What happens when you win $1 Million? That is no longer a hypothetical question for two Las Vegas residents who won a restaurant worth $1 million. Aaron Lee and Mallory Gott joined the Great Las Vegas Coffee Shop Giveaway by Dapper Companies (a real estate development firm in Southern Nevada that owns Yukon Pizza).
The contest was held between 90 teams, with the team of Lee and Gott emerging as the winner of the 3,000-square-foot, vintage-inspired restaurant with an electronic marquee on the wall and a brand-spanking new kitchen. Lee is a chef with many years of experience who was previously working with Esther’s Kitchen, while Gott has been working in event design and marketing. The two partnered and submitted plans for a 24-hour diner that draws on the nostalgia of the historic 40s Huntridge neighborhood.
Only in May 2022 did the couple learn they were among the two winning teams, along with the owners of the Dinette Luncheonette in the southwest area. Winning the contest gave Lee and Gott the restaurant and all its contents for free. The owner reckons they would still have been restaurateurs eventually. This is just a dream leapfrogged forward.
Other Rewards
Apart from the restaurant, the owners also got many goodies from sponsors such as free signage from Yesco, $10,000 in food from Sysco food, $2,500 in other supplies, plus the menu printing and commercial kitchen space for hiring kitchen staff. The Icing on the cake was a $5,000 reward from the banking partner of the show, while other local companies bought gift cards for the diner to provide to customers.
Their new restaurant is Winnie & Ethel’s, named after Gott’s grandmother and great-grandmother. The owners cut the ribbon to Winnie & Ethel’s on November 11, 2023. It draws its menu from classics from yesteryears with dishes such as malted pancakes and malted waffles, French dip, meatloaf sandwich, French onion soup, and Nutter Butter French toast.
Lee hopes to make the restaurant a community joint for breakfast. Diners can get endless cups of coffee with cream and sugar options at 25 cents when ordered with an $8 entrée. In the first few weeks of operation, the restaurant shall be open from 8 am to 2 pm, but in early December, they plan to remain open till 10 pm.
