After ‘gut-wrenching’ closure in spring, Boise restaurant to reopen unexpectedly
When Lemon Tree Co. co-owner Jasson Parra closed his Harris Ranch location in late March, he expected the situation to be depressingly permanent.
Unable to staff the sandwich shop adequately while overseeing his other two restaurants, Parra was forced into a decision that was “gut-wrenching,” he admitted then, after all the “blood, sweat and tears.”
Parra sounds more cheerful nowadays.
In a surprising change of plans, Lemon Tree in East Boise is coming back.
The neighborhood destination at 3724 S. Eckert Road — which will go back to sharing space with The STIL ice creamery — reopens Wednesday, July 9.
And Parra himself will be grinning behind the counter.
‘Great’ new employees
Over the past few months, he was able to find “great people” to run Lemon Tree’s downtown sandwich shop at 224 N. 10th St., Parra said, and his expanded cafe concept, The Grove by Lemon Tree Co., at 404 E. Parkcenter Blvd.
Consequently, he’ll be able to focus on Harris Ranch, something he wasn’t able to do fully after launching the store in 2022.
“When we opened up that location, I essentially opened up ParkCenter pretty much back to back,” Parra said. “So that didn’t really allow me to open up Harris Ranch like I did the other locations, where I was there, building up the business.
“This kind of allows me to get back to those roots. I will be there until we are able to get the right team in place and build that back up. And then we’ll talk about expanding hours and all that stuff.”
Initially, the reincarnated sandwich shop will serve from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, and 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.
Dining with a ‘personal touch’
Serving artisan sandwiches “with a twist,” Lemon Tree’s original downtown restaurant debuted in 2018. The concept hooks patrons by crafting sandwiches with gourmet nods yet wide appeal — like the Sausage & Pear (sooo tasty) or even a Massaman Curry Vegan Banh Mi.
When Parra shuttered the Harris Ranch store, he felt bad about abandoning the collaborative spot with The STIL. He also had to continue paying rent on the sublease.
Returning from the grave there isn’t just gratifying, he said. It almost feels like a miracle.
“That’s what I’m banking on,” Parra said. “I’m hoping the community will be, like, ‘We’re glad to have you back, and we’re going to come out and support.’
“I also think having a personal touch is going to help as well. Now they’re going to get that.”