04/21/2026
It’s hard to put into words all of the emotions associated with this post.
After 30+ years running our family business, we have decided to pass the torch.
We know that all of our supporters have been curious and wondering what the future of Food and Friends will be. We have heard as many rumors as all of you, so hopefully this will answer all those questions.
But before we get into talking about the end, I would like to shine a little light on the beginning; the story of Food and Friends and some history of our family that created this long-standing business.
This story started in our small community during a much slower and simpler time. A time that Guy B Montgomery Sr invested into Ronceverte ice and produce, still known today as Ripco. He grew the business and passed it onto his son Guy B Montgomery Jr. Guy and his wife Ginny raised their 2 daughters, Gail and Page, and built themselves a wonderful life. After a life of dedication and hard work, my grandfather retired and sold Ripco. Being the businessman my grandfather was, he invested his money, one of those investments being his daughter Page. She and her partner Bob had slowly started easing into food service.
Starting with Zapps that was located at the mall in Fairlea. Back in the wonderful 80’s when arcades were a thing and were the place to hang out on the weekends. It began with sweets and candy, then slowly evolved into pizzas and subs. By the time they had enough of dealing with 100’s of teenagers and everything that goes along with that, they had built a good delivery and food service business with their menu.
Deciding what the next step would be, Page and Bob decided to step into a downtown business location and run with food service. It was then they decided on the name Food and Friends. They took over a small ice cream shop known as Alice’s, the location of Wolf Creek Gallery today. Mom had no restaurant food service experience when she started down this road, only heart, passion, and drive. In a short time, the menu started to grow, adding a wide variety of dishes from stir-fry to burritos; there were no culinary limitations or guidelines as long as people enjoyed it. Making Food and Friends a great choice for families wanting menu options to make everyone happy.
As the 80s rolled into the 90s, Food and Friends had outgrown the little ice cream shop, and a new location was on the horizon. That’s when my grandfather invested in his daughter and bought the old Ford building up the street. Food and Friends transformed the dealership into a cozy family atmosphere that would take the business to the next level. From the first day the doors opened, business reflected all of the hard work and pride Mom and Bob had put into their business. The response from the community filled my Mom with joy, but I think it was the pride in her parents’ eyes that fulfilled her more than anything.
As the restaurant thrived, becoming a known spot across the state, Mom expanded her talents into catering. Taking over the kitchen at the Elks Country Club and its great banquet facility, she catered many weddings, business events, and dinners for hundreds of people.
As a son, I watched my Mom go through all these milestones over the years. What stands out the most is she never showed her nerves or worries. She charged ahead into any situation with a smile on her face and a positive attitude. If she had to discipline the staff, it was firm but with love and respect. Unlike a lot of restaurant businesses, Food and Friends hired employees that stayed for years, a reflection of Mom and the person she was.
From the beginning the business has supported so many families with jobs and in many cases employee’s children that grew up with Food and Friends in their parent’s life have worked at the restaurant including Mom’s grandson.
Mom and Bob had all of the qualities to build an institution that withstood all the changes our little town has seen in the last 30+ years. Mom was always able to navigate the trials and tribulations the restaurant business could throw at her. Before she finally had to retire, Mom struggled with the symptoms of dementia. Even though this horrible disease robbed Mom of her memories, thoughts and speech, she always remained her happy little self. When mom first started noticing changes, we had many conversations about the business and future of Food and Friends. I wanted her to understand how special it was that her hard work and sacrifices had made such an impact in her family’s life and in her community. Not everybody can touch peoples lives in such a way that it is felt through generations of people.
It’s been 2 years since we lost Mom and her absence is felt everyday.
As everyone knows the restaurant has been for sale for about a year now. Like all of you, we care about Food and Friends and its future. This restaurant has been our lives for so long and even though we are choosing to chase a new dream, we don’t want to see Mom’s dream vanish. We are dedicated to helping the new owner carry on the traditions of Food and Friends. The spark and energy of a new owner is what will keep Food and Friends going for the next generations. That’s why we ask that everyone be patient for a short amount of time until we get everything fired back up. We will stay on and help the new owners so that Mom’s recipes carry on and ensure the future of Food and Friends in our community. It is a mystery now on the time frame it will take to switch over the business to the new owner. We are trying as quick as possible to make that happen.
We have a wonderful staff whose lives have been affected by this and we want nothing more than to get them back to work.
We would like to thank our community for being such great supporters of Food and Friends. You all made us what we are and what fuels us to always do better.
As we close our doors, new doors are opening, new stories are being written, and the excitement of a new future is ahead of us.
This is not the end of our story by far, just time for the next chapter.
Chris Nash
