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Restaurant finds unique way to thank customers: 'We’re all in this together'

Cul’s Courthouse Grille was a general store in the 1800s
Posted at 11:36 PM, Apr 16, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-17 13:09:44-04

CHARLES CITY COUNTY, Va. -- As thousands of small businesses across Virginia struggle to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic, one family-owned restaurant in Charles City has come up with a unique way to thank folks supporting their business.

In the heart of Charles City County, sits Cul’s Courthouse Grille.

"My mom had the brilliant idea to turn this into a little restaurant to serve the community. And we've been doing that for 11 years and it’s been a ride of a lifetime," owner Cullen Jenkins said. “We had no idea that this thing was going to turn into what it has."

Jenkins said the location was originally built as a general store back in the early 1800s. Now he and his family proudly serve the community.

“We hang our hats on customer service," Jenkins said.

But Governor Northam's stay-at-home order forced the father of four and his team to change the way they serve customers.

For now, it is take out or delivery only.

“I called my wife immediately and she expressed concern along with my children," Jenkins said.

Jenkins said when he got home after making that call, he discovered his children had created something to bring light back into the business.

"My wife said, 'They came up with the idea to make little cards to say thank you. And they want to put one in every to go bag for every customer that comes to support us during this time,'" Jenkins said.

He said they started off with just a handful and now they have made more than 100 cards.

“A friend of mine called me that they’ve got three on their refrigerator," Jenkins added. “They’re probably doing about 50 a day now.”

“It’s just been incredible," Jenkins said. "The support of the community has always been there for us and we’ve been there for them. The cards have just made things pretty clear of how we’re all in this together."