CK's celebrates 5 years in Ahwatukee Foothills

This month CK's Tavern and Grill will celebrate its fifth anniversary, and Kendra Fleetwood, who co-owns the restaurant with her brother Chad Flaum, attributes the success to having a consistent staff and loyal regular customers.

During a time when other restaurants and bars in the Ahwatukee Foothills area are closing or changing ownership, CK's has prospered.

"Our regulars walk in the door and we're already pouring their drinks before they sit down," Fleetwood said. "It's really like the cliché of the Cheers TV show."

Eighty percent of the current CK's staff has been working at the restaurant for two years, which is uncommon in the restaurant industry. According to Fleetwood, customer service is important to the CK's staff.

"We're not sitting pretty thinking we'll always be fine," she said. "We work hard every day to keep our customers coming back."

Ahwatukee Foothills residents are also drawn to CK's because of its live music offerings.

"We decided to be a destination live music place with quality bands," Fleetwood added. "It's nice for people to be able to hear live music close to home, and not have to drive out of Ahwatukee Foothills."

July 19 will mark the fifth anniversary of when Fleetwood's family bought and took over Bar None, CK's previous name. The family did not change the name to CK's until January 1, 2005.

"We're planning a huge party for this coming January to celebrate the re-naming of CK's," Fleetwood said. "Our big event this summer will be our fourth golf tournament, which will take place in September at Club West."

Proceeds from the tournament will go to the Arizona Humane Society and the Crisis Nursery of Phoenix.

"It's a big tournament with tons of giveaways, and people love it," Fleetwood said.

Overall, she looks at her experience of running CK's as a positive one. While CK's is her family's third restaurant, Fleetwood came to manage CK's directly from a job at Intel.

"My family asked me to run the restaurant, and it was a shock at first, but it became much better than I expected," she said.

According to Fleetwood, the best part about her time at CK's has been the different customers she has met.

"People who live in the neighborhoods around here come in for a beer after work or to watch a game," she said. "We also have families that come in here for dinner a couple of times each week. Our customer base is very diverse."

CK's is located at 4142 E. Chandler Blvd. For more information about CK's hours of operation or live band schedule, visit www.ckgrill.com.