Pak A Sak owner opts to pack it in

By Robert Barron Staff Writer

May 08, 2008 12:31 am

— A trademark Enid restaurant has closed and is looking for a buyer.
A sign on the door at Pak A Sak, 429 E. Maine, said the owner is retiring and the restaurant is for sale. The sign includes an e-mail address — pakasakenid@yahoo.com — to notify the owner, Kent Crook, if anyone is interested in buying the business.
Crook is the second generation to operate the business, which he obtained from his mother, Phyllis Guthrie, but the drive-up restaurant has been a popular lunch time destination for many years.
The property is owned by St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. Cyndy Shep-herd, a spokeswoman for St. Mary’s, said the hospital purchased the property in 2007.
“We are pretty well landlocked and hope at some point to expand,” Shepherd said.
There are no immediate plans, but Shepherd said the hospital has been purchasing lots in that block whenever the opportunities have arisen.
The hospital had an agreement with Crook, who leased the property for Pak A Sak, she said.
If anyone purchases the business, Shepherd said, he or she would have the opportunity for the same lease as Crook.
“We had the opportunity to get the whole block, which is to our advantage. But we didn’t want to compromise Pak A Sak. We wanted them to stay open and run their business like always,” Shepherd said.
Crook could not be reached for comment.