The Community’s Restaurant: Shelton Keeps Tradition Going at Boonville
Freedom Fund helps families who are struggling
BOONVILLE-Sandra Shelton has a simple saying about Boonville Restaurant.
“It’s the community’s restaurant,” Shelton said. “I just run it.”
Now yes, Shelton owns the business, having bought the restaurant in 2019, but she feels residents of Boonville and the surrounding area are the ones in charge. They’re the ones who keep the restaurant going, who keep showing up, even in the middle of a pandemic. And they’re also the ones who bring a smile to her face by sharing the memories they’ve made at Boonville Restaurant over more than 15 years.
“I used to work here 10 years ago for the previous owner and I loved it,” Shelton said. “And a lot of that is because of the people. I love the people here. When I had the chance to buy, I took it and it was like coming home.”
Last month, Sandra put out a note on the company’s Facebook page, which you can find here, asking people to share their memories of the restaurant. Notes poured in from all over. One woman told about how her parents started bringing her as an eight-year-old kid. Now she’s the one bringing her own kids to eat after church on Sunday. A grandfather talked about bringing his grandson in for “silver dollar” pancakes on Saturday mornings, making it a tradition they both enjoy.
Launching a Freedom Fund
Now, Shelton is helping to create another tradition at the restaurant, partnering with donors to launch a “Freedom Fund.”
“We had a customer come in and wanted to help people out,” Shelton said. “He donated some money to pay for anyone who needed a meal. Then some of our other customers heard about it and wanted to donate. People kept coming up to donate, so we made it into a fund.”
While the donors have asked to remain anonymous, their work is a big help to local families. Called the Freedom Fund, it’s a simple setup. If someone needs a meal, they can come by and get one, no questions asked. The restaurant and donors have also let the local schools know, so that any of their families can come and get help.
“A lot of it happens by word of mouth,” Shelton said. “The families are sent to us.”
Right now, with many companies either furloughing or cutting employees, times can be tough. But at the same time, it can be embarrassing to admit you need help. Shelton said if anyone reads this story and needs help, all they have to do is come in and say they read the Freedom Fund story in NWNC.
“Just tell them to come in, say I read this in the magazine and we’ll fix them right up, no questions asked,” Shelton said. “That’s part of being a community. If someone can’t afford a meal, we’ll give them one.”
With a limited amount of money in the fund, Shelton asks people to only use this for those who truly need it.
Operating During Quarantine
While North Carolina is starting to reopen the economy, restaurants have to stay closed to sit-in customers. Takeout or curbside orders are allowed, however and Boonville offers both.
“People can just call or come by to place an order,” Shelton said. “We have a hot bar going or they can order off the grill. And if they want to stay in their car, we’ll bring their order out.”
The restaurant, located at 109 W. Main Street in Boonville, is open seven days a week. Monday through Saturday, their hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Sunday, the restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Also, Shelton said if you can’t make it out to the restaurant, they can come to you.
“If they live within the city limits [of Boonville], we’ll deliver,” Shelton said.
Brian Carlton is the editor of NWNC Magazine. He can be reached at brian.carlton38@gmail.com.
