In an effort to spread the word about some of the amazing businesses located in downtown Wadesboro, barista Emily Granholm is doing Q&A’s with local entrepreneurs. She launches her series with a biggie; a chat with Elizabeth Schafer, restaurant manager at Oliver’s, 121 E. Wade Street.
Q: What made you start a restaurant? When did you open?
A: We opened Oliver’s Restaurant in December 2013. The location had formerly been open under different names, with different management, but just wasn’t able to sustain itself. When word got out that Jeff had a culinary degree and restaurant experience, people were constantly approaching us and suggesting that we open a restaurant.
Q: What kind of food do you serve? Do you ever cook or is it just your husband?
A: We describe it as American with a Southern flair. No, I never cook at the restaurant. I am the food tester, though. If I don’t like it or think it could be done better, I will give my feedback and most of the time it will not go on the menu.
Q: What’s your favorite part of owning a restaurant? What’s your least favorite?
A: Most favorite: When someone stops us on the street to tell us what a difference we are making, to thank us for moving to Anson County and opening Oliver’s. It’s really overwhelming how appreciative and supportive the local community has been.
Least favorite: A tough one, but I’m going to say it: When someone accepts a job, only to quit after a short time. We have invested our personal time, energy and money to train someone.
Q: Tell me a funny story about your experience there.
A: There is a life-size cardboard cut-out of Snoop Dog upstairs. Just last week, the bartender was asked to run upstairs to get something. Snoop was wearing a green mask and strategically placed just around a corner to catch her off guard. The unsuspecting bartender, in a rush, screamed when she saw Snoop. Meanwhile, her coworkers, who were all gathered at the bottom of the stairs listening, were laughing when they heard her scream!
Q: You’re from New Jersey originally. What made you choose to move to Wadesboro?
A: We were living in Charlotte and found a beautiful historic house on 3.4 acres. I bought it for a song!
Q: What has your experience been here so far?
A: We moved here for a simpler, quieter and easier way of life. We opened the restaurant and now it’s hectic, louder and so much hard work!
Q: What is your favorite dish to serve?
A: Fish tacos. People who have been all over the world say they are the best they’ve ever eaten.
Q: What are your employees like?
A: No comment!! <laughs> We have a very diverse group. Right now we have a very strong front of house, but that could change in a minute.
Q: If you had a message to relay to your customers, what would you say?
A: Jeff Oliver is one of the nicest, most honest, sincere and hardest working humans I have ever met. We try our best to have quality products at fair prices, while creating jobs in the community, and making a great life for ourselves. Sometimes we may fall short, but we ask that you understand: We cannot be all things to all people.
Mini editorial: If you haven’t eaten at Oliver’s yet, we encourage you to do so immediately. It will rock your world.