Area restaurants open their doors for the lonely during Christmas

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s the most wonderful time of year, especially if you’re spending your holiday with friends and family.

Unfortunately, the reality is not everyone can celebrate with loved ones this year.

With the majority of restaurants and shops closed over the next few days, it can be hard to find a good holiday meal.

“Every Christmas… every Christmas… I love my customers, and they love me,” said Marsha Heard.

Heard has been working at the Columbus Waffle House since 2005, and during her time here, she’s never had a Christmas off.

“My family will be there when I get home anyways, but we’ll still be here for the people that have no family,” said Heard.

Heard isn’t alone. Her co-worker, Marchetta Ellis, also works every Christmas.

“We do get a lot of compliments on how happy we are when they come in even though it’s a holiday, and we’re just ready here waiting to serve them,” said Ellis.

The ladies said Christmas day is usually pretty busy for them.

“It makes me feel good that I can make somebody smile and brighten up their day. sometimes they just want to come in and just talk you listen at them, or we can just talk to them and they can just listen at us. As long as we can bring up their spirits, that’s all that matters,” said Heard.

Employees at Gondolier Restaurant in Starkville are also concerned with lifting their customers’ spirits.

“The holidays are not the happiest time of year for everyone. There’s many people that have lost loved ones, that have loved ones deployed overseas that aren’t able to see them this time of the year. We think it’s important to have a place that we have open arms, they can come and see us and dine with us, and we can take care of them,” said Shift Leader Jake Mardis.

The Italian food chain will be open until 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, giving people the option to treat themselves for Christmas.

“We are in the customer service industry, and that is our job… customer service. We’re here to serve the customer. That means holidays as well. That means anytime. In fact, it means holidays especially because those can be the hardest times for some people,” said Mardis.

Working through a holiday isn’t always fun, but Ellis and her friends wouldn’t have it any other way.

“No, I wouldn’t give it up actually. I love being here and making people smile, and they appreciate us being here, so that makes it even better,” said Ellis.

“If you don’t have anyone to come eat with, come eat with us,” said Heard.

Gondolier Restaurant will be open until 10 o’clock Christmas Eve night, and Waffle House will be open all day on Christmas.