Former employee re-opens closed Fairfield restaurant

Lisa’s Kitchen

What: New restaurant opening in the space of the former Red Squirrel, serving homestyle foods and breakfast all day

Where: 6601 Dixie Hwy. (Ohio 4), Fairfield

Phone: 513-682-5902

Owner: Lisa Hall

Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays

A long-running employee of closed Fairfield restaurant Red Squirrel re-opened the local eatery this week under a new name.

Lisa Hall worked 27 years as a waitress and floor manager for Red Squirrel when it closed in August, she said.

It was one of several area restaurants that suddenly closed at the end of July and early August owned by Dennis Kurlas. Kurlas also closed Red Squirrel locations known for its double decker sandwiches in Springdale and Sharonville, and the Riverbank Café in downtown Hamilton.

Hall, saying she missed her guests and good friends, opened on Monday Lisa’s Kitchen serving home style cooking and breakfast all day at 6601 Dixie Hwy., Fairfield.

Although familiar with the restaurant business as a waitress for many years, Hall said reviving the almost 30-year-old restaurant meant learning how to do food orders and managing the cost of food and inventory.

“I brought it back because it’s like a second home to me,” Hall said. “I want to make this restaurant succeed.”

Lisa’s Kitchen is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.

The small business has eight employees, including three other people who used to work at Red Squirrel, Hall said.

Kurlas told Journal-News in July he closed for personal and business reasons. He could not be reached for comment for this story.

John Stretch, of North Ridge Realty Group, is the leasing broker for the building owner of 102 Main St., Hamilton. That’s where Kurlas’ former restaurant Riverbank Cafe was located.

“We’ve had a lot of activity, it’s been exciting. It’s a fantastic corner,” Stretch said. “It’ll be a great site for a new operator.”