McCoole: Since its opening in 1957, the Chat & Chew restaurant has proudly offered chip beef gravy for decades. The Super Burger and chipped beef are house specialties at this eatery located near McCoole on U.S. Route 220. The popular sandwich is described on a sign outside the business that says Seems Like Millions Sold. It’s always crowded in the mornings as regular patrons use the fuel the Chat & Chew’s cuisine provides to get ready for a long day at work.
History Of Chat &Chew Restaurant
According to a 1974 Piedmont Herald article, Don Harmon sold the company to the late Tom Marsh on October 17, 1974, following a few changing owners. After First National Bank rejected his loan request to buy the restaurant in August of that year, Marsh was able to secure the establishment and start a 50-year ownership partnership with his wife, Jacqueline. Although the restaurant has changed over the years, the community’s support and devotion to the local establishment have been the key factors in its survival.
Chat & Chew Restaurant After Tom Marsh’s Death
Since Marsh passed away in November, it has become even more crucial to commemorate the Chat & Chew’s 50 years under the Marsh family’s management. According to Jacqueline Marsh, Tom Marsh was the community’s face and the person whom everyone knew. He put forth a great deal of work to ensure that the restaurant would survive the worst of times.
Owners Of Chat & Chew Restaurant
Jacqueline left her previous career to work with her husband once the Marshes purchased the restaurant, and she hasn’t looked back. Marsh claimed that her outstanding staff is the primary cause of the restaurant’s continuous success over the past 50 years. The pricing structure and the clientele have undergone the most significant shifts in Marsh’s experience. However, the restaurant’s success continues because of its reliability.
Popularity Of Chat & Chew Restaurant
Quinn says the Chat & Chew has been really lucky to have such a devoted clientele and staff over the years. Many eateries close their doors because they are unable to weather difficult economic circumstances, citing the difficulties the COVID-19 outbreak caused for companies across the nation. The Chat & Chew’s workforce drastically decreased during the pandemic, going from 38 to 7.
The cuisine has stayed strangely consistent throughout time. Quinn stated that despite its size and unique style, it might be the reason why patrons return. The employee with the longest tenure, Karen Wilt, said she felt honored to work at the restaurant. Since starting to work at the restaurant, Wilt claimed to have always felt at home. She attributed the pleasant work atmosphere to both her supervisors and coworkers.