Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melissa Eudy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Melissa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

My parents taught me the value of hard work. When I was 13, I got my first job. My dad was stationed stateside in Desert Storm, and my mom had me and a six-month-old sibling to care for. She got me a job bussing tables at a local restaurant owned by her friend. Within a month, he moved me up to waiting tables, and I worked there until I finished high school. If I wanted something above my basic needs, I bought it.
Yet, I learned so much more than about making my own money. I learned about taking care of people and how much a smile is worth. I learned how good it feels to help others. I learned that after a hard day of work, it was so nice to take a hot shower and feel good about what I had done.
Of course my parents taught me far more than how to work hard, but that lesson is what has made me a successful restaurant owner and the one that sticks out most as I think about this abrupt career change. My mom passed away in July, but I feel her here every day. She guides me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

The Rosebriar Restaurant has been a staple in Albemarle for over 35 years. We decided to buy it from Gail and Alan Burris in January of 2023. Mrs. Gail made the restaurant famous for its pies, which she taught me to make the month before we officially purchased “The Briar”. While I had worked in food service, my background was in education–a field in which I had a 19-year span.

Owning a small sandwich shop and teaching a room full of high school Seniors isn’t that much different, to be honest; they are both about making connections. We treat our customers like family the best we can. They are a part of our lives, and we are honored to be a part of theirs. When one suffers, we suffer. When one celebrates, we hope to be right by their sides for that, too!

Since purchasing The Rosebriar, we have increased our catering services and events. We typically host an event a week at the newly remodeled location. My husband loves to cook and began offering take home meals weekly for busy families. They pick up a full pan of a one-dish meal on Wednesday evenings hot and ready for their family to enjoy. He also offers holiday side dishes such as stuffing and sweet potato casserole–and, of course, I make pies!

This past Christmas, we partnered with Atrium Stanly to provide each of their workers a pie for the holiday! In total, they purchased 644 pies from us to gift to their employees. We usually make about 35-50 pies per week, so this was quite a week for us!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Facebook helped build our business, for sure. Our audience is typically a little older, so we use that platform to our benefit. We share our weekly specials, coming events, and general day-to-day knowledge about our offerings. I try to post daily, but some days get away from me.
When we remodeled, we challenged the community to buy 1000 take home meals or pies to help us pay for our new carpet. I did Facebook Lives to update them on where we were on our goal. It was so endearing to be out and about and hear, “I love what you’re doing” or “I am so proud of you”.
Social media can catch a really bad reputation. I have always tried to use it for what it is intended–spreading the word. I do not get caught up in reading the negativity about other businesses. I try to highlight our fellow business owners and what we are doing. When I support our other local businesses, I share what I like about them hoping to send my friends their way. It’s all about collaboration–we are all in this together!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The old adage that “the customer is always right” is one that my mother helped me reframe. She taught me that the customer is always the customer–and from them your business comes. I try to keep that in mind daily; especially when a customer is unhappy. They are the reason I am able to show up every day. It is not as much about who is right or wrong; it is about whether or not I am making the proper choices to keep them coming back.

Buying a business that has been around so long has been difficult because there are folks who have been coming here for YEARS! Their expectations were in place when we bought the business. That is difficult to change, especially since we kept the same menu. I have to remind myself, our staff, and sometimes the customers that we have to make this our own while maintaining the integrity that has kept it here for so long.

I once was asked by a customer why I was trying to make so many changes to the inside of the building. I asked her if she had ever bought a house. Upon her positive reply, I asked her if she made any cosmetic changes when she bought it. She said, “Of course!” I said, “That’s all I’m doing. Making it mine. I am here a lot. It should be a reflection of who I am.”

I think back to that story often. This place is like a second home to me! I often tell our children it is our vacation home–hope they enjoy it! Our customers are our extended family who come over for lunch. We want them to keep on coming back. We want them to enjoy The Briar as much as we do!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rosebriaralbemarle.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090988106702