Mae Lee's celebrates 20th anniversary; Golden Corral wins award

Mae Lee Gilroy says she starts every day with a prayer.

Gilroy and her husband, Phil, the owners of Mae Lee's Deli and Catering, believe divine guidance has helped them run a successful business for 20 years. The couple reached that milestone with the Sebring eatery, located at 445 N. Ridgewood Drive, last month.

Phil Gilroy also cites more tangible reasons that include a personal rapport with the customers, Mae Lee's culinary talent, quality employees and fair prices.

He said they know 75 to 80 percent of their customers which they refer to as the "deli family." They know the likes and dislikes of many of the regulars who frequent the restaurant and "what everybody eats."

"It's a place to meet," Mae Lee said. "You are either a happening person or this is a happening place."

Mae Lee's parents were in the restaurant business, owning three restaurants in New Jersey. She attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York.

"She can make anything taste good," Phil said.

Mae Lee certainly loves to cook. After working all day in the kitchen at the restaurant, she will go home and cook in the evening. Salmon, chicken marsala, prime rib and Beef Wellington are among her favorites.

In addition to Mae Lee, there are four full-time employees.

"Our help has been with us a long time," said Phil, a retired ironworker from New Jersey who helps and "runs the kids" around.

The restaurant business is tough and it seems to be getting more difficult with the economy continuing to struggle and unemployment remaining high. In Highlands County, just in the past couple of months, four restaurants have either closed or gone out of business. One of the eateries closed as a result of a fire.

Phil said "it scares me" to learn of restaurant closing. That is why they are thankful for their customers.

"We are thankful for our customer base," he said.

Mae Lee's is open from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday. The menu includes deli sandwiches, subs, sandwiches, salad sandwiches and homemadesoups, which are made fresh daily.

Golden Corral receives award

Golden Corral has been named the Restaurant of the Year for District 12. It is the first time the Lake Placid eatery has received the award.

There are 30 stores in the district, according to Ray Tharp, the restaurant's general manager. It covers all the Florida franchises, with the exception of those in the Orlando area, as well as those in Georgia and Tennessee.

The Lake Placid store is the oldest and smallest restaurant in District 12, Tharp said. It has been in business for 23 years.

Owner Mark Tharp received the award during a franchise meeting in Charleston, S.C. a couple of weeks ago. The plaque was presented to the employees this past week by Greg Buford, franchise service consultant.

It was based on customer feedback reports, corporate inspections and sales, according to Ray Tharp.

"The award is for all of us," Tharp said. "The employees were real happy.

"We appreciate people supporting us," he added. "We are a locally owned and operated business."

Golden Corral is interested in expanding, and Tharp said his family is still looking for a site in Sebring.

Harborside closed

Harborside Restaurant in Avon Park has apparently closed.

According to the Florida Department of Business Professional Regulation, the restaurant on U.S. 27 is in the "out of business" status.

A department spokeswoman said the lights were out and water was turned off when an inspector visited there.