Hospitality Industry NEWS
A special section of Lower Columbia BUSINESS

2 Motels and a Pizza Parlor, no...Pizzeria
Not Quite Prime Time TV Fare, But Changes are happening in Seaside

There are changes of a subtle nature happening in the hospitality business in Seaside. Each of the three businesses profiled this issue has had a recent change in ownership or management. Each of the changes is difficult to discern from the outside of the business looking in. We'll peek from the inside for a minute at what is happening at the Colonial Motor Inn, the Seasider Motel, and Creekside Pizzeria, formerly BJ's Pizza Palace.

The Colonial Motor Inn

The Colonial Motor Inn sits quietly on the west side of Holladay Drive, just south of 12 Avenue in Seaside. It has been owned for the last 21 years by a CPA firm out of Portland. As of August 20, 1999 (Jumping in in the middle of the fire?) a new owner took over, hiring new managers as she did so.
The new owner is Shirley Co from Seattle. Shirley was born in Taipei, Taiwan and moved to the United States in 1977. According to her partner, Milton Mittelman, she "arrived in Reno with $50.00 in her pocket and played blackjack. She won $800.00 that night and felt that this was truly the land paved in gold." Shirley confirms his rendition and states that she went on to be involved with real estate for three years prior to purchasing a motel in Carson City. She sold her motel in order to retire. As with many active people, retirement wasn't all it was cracked up to be, so Shirley purchased the smaller, 10 room Colonial Motor Inn in Seaside and hired some assistants. "It is a small property," she said " so it won't be that much work." She and partner Milton come down seasonally or as needed. In the meantime, however, new managers, Amanda and Mike Venzitie live on premises and are working on the property. Mike has retired from the construction business and currently the property is in the process of adding an additional bathroom and walk-in closet to unit #10 at the end.
While most of the rooms were refurbished within the last six years, and have nice carpet and linens, with queen or king-sized beds, unit #10 is a different story. It is tucked at the end of the property, nestled on the bank of the Necanicum River. It has cathedral ceilings, a stone-faced fireplace, full kitchen and a queen-sized Murphy bed. When combined with adjoining room #9 (2 queen beds, private bath), it can accommodate quite a family. The room is booked, says Milton, most weekends and all summer long.
Rates at the Colonial range from $38.00 to $139.00 and a combination of rooms 9 and 10 will rent for $250.00 per evening.
The Colonial is AAA approved and provides covered parking, for the front part of your car, anyway. The Inn is smoke free and cannot accommodate pets, but children may stay free of charge.

Colonial Motor Inn
Owner: Shirley Co
Address: 1120 North Holladay Drive
Seaside, Oregon 91738
Telephone: 503/738-6295
Toll Free: 800/221-3804
Fax: 503/738-8347
E-mail: m7386295@yahoo.com

Seasider Motel

Another small Seaside property, the Seasider Motel, began its life as a series of garages right off the Prom on 5th Avenue. After owner John Wolf bought the property in 1977, he used the suite on the property for himself, and it is now nicknamed, The Condo. Wolf converted the rest of the property to a motel in 1989, and it now offers 3 queen rooms, 3 double rooms plus "The Condo," which sleeps six and has two bedrooms, plus a kitchen and a hot tub.
Prices at the Seasider range from $45 for two in the winter, up to $75 for two in the summer months.
Karen Zamora, head housekeeper at Seaside's Motel 6, also owned by Wolf, was recently promoted October 1, 1999 to also manage the Seasider. She now lives on the property with her family and her husband, Ray Zamora, retired from 25 years of shearing sheep. Karen met Ray, who is originally from Texas, when he fixed her car. Karen is originally from Nebraska, but moved out here to follow her children.
The Seasider has commercial rates, senior discounts and welcomes small pets.

Seasider Motel
Owner: John Wolf
Managers: Karen and Ray Zamora
Address: 110 Fifth Avenue
Seaside, Oregon 97138
Telephone: 503/738-7764
Toll Free: 800/840-7764

Creekside Pizzeria

The biggest changes for Creekside Pizzeria are happening on the inside. The property has a new name, new owners, new pizza ingredients and plenty of new paint.
The property, formerly known as BJ's Pizza Palace, is located right on Highway 101 on the north end of Seaside. New owners William "Bill" and Teresa Ayotte are both native Oregonians. Bill began his training 25 years ago under well-known Portland chefs and he has owned his own small restaurant and a restaurant supply business. He will be the chef at Creekside.
Teresa worked for 12 years at the Old Mill Restaurant in Garibaldi as a waitress/hostess/cook, prior to relocating to the north coast five years ago. She has worked for four years in the deli in Hauke's Sentry Market in Astoria. She will be the general manager in charge of the day-to-day operations at Creekside.
Bill's brother, Brian Ayotte, was with Who-Song and Larry's in Vancouver for five years as waiter and manager. He then worked for Anthony's on the Bay as a waiter. He will manage the wait staff and the front of the house.
When they bought the Pizza Palace from Bonnie and Jerry Eller, they also purchased their special "secret recipe" for pizza crust. According to Bill it is still a secret, but he plans on improving upon the recipe. Creekside specializes in Twice-Baked Sicilian pizza, and fresh-boasted chicken dinners. "We are more than a pizza parlor but not quite a full-scale Italian restaurant, either," said Bill.
Menu items range from $4.25 for a Roast Beef or ham sandwich from Teresa's Deli to $11.95 for the Creekside Sampler, which includes fresh boasted chicken, spaghetti and lasagna. The restaurant does have a beer and wine license and private party rooms are available. The children's play area will stay and they are adding a handicap restroom. LCB

Ayotte's Creekside Pizzeria
Owners: William "Bill" & Teresa Ayotte
Address: 2490 Highway 101
Seaside, Oregon 97138
Telephone: 503/738-7763
Hours: Tues - Thurs, 11a - 9p
Friday, Saturday 11a - 10p
Sunday, 11a - 9p · Closed Mon.

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