PHIL RAISTAKKA photo New owner Bobbie Jo Stepro, on the left, receives the keys to the Oh Carol's Restaurant and the Naselle Village Inn Motel from the previous owner Carol Walter.

NASELLE – Oh Carol’s Restaurant, which has been a mainstay in the Naselle area since 1972 and for many years before that as O’Conner’s Inn, has changed hands.

The restaurant/lounge and the adjoining Naselle Village Inn Motel welcomed their last customers on Wednesday, Aug. 24. That is the date when the owner since 1972, Carol Walter, turned over the keys to the businesses to new owner Bobbie Jo Stepro.

The normally upbeat Walter had some difficulty in expressing her feelings on leaving the area after a 33-year career in the Naselle valley as the emotions of the event took over.

“First, I want to express my thanks to the people of the whole community,” Walter said. “It’s been a heck of a ride because of those people.

“I am just thrilled that I am able to sell to a local person who has the community’s interests in mind. Bobbie Jo [Stepro] has had experience in a family business and she worked for me when she first moved to Naselle in 1990.

“If the community treats Bobbie as well as they treated me, and I know they will, the businesses will continue to thrive and be an asset to the community.”

Walter concluded by stating that she will continue to live in Longview.

Stepro, the new owner, also operates the Kelly Creek Nursery and Pond Supply and she plans to continue with that business as well as with her new business ventures. She began full time operation of the restaurant-motel on Thursday, Aug. 25.

Stepro said, “As time progresses, I plan to make some changes in the restaurant and bar which will be renamed ‘Bar’ while the motel will be named the ‘Wheretheheckarewe Motel.’

“In the restaurant, I plan to start serving breakfast. I also plan to separate the bar and restaurant a little more and have live entertainment in the bar. I am looking forward to working with all of the local people and travelers at all three of my businesses,” Stepro concluded.