Reservations for Barn Door’s free Christmas Eve dinner are being accepted
The Barn Door is beginning to take reservations for their free Christmas Eve community dinner.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began the restaurant has been doing relatively well, though it has still faced some issues.
“With the first shutdown, business was super busy,” Cathy Fortier, owner of The Barn Door, said. “Then when we were able to reopen in June, dine-in was OK but our curbside was still pretty busy. With this new “extended pause,” our business is definitely taking a hit. We are managing but I’m also working another job to help ensure I can pay the bills and keep my employees employed. I’ve owned the Barn Door for 19 years and will do whatever it takes to keep it and my employees from being a statistic during this pandemic.”
The Christmas Eve dinner started 9 years ago as a way to thank the community for supporting Fortier’s family after her 10-year- old nephew Caleb passed away due to an acute asthma attack.
“He died at the end of October and by December, we noticed a lot
of people were avoiding us,” Fortier said. “No one likes to talk about death especially when it pertains to a child. Anyone who knows me and the rest of my family, knows this just wasn’t going to work for us. So, we decided as a family we would make people come to us by feeding them. The free dinner was our way of thanking the community, allowing people to take a much needed break during the holidays and allowing us to visit with people.”
Though the meal is free, many community members
will leave donations in gratuities. Since this tradition started, the restaurant has raised $13,000 and every year the owners will choose an organization or individual every year. In the past, they’ve donated to Weidman Elementary, Chippewa Hills High School, local families, and to help build the new flag pole at the School Section Lake Veteran’s Memorial Park.
“This year we are giving all donations to Michael King. Him and his family own Kings Disposal,” Fortier said. “He was seriously injured the day before Thanksgiving and there was no hesitation when I heard the news. He was this year’s recipient. He is always giv
ing to the community and I respect him as a business owner. He deserves this help during this time.”
The meal will include pulled pork, mash potatoes, gravy, stuffing, corn, a dinner roll, butter and cookies. The dinner will be free and open to everyone.
“I usually promote it by saying: if you have family visiting and don’t want to dirty the kitchen, or you just want time to visit with them, please come get the meal and let us give you that time,” Fortier said. “However, with COVID, we just want everyone to feel safe enough to pick up a meal and be able to enjoy a little Christmas cheer, even if it’s not a traditional big-family
gathering.”
Reservations opened on Tuesday, Dec. 8 and already has over 150 reservation made. Reservations will cut off on Monday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.
“We did something similar at Easter because of COVID,” Fortier said. “It started out as 100 meals then went to 300 and I finally had to stop it at 962 meals. That’s my goal for Christmas Eve.”
While pick up is going on, Santa will be present to greet cars from noon to 3 p.m. on that day.
For more information, visit The Barn Door Facebook page or call 989- 644-2550.