This week brings with it thoughts of gratitude and time with family as well as the celebration of small businesses across our country. Our own community proudly takes part in Small Business Saturday as part of our Downtown Party Night this Saturday, Nov. 30th. Each year Crawfordsville Main Street likes to give a downtown business owner a chance to light the community Christmas tree to launch the holiday season. This year, Paul Barajas, owner of China Inn, will light the Christmas tree at the courthouse on East Main St. at 6pm.
Paul Barajas and China Inn have been integral to our downtown community for nearly 20 years. Paul's journey is filled with adventure, growth, challenges, and success. At just 18 years old, growing up in Leon, Mexico, he decided to travel to the United States to start a new life. His parents embraced his decision, honoring him with a gesture steeped in their culture, where a child kneels to receive a spoken blessing from their parents. This blessing has carried Paul through many seasons in his life.
Paul set out from Leon, Mexico and made his way to Naperville, IL, where he met up with a friend. Eager to start earning money, Paul sought to find a job washing dishes. However, the restaurant that hired Paul had another plan for him and offered him a position as a busboy. Unsure about this new role, Paul realized it might not be the best idea since he only spoke three words in English: “Yes,” “Please,” and, due to his strong accent, “Goosebye” (meaning goodbye). He also struggled to comprehend the English being spoken around him, but he stayed and did his best. Paul then moved to Lafayette, In.
While in Lafayette, Paul met Mei Stout. She was a waitress at the Great Wall restaurant, and he worked with her as a busboy. In 1990, Mei was given the opportunity to open a restaurant called the China Inn in Crawfordsville, IN. Mei reached out to Paul and wanted to hire him to work in her restaurant. Paul took the job as a busboy and moved to Crawfordsville from Lafayette. Paul eventually moved back to Lafayette and, over time, Paul had many opportunities to learn about the restaurant business. He was managing a restaurant at 29 years old and then managed a Japanese restaurant from 1997 to 2002. It was then that Paul took the next step and opened his own Mexican restaurant, Paulino’s, in 2002. This venture became another growing experience in business ownership.
In 2005, Mei Stout approached Paul with an offer to sell China Inn to him. Paul said to Mei, “Do I look Chinese to you?” wondering how it made sense for him to own a Chinese restaurant. Mei answered, “If you are not Chinese, why do you eat Chinese?” This silly reply to Paul’s question was, of course, showing him that being Chinese wasn’t what mattered. Paul bought the China Inn and was trained by the original chefs. Paul feels as though it was an inheritance of their culture and their skills and he strives to continue those traditions.
Paul felt that from the beginning, he would want to say to everyone, “Welcome to my home.” He has created an environment of kindness and hospitality. On the back wall of the restaurant is a sign reading “Work hard and be kind to people” This is Paul’s motto for himself, his employees and his entire business.
Paul has built his business on a simple 4 letter acronym. C.H.E.F.
C-Clean
H-Hospitality
E-Efficiency
F-Friendship
He encourages his team to utilize these principles as a roadmap for their training and to thrive in their roles. The restaurant industry can be quite challenging, dependent on a well-trained staff and consistent product. Paul expressed that one of the difficulties of restaurant ownership is maintaining quality control. He oversees those cherished recipes to ensure that every customer receives consistent quality food.
We all know that owning a small business does not come easy and there is always a cost to pursuing excellence and success. Paul says, “The restaurant business is not for everyone. Manage your business so that you can live your life. Don’t let your life be managed by your business.” Paul has given up time with family and friends to do what is necessary to open the doors each day. He has learned that you cannot get that time back and that making time now is a priority. Paul said, “Be aware of time.” He encourages other business owners to make time for family and friends.
Small businesses are built on relationships with their customers and their communities. Paul shared that the most rewarding part of owning China Inn has been the community relationships he has built. Many customers have become lifelong friends. For nearly 20 years, Paul has invested his time and energy into our downtown. Hosting events like street parties, comedy nights, and live music concerts. China Inn has participated in Crawfordsville Main Street’s annual Lunch on the Plaza events as well.
Paul’s future at the China Inn is bright and his plans are to continue to educate himself, invest in real estate in the future, to spend more time with family and pursue traveling.
Downtown Crawfordsville is rich with small businesses that build up the community and bring continued growth to our city. We are thankful for Paul’s endearing personality and his amazing food!
China Inn will be open during Downtown Party Night on Saturday, November 30th.
China Inn is located at 121 S Green St. Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-2pm and 4:30pm to 8:30pm.
Phone: 765-362-1252
You can see their menu at www.ci-cville.com or check out their Facebook page.