The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeffer, The Quill
Cindy Lou Adkisson of Roseville is great at her job of running a restaurant and serving people great home-made food. But Saturday in Smithshire, her final day as employer, Cindy and her well trained staff served over 110 customers who came from near and far to bring their best wishes and to take advantage of her Appreciation meal-deal.
After visiting and eating with staff and our interview, she seemed anxious to stand out front of her cafe and hand over the keys to new owner Doug Smith, who was just as eager to take charge of his new business.
Cindy has been in the restaurant business for 48 years. "I started serving at the age of 14 at Dogs an Suds in Monmouth, and then I went to Filling Station III and worked for Hubie Hedrick," she said.
"My mother Lu Wilde owned The Roseville Cafe, and I went there to work for her. When she retired in 1997, I and my sister Brenda owned and operated a restaurant together but in a different location called the B&C Cafe.
The two women sold B&C Cafe in 2008 and Cindy went to Monmouth College and worked at the school's cafeteria.
In 2012, Cindy Lou bought Dew's Diner in Smithshire and named it Cindy Lou's Kitchen, hoping to work fewer hours. She redecorated and after people kept begging her to have her Friday night Fish Night, Cindy Lou gave in and added the one evening a week service which is very popular and after Covid-19, have a drive-through window.
This week she finished the week with a 68-70 hour work-week and is looking forward to switching to the employee hat again.
She'll help Doug get off to a good start, fill in for some help who will be gone or on vacation, but plans to cut her work time in half as he takes the lead.
Her future plans are to retire and enjoy life and do some things around the house with her special friend Donnie, a retired carpenter.
"I have enjoyed the customers and the staff as we are like family," she said...."My Smithshire family!"