A Dream and a Doorway
Over the years, Emily had the privilege of working alongside Don Day, a partner in the company where she built much of her career. Don, a regular at the restaurant, quietly observed her dedication and passion for hospitality.
When Emily decided to pursue her dream of opening her own place, Don believed in her vision and stepped in as her investor and partner. With over 55 years of experience in construction and development, Don Day has become a true leader in revitalizing historic spaces. Through his firm, DFA, LTD, he led the renovation of the historic building in downtown Denison that we now call Emily’s Kitchen.
Their collaboration was built on shared values such as hard work, integrity, and a strong connection to the community. None of this would have been possible without Don Day and DFA, LTD, whose belief in Emily helped turn a dream into a lasting legacy.
Building the Heart of the House
Emily built her restaurant on heart and trust, beginning with a team who shared her passion for hospitality. From the start, these individuals played a crucial role in shaping what Emily’s Kitchen would become. Their dedication, creativity, and belief in the vision helped lay the foundation for everything we do today.
Dana Day has been a steady and grounding presence since the very beginning. Her quiet leadership, commitment to the team, and daily support behind the scenes have been essential to our growth and stability.
Carlos Suarez, Emily’s brother, contributed in the earliest days by helping with design and menu development and he continues to be a valued voice at Emily’s.
Hallie Aragonez, who worked with Emily in the past, brings a strong existing connection along with experience and leadership that continue to shape the culture of Emily’s Kitchen.
Ashley Lewis, a longtime friend and colleague of over 15 years, returned to the restaurant world to help bring Emily’s vision to life. Today, she leads our marketing, brand development, and the continued growth of our catering program.
Rhonda Borgne played a vital role in connecting us with the Denison community and helping share our story from the very beginning.
We’ve recently welcomed a few new leaders to our growing team. Angela Lewis and Andrea Adams have joined us as Managers, and Jesus Morales has stepped into the role of Head Bartender. We’re proud to continue building a team of individuals who share our same love for hospitality and commitment to excellence.
At the heart of Emily’s Kitchen is a strong core of people who lean on one another and lead with mutual respect. We believe that nothing lasting can be built without love, kindness, and genuine care for each other. These values shape every decision we make and every experience we create, both for our guests and our team.
The Road Ahead
Emily is always moving forward, driven by a passion to create a restaurant that not only delights guests but also provides meaningful jobs and supports the continued growth of downtown Denison. The community’s strong support, from daily visits to private events and catering, has inspired the team to dream bigger and plan for the future.
For Emily, food and hospitality are rooted in connection. She hopes her restaurant will be part of life’s most meaningful moments such as graduations, weddings, birthdays, and family gatherings. With plans underway for a larger space, she remains focused on growing in a way that deepens her impact, creates new opportunities, and brings more people together.
With the support of the Day family, her team, and the Denison community, the future of Emily’s Kitchen is full of promise.
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