In late 1963, the nation was undergoing change. Americans mourned the loss of President John F. Kennedy, the Beatles were leading the charge with the British Invasion and seemingly overnight in Portage County, Kentwood Restaurant became the place to be.

Vivian Mazzochi opened Kentwood Restaurant in early December 1963 with her husband, James, after receiving a small business loan from her father-in-law. Mr. Mazzochi’s only stipulation was that the restaurant not be built too small — a business decision that would prove to be quite astute.

While rearing four children, Vivian ran Kentwood and James ran his retail store, Crystal Wholesale, on Sycamore Street in Ravenna.

“Vivian had a lot of common sense and savvy for the business,” said General Manager Mike Callahan about Mazzochi, who is now 91 years old and still involved with the business. “She hasn’t retired, she’s just working from home.”

Despite a bumpy ride on nearby gravel roads, carloads of customers flocked to Kentwood — one of the only restaurants in the vicinity of S.R. 59 in Franklin Township and a fledgling hot-spot destination in the 1960s.

The Mazzochis set their sights on serving homestyle food at reasonable prices, with an unwavering emphasis placed on customer satisfaction.

That ingredient in the Mazzochi’s recipe proved to be crucial in the restaurant’s prosperity.

Throughout the years, neighboring restaurants such as Ground Round, Brown Derby, Denny’s, Damon’s and Chicken Manor have all come and gone. More than 45 years later, however, many of those same customers who made Kentwood successful still dine regularly at the homestyle establishment.

Broasted chicken is still the hands-down menu favorite, but Callahan said the restaurant occasionally changes menu items and frequently carries specialty items. Kentwood also caters banquets, offers party boxes of food and offers buffets on most major holidays.

Callahan said the real secret to Kentwood’s success is its loyal customer base.

“We’ve had people coming here since we opened up,” he said. “We’re really an icon in the area. We’re like a big oak tree — we’ve got a lot of roots.”

Kentwood currently employees about 35 people, about 20 of whom have worked there more than five years. Some have worked there more than 40 years, and Callahan estimates thousands have worked there over the years.

Vivian and James Mazzochi’s daughter, Tracy Mazzochi, is one of the managing partners and her three brothers have at one time or another had a part in the business operations, Callahan said.

Jill Louk has waited tables at Kentwood for 24 years, and has many fond memories her time at the restaurant.

“There have been a lot of regulars coming here, day after day, for years,” she said.

There have been only a few physical changes to the building in 45 years. There is still the original, spacious dining room; the low-lit comfortable lounge; and a banquet room in the back.

The restaurant can seat 230 people.

But these days, in the throes of a struggling economy, Callahan said it is harder to take a family out for dinner than it has been in the past.

“As tough as things are, we still have a group of wonderful, loyal customers,” he said. “You develop a rapport of friendship with them. It’s a lot like ‘Cheers.’ Aren’t you glad everyone knows your name?”