WRITEON FOR AUG 21
sister alies.
COMMUNITY BUILDING PART 1
Oh gosh, the cable news and the things happening around us can be so frustrating and tragic soooooo...I've been looking around and talking to some very interesting folks about how their business contributes to community building. This week features our friends at FORKS, KNIVES & SPOONS in Weir, located near the new Dollar General just at the left turn into Weir.
Owned by Mr. Milton Kennedy and operated by manager Ms. Rudie Medders, the F.K.& S. is on a new management plan. Though I will mention their hours and some of their very best plates, what I was really interested in was their attitudes about how they contribute, or can continue to contribute, to the growth rather than decline of Weir and surrounds.
Our tiny towns have a hollow feel sometimes and often we have to look for the life that is within. As I mentioned recently the Weir Library is back open two days a week. If you watch enough HALLMARK movies you come up against the theme of a small town on it's last...and then the florist, or the library, or the candy shop, or the winery becomes a hub, a place of gathering and things take another turn.
F. K. & S. might just be that sort of place. Already in the three weeks under changes there have been more people...people coming back...new people. Why one might ask and the responses focus around: good food & cooks, good prices, and especially friendly staff, and a nice atmosphere. Owner, Mr. Kennedy, said: “There's nowhere to go in Weir...folks have to drive at least 7miles to Ackerman to eat out. I want a place where folks can gather. We have a great mix of people that come in. I also have school kids working after school and my 2nd Chance jobs speak for themselves. I also make sure I hire handicapped folks to give them the same chance as anyone else. There are 18 jobs here and I fill them all!”
I was surprised to also find out how Mr. Kennedy has expanded some of the services in Weir. Besides the rubber-wheeled train for kids (or whoever fits!), across the road in the rental hall he books bday parties (and all other kinds), there is a working laundromat (8-8pm/7days) and beauty shop. The barber shop is coming!
The hours are great, especially for folks getting off work during the week (closed Mondays) or after Church on Sundays. Ms. Medders, Mgr, points out: “it keeps folks from driving and when they get off work they can come here since we don't close until 9PM. People like our food because it is “homemade”. For instance, on Wednesdays we serve chicken and dumplings and on Thursdays chittlins' (fried or boiled). Friday and Saturday nites (6-9pm) are our seafood plate. Our Sunday SOUL FOOD Brunch (11-5pm) features weekly changes but the basics are dressing, greens, beans, meat, and dessert...”
BREAKFAST 6am; LUNCH 11-2:30PM; DINNER 3-9PM. Y'ALL COME ON DOWN...and be a part of Weir-growth, good food, and a great atmosphere.
NEXT WEEK: the BLACK HAWK TRUCK STOP
BLESSINGS.
