3 months ago
Wouldn't you like to take the price and the work out of cooking Thanksgiving dinner?
Some Central Georgians did just that by eating out this year. One restaurant owner cooked up a Thanksgiving buffet, opened his doors to the community, and served guests for free.
"About five years ago I came down with a chronic illness that put me in the hospital for 262 days," says Tommy Dollar, owner of Country Cupboard. "I really thought that my business was just going to die."
But the restaurant kept going strong, says Dollar, thanks to his loyal staff and the community's support.
"They called me on the phone to check on me and said--Don't worry about anything. The restaurant's fine. They gave me encouragement the whole time," says Dollar.
Dollar says that encouragement inspired him to give back to the community. So this Thanksgiving, he served up free food, friendly service, and a place to make yourself at home.
"They've always accepted everybody who comes through the day like they're family," says one guest, who came with her family. "I guess it's what keeps bringing me back."
As they sat down to enjoy their meals, some guests said they were thankful to take the cost out of Thanksgiving dinner; others said they were glad to give up the work.
"What makes it good? I didn't have to prepare it. I didn't have to prepare it at all," says one Warner Robins woman, who brought her two children to eat.
Out-of-towners even made themselves at home, after taking a break from the road to get a taste of southern Thanksgiving.
"This looked like a nice place to stop so we did," says one woman from Wisconsin. "And we were quite surprised. It's a wonderful thing!"
As for Dollar giving up his turkey day to spend a day at work?
"Who are you going to be with on the holidays?" says Dollar. "Your family. So, I feel like that's who we're with."
He says it's just his way of giving back to the community that gave so much to him.
Dollar says he's made the free holiday meal an annual event for 5 years now. He says guests are allowed to make donations, but are not required to do so.
He will have another free buffet this Christmas. The restaurant is located at 222 Highway 49 North next to the Dairy Queen in Byron.
