. The family-owned Ramblin’ Roads bought it last year and opened it as another Ramblin’ Roads restaurant.
The Bluebird, another contender for the “oldest restaurant” title, closed down for renovations during Covid, and supposedly will open soon. The Oaks in Ogden Canyon (first opened in 1903) closed in 2019. New owners re-opened in 2020, but closed it again in 2021. Earlier this year, it was sold to David and Cora Neal; I’d love to see a comeback. Graycliff Lodge, another Ogden Canyon eatery since 1945, closed in 2022 and is still up for sale. And Windy’s Sukiyaki in Ogden, closed in Sept. 2025 after more than 50 years in business. A new owner bought the restaurant in 2024 and invested heavily in upgrades to keep the restaurant viable. But a year later, it closed, citing a challenging economy.
Another long-time Brigham City restaurant, Bert’s Cafe, is closing in on 100 years. Founded in 1929 by Albert LeRoy Olsen, it was passed down through two more generations, both also named Albert LeRoy Olsen. In 2023, the Albert LeRoy Olsen III lost his battle with throat cancer. The restaurant is still operating, but it’s up for sale.
Now, we will have to wait and see if the Idle Isle stages a comeback.
Meanwhile, click here for a list of some of Utah’s other oldest restaurants.