Serving Franklin County, WA
Serving Franklin County, WA
Eatery owned by Paul and Bridget Coon
WASHTUCNA – A longtime, iconic eatery will officially reopen Thursday afternoon here, three years to the day after it closed.
Sonny’s Tavern, 250 S.W. Main St., will host a soft opening from 4-11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, for farmers, friends and first responders.
“We are dedicating this special place to the local first responders, many of whom are volunteers, and farmers and ranchers who work together to make this community a great place to live,” co-owner Bridget Coon said. “Our first night of service will be for our friends and neighbors far and wide who support each other and strive to strengthen the quality of life our rural area offers.”
Coon co-owns the business with her husband, Paul Coon. The couple owns the Bar U Ranch near Benge.
Bridget Coon is also the state Farm Bureau’s first vice-president and Paul Coon is the Benge Fire District No. 6 volunteer fire chief; he’s volunteered with the department since he was 18 years old.
“We are dedicating this special place to the local first responders, many of whom are volunteers, and farmers and ranchers who work together to make this community a great place to live,” Bridget Coon said. “Our first night of service will be for our friends and neighbors far and wide who support each other and strive to strengthen the quality of life our rural area offers.”
“Our volunteer and professional first responders provide essential services to all who live and travel through here every day,” Paul Coon added. “We want to make Sonny’s a respite from the work and some of the stress that comes with our agricultural jobs and volunteer roles, responding to calls for help.”
The opening night event and ongoing exclusive offers for Washington Farm Bureau members supports the organization’s effort to grow membership and fulfill its mission to strengthen the future of agriculture.
Anyone who supports agriculture can become a member, Bridget Coon said, noting Adams County Farm Bureau leaders will be on hand to help new members sign up.
Business and associate “Friend of Farmers” memberships are also available.
Sonny’s Tavern will be a family friendly eatery, the Coons said, noting the restaurant has long been known for its “broasted chicken and Joes” – an order of marinated, pressure-fried chicken and a quartered Russet potato.
The Coons will also be adding new items to the menu, including hamburgers featuring Bar U Ranch cattle processed at Washington State University Meats.
The couple is also planning to add cheese and ice cream from the university creamery as well as beer and wine from the area.
Iconic history
Prior to 1963, the eatery was known as the Arrowhead Tavern. That year, Sonny and Carol Lund of Benge bought the restaurant and renamed it Sonny’s Tavern.
Carol Lund ran the tavern for 33 years, but temporarily retired so she could take care of Sonny Lund until he passed away in 1998.
With the help of her family, she reopened the eatery from 2005-2007 and then permanently retired.
Ronald B. Ackles Sr. purchased the building Jan. 24, 2011. He sold 50% interest in the business and building to Glen and Christian Running II on July 21, 2016.
Ackles and the Runnings remodeled the restaurant in 2019 and briefly reopened in 2020, but were forced to close due to Gov. Jay Inslee’s coronavirus mandates.
Adams County Assessor’s Office records show the Coons purchased the 1,976-foot restaurant building July 28, 2023.
Roger Harnack is the co-owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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