Lance Clayton’s grandparents’ house was a place of community and tradition. Located at 811 Seven Oaks Road in Bonham, the house was a gathering place for Lance’s family, his wife Ursula said.
“It was always, ‘Let’s go over to 811.’ It was never, ‘Let’s go over to my grandparents’ house,’” Ursula said.
Ursula also had a close relationship with her grandfather, who died in August 2011. When she realized he had died in the eighth month of 2011, she said she knew eight|11 Place was the perfect name for her and Lance’s restaurant.
“To me, it’s awesome because it links both families in the same area that we’re wanting to promote this space as this community place, this place where you could build memories, this place where you could interact with one another and enjoy your time,” Ursula said.
eight|11 Place opened in 2012. Lance and Ursula started the restaurant after moving from Austin and wanting to find an eatery that had the Austin vibe, Ursula said.
“Nothing around here really had it,” she said. “So we just decided, ‘Why not do it ourselves?’”
The Claytons were on a budget when they opened eight|11 Place, so many features of the restaurant are handmade, Ursula said. For instance, the tables are handmade and the light fixtures inside the restaurant are made from Mason jars. Some of the artwork and furniture also comes from Ursula’s mother.
