By Lorraine Longhi | Arizona Republic
Don Carson sits in the dining room of Don & Charlie’s, surrounded by walls peppered with sports memorabilia he has collected over the years.
Employees roll in ahead of their shifts, getting ready to open the restaurant for another new day. Carson greets each of them, dishwashers and managers alike, by name.
Carson has owned the iconic Chicago-style steakhouse since 1981. Across from him sits Tyler Kent, the developer who plans to build a hotel around the 30-year old restaurant.