Peaberry’s Pendleton: Prioritizing Words of Encouragement
Chris Pendleton, co-owner of Peaberry’s in Canfield, is coming back strong, along with his wife, Amy. You can read more about the restaurant at its website.
What are some ways your restaurant is rebounding from the effects of COVID-19?
From an operational standpoint, we are using masks and barriers, and limiting seating in our dining room. These measures are accompanied by a constant attention to the health and safety of our team. We have eliminated our condiment stand and are doing more to serve customers. For example, we are putting cream in customer’s coffee instead of allowing a community of hands to pick up sugar packets and creamer containers.
On a more emotional level, we have had some needed conversations with our team to let them know how much they are valued, not only as employees, but also as people. We love our team! Now more than ever, we feel like conversations to let them know they are worthy of respect and dignity are important to have. We have also made sure to maintain our connection with Positive Impact food ministry during this time. We believe our purpose in operating a food and beverage business is unfulfilled if we don’t have a love for people that need food assistance.
What’s been the reaction from customers so far?
I’m not going to lie. Some of our customers are very stressed by what’s going on in the world. But, we are taking the time to listen and let them sound off. I’d estimate that 95% are happy people that just want to get through this tough time, and they are rooting for the little guy like Peaberry’s. Most customers have told us how much they appreciate that we are fighting to stay open and looking for ways to innovate. Prior to the pandemic, we also had plans to open Valley Burgers in May. In spite of all that has transpired, we have had very humbling and overwhelming support for following through with these plans.
What impact has the outbreak had on you personally?
We have had some tough days. I’ve had some days that challenged my faith. But, like the old saying goes, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” I feel a renewed sense of strength in my faith in God, my faith in this valley and my faith that our marriage can withstand anything.
What advice are you sharing with the people you love?
Our kids can almost recite the clichés I’ve hammered into their heads their entire lives. But, it’s truth and it’s what I’m sharing now. Tough times don’t last, tough people do. It’s not the size of the lion in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the lion. Win or lose today, we will get up tomorrow morning, and we will fight the good fight. I say this because I know the Mahoning Valley has seen some cold, dark nights. But the people here always rise the next morning and fight the good fight. They never back down from a bigger lion in the fight, because they know how much fight they have in their heart to win. They are nothing if not tough.
Someone recently said to me, “We are not all in this together. Some of us are in big ships on this stormy sea, and some of us are in little canoes.” That may be true, but I think the part people need to keep in mind is to not worry if your boat isn’t the biggest on the water. Just be prepared to help the person that is in the canoe.