Terry became the new owner of Don’s Original at Sea Breeze

For a brief period of time, there was another Don’s Original. Don’s son, Bob, together with Terry Klee operated Don’s Original at Charlotte, which they bought together in 1986. Two years later, Bob relinquished his interest in that location solely to Terry. Sometime later, Bob contacted Terry, who was then operating the Charlotte restaurant under the name of FRITZBURGER’S, and asked him if he was interested in purchasing the Sea Breeze Don’s Original from the Barbato family. Bob explained that he and his brother had other interests; Don Jr. operated a Carvel Ice Cream store in Pittsford and Bob was a professor at R.I.T. Terry was very interested and in May, 1991, became the new and sole owner of Don’s Original at Sea Breeze. Owning and operating Don’s Original seemed an almost predestined event in Terry’s life. His love of the business, and respect for Don Barbato’s ideals and philosophies made him the natural successor. He immediately began cleaning and refurbishing the Sea Breeze location to reemphasize the strict allegiance to the quality, cleanliness, and good service that Don’s Original always portrayed. Like Don, he knew that he could not do it alone. He called on long-time employees such as Roger Varela and Patricia Brinkman as well as new employees such as John Cipro and Tina Gift to carry on the tradition. These employees are proud of the restaurant they help operate and it shows. In 1995, under the ownership of Terry Klee, Don’s Original recognized it’s 50th Anniversary of being in business, truly a testimony that quality does predominate here.