Popular Weiser restaurant now under new ownership

A long-time Weiser restaurant recently came under new ownership when Weiser native Brenda (Lukehart) Matson and her husband Josh Matson purchased JEBS Corner in February.  
 The Matsons became interested in buying JEBS as soon as they heard it was on the market. The Matsons had often discussed the idea of owning a restaurant, and JEBS became available at just the right time.
 Josh will be retiring from the Air Force after 22 years this August, so both the business opportunity and the timing of the sale could not have been better.
 The Matsons love the history of JEBS. It started out small as a food cart and then the restaurant building was built around it. The Matsons are interested in honoring the unique history that has made JEBS a well-known Weiser icon.
 The Matsons have both worked in the restaurant industry, but JEBS has a special place in Brenda’s heart because she and her sister Valarie both worked at JEBS in high school.
 One of Brenda’s favorite things about owning the business has been being able to give her neices the opportunity to continue the family tradition working there as well. The entire family is now part of the JEBS tradition.
 “My mom and dad have jumped in and have worked a lot into helping us get this restaurant up and running. I have had so much fun getting to work along the side of my sister again. I don’t think Josh and I could have done it all without our family’s love and support,” Brenda said.
 The Matsons are currently driving back and forth from Boise to Weiser, and plan to for at least the first year, but would love to eventually to be back in Weiser or somewhere close again when the time is right.
 As the Matsons plan to honor what has made JEBS a well known Weiser name, customers can expect the same menu they have loved for years, but it might surprise some to know that there are healthy food options.
 JEBS has spinach wraps and salads with grilled or crispy chicken as well as lettuce wraps instead of the hamburger buns. They also plan to offer a few seasonal foods and fun specials throughout the year.
 As for the Matsons themselves, Brenda enjoys the chicken nuggets and cheese sticks, while Josh likes the fish burgers and onion rings and they both love the curly fries.
 Brenda’s mom, Vicki, loves the chocolate malts with a side of shoestring french fries.
 The first surprise the Matsons have faced so far about the business has been opening during the COVID-19 crisis. Along with the other restaurants in the state, and across the country, figuring out how to stay open and safe for both the customers and employees was a challenge they were not originally expecting.
 The closure of the seating area, however, has given the Matson’s a chance to do a few improvements to the inside, so when they are able to open back up, customer’s will notice a bit of a fresh new look for the brickwork, giving the interior a brighter and lighter atmosphere.
 The Matsons shared that the bigger surprise has been the amount of support and business from the community.
 “We love seeing all of the familiar faces around us again,” the Matsons said.