The History (As we know it)
OF
GRANDMA’S BEANS AND CORNBREAD
EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS
ONCE UPON
A TIME, LONG, LONG AGO (AROUND 1987)
IN THE KINGDOM OF EUREKA SPRINGS, DAVID AND DEANNA DRENNON
DECIDED THAT THERE NEEDED TO BE A PLACE FOR WEARY TRAVELERS TO COME
AND FEAST UPON SOME GOOD OLD FASHION SOUTHERN HOME COOKIN!
ALAS---GRANDMA’S BEANS AND CORNBREAD WAS CREATED.
A
HOMEY LITTLE PLACE, WITH A COUPLE OF TABLES, A SMALL KITCHEN AND
PLENTY OF HOME MADE BROWN BEANS, CORNBREAD AND A BIG SLICE OF
ONION.THE OLD “COUNTY CHARM” CAST IRON STOVE THAT WAS USED TO COOK
EVERYTHING AT THAT TIME IS STILL IN THE KITCHEN AND IS STILL BEING
USED EVERY DAY TO COOK THE BROWN (Pinto) BEANS AND GREAT WHITE
NORTHERN BEANS. ALL BAKING HAS PROGRESSED TO A CONVECTION OVEN.
AS BUSINESS GREW SO DID THE
RESTAURANT. AN INFORMAL
“OUTSIDE” DINING AREA WAS ENCLOSED TO CREATE AN INFORMAL “INSIDE”
DINNING AREA THAT COULD SEAT AROUND 50 PEOPLE.
THE WARM, COMFORTABLE ATMOSPHERE DID NOT CHANGE. THE MENU
GREW A LITTLE, ADDING WONDERFUL FRESH BAKED COBBLER.
LIFE WAS GOOD!!!
AROUND
1993 DAVE AND DEE, WHO ALSO PERFORMED AT THE PINE MOUNTAIN JAMBOREE
ALONG WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, DECIDED TO SELL
THE RESTAURANT AND MOVE TO BRANSON. DEE PRESLEY DRENNON IS A MEMBER
OF THE PRESLEY FAMILY WHO IS VERY WELL KNOWN AND PERFORM YEAR ROUND
IN BRANSON. DAVE AND DEE STILL OWN PINE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE CENTER AND
REMAIN VERY INVOLVED WITH THE EUREKA COMMUNITY.
THEY STILL LOVE BEANS AND CORNBREAD AND COME IN TO GRANDMA’S
FROM TIME TO TIME FOR A GOOD HOMEMADE MEAL OF BROWN BEANS AND FRESH
BAKED CORNBREAD.
BILL
AND GERRY SUMMERS BOUGHT “GRANDMA’S” FROM THE DRENNONS IN 1993. THE
MENU WAS EXPANDED AND THEY BECAME VERY WELL KNOWN FOR THEIR HOMEMADE
CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS, GREAT COBBLERS AND OF COURSE, BEANS AND
CORNBREAD. THIS WAS ALSO THE TIME IN EUREKA WHEN THERE WERE MANY
TOUR BUSES COMING INTO THE AREA ALMOST DAILY AND IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL
TO HAVE VISITORS STANDING IN A LONG LINE EXTENDING OUT THE DOOR
WAITING TO ENJOY THE GREAT HOME COOKING AT GRANDMA’S.
I’M TOLD THAT THERE WERE ACTUALLY TWO PARKING ATTENDANTS THAT
WORKED IN THE PARKING LOT ON THE WEEKENDS TO ASSIST WITH THE
VISITORS ATTENDING THE JAMBOREE AND ENJOYING LUNCH OR DINNER AT
GRANDMA’S. BUSINESS WAS
VERY GOOD!
IN
THE EARLY 2000’S TED AND BEVERLY CORDES AND THEIR DAUGHTER JANA
PURCHASED GRANDMA’S.
THEY SOLD IN 2004.
ANGELA
AND KELLY MILLER PURCHASED THE BUSINESS IN 2004 BUT DIDN’T REALLY
STAY PERSONALLY INVOLVED AND SOLD IN 2006 TO CHRISTY AND BOBBY
THURMAN.
THE
THURMANS WORKED HARD AT REBUILDING THE BUSINESS AND BRINGING QUALITY
FOOD AND PERSONAL SERVICE BACK TO GRANDMA’S.
THE GREAT STAFF INCLUDING ONE GRANDMA WHO HAS BEEN WITH BEANS
SINCE 1992 AND TWO OTHER GRANDMA’S WHO HAVE BEEN LOYAL EMPLOYEES FOR
OVER SIX YEARS HAVE REALLY HELPED TURN THINGS AROUND AND BRING OUR
LOCALS BACK. A WALL OF
PICTURES OF GRANDMA’S FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WAS CREATED ADJACENT
TO THE FRONT COUNTER AND REMAINS THERE TODAY. (ALTHOUGH WE WILL GO
DIGITAL WITH THAT.)
IN
JUNE OF 2009 CHRISTY DECIDED SHE REALLY WANTED TO SPEND MORE TIME AT
HOME WITH HER 2 YOUNG DAUGHTERS SO WE MADE THE THURMAN’S AN OFFER
AND THEY ACCEPTED. SUDDENLY WE WERE RESTAURANT OWNERS. WHAT HAPPEN
TO RETIREMENT?
ON
JUNE 29TH, 2009 WE BECAME THE PROUD OWNERS OF GRANDMA’S
BEANS AND CORNBREAD (INCLUDING ALL THE SECRET RECIPES). OUR DAUGHTER
SHONNIE MANAGES THE RESTAURANT AND SHE AND RICHARD ARE THE MAIN
COOKS. RICHARD’S ALWAYS TRYING SOME NEW SOUP OR GUMBO CREATION AND
IT’S ALWAYS DELICIOUS. SHONNIE’S THE BEST BEAN MAKER AND HER SALADS
ARE EXCELLENT. I USUALLY STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN. IT’S BETTER FOR
THE CUSTOMERS AND THAT’S REALLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING… KEEPING
THE CUSTOMERS HAPPY!
ALWAYS
REMEMBER…
EVERYTHING TASTES BETTER AT GRANDMA’S !
