By Susan R. Wenner
Herald Publisher/Editor
Michelle Simoneaux and her husband, Jason bought Colonial Room in 2012 after serving at the eatery for 25 years.
To say it’s a family owned and operated business is an understatement as all three of her girls and their spouses have worked there at some point in time. Now her grandchildren are growing up there and granddaughter Olivia is helping out at the country store, opened 4 years ago.
Her daughter, Emili Henry has worked for Colonial Room Restaurant since 2004. Under the previous owner, Bill Painter, she was hired as a server in 2006 at the age of 16.
“I went to work during the day and then to cosmetology school at night,” she said. “Shortly after, I realized my passion was at the restaurant with the regular patrons I had gotten so attached to over the years. I have had a couple other jobs over the years but it never lasted long, I always found myself wanting to be back at the Colonial Room, it felt like home.”
Emeli shared that when her mom, Michelle and stepdad, Jason Simoneaux took over the restaurant in 2012 she came back to work for her.
“This time I was brought in to learn the cooking position because that was what was needed at that time,” cited Emeli. “A few years later our beloved manager at the time, Damon Howell, had gotten very sick, so my mom asked me to move up to the manager position full time. I have been loving this part of the business, however I do miss the daily connection to our customers I got from serving.”
Several other family members also share the workload as the country store was added next door to the restaurant. The quaint little shop not only highlights local vendors but carries mountains of sugary candy by the pound, homemade treats, small toys and fidgets as well as ice cream bars, various bottled sodas, greeting cards and more. Emeli also creates many of the items at the country store as the most popular being the Freeze Dried Candy, made right at the restaurant. Other favorites made at Colonial Room include cinnamon roasted pecans, caramel apples, that are Chocolate dipped with or without being rolled in peanuts, peppermint bark, hot cocoa bombs and homemade fudge. The cookies and brownies are only $1 at the register and the money raised for the cookie and brownie sales goes to support my Emeli’s children and their pageant and gymnastic team.
When the Country Store was added the business changed from sole proprietor to LLC and Simoneaux’s children, Emeli Henry and Noel Todd were brought in as shareholders of the restaurant and country store. Noel Todd now manages the country store.
“My daughter, Olivia Henry as well as my mother in law, Linda Henry, work at the store as a cashier,” said Emeli Henry. “My Great-Aunt Connie Walls is a Server and my Uncle Christopher Stewart and my sister’s mother in law, Niki Taylor, are both chefs here at the restaurant as well. It really is a Family owned and operated business. Those who are employees at the Colonial Room who are not related have also become family.”
The entire family is excited about the menu, the specials and the new Blue Plate Specials. All specials are listed daily on the chalkboard but lunch and breakfast are served all day. Chicken and dumplings have always been the favorite of Sanford residents as well as their signature pumpkin pancakes with cream cheese frosting drizzled on top. Although, you can’t go wrong with another town favorite, Michelle’s chicken salad served on a croissant.
Simoneaux added, “Winning Best Mom and Pop Restaurant has sparked me to go way back in time and offer ‘A Blue Plate Special’ which made its debut on Oct. 27. It will be a separate menu consisting of three different specials and will include tea or coffee, all for $9.99. The menu will change weekly. The idea is to have smaller portion dishes for all ages.”
Emeli further elaborated by saying, “We take pride in making sure our menu prices remain reasonable for our customers yet still providing the quality of food items we have always had. Many of our food vendors have suggested switching items such as our bacon or chicken tenders to a different brand/cheaper version to make up for this food cost increase, however we have been taught if something is good to not change it. We wanted to make some of our specials more affordable to our daily customers, a Blue Plate Special.”
Simoneaux also shared that family extends into the community as they contribute in many ways.
“We buy ads from many of the schools here in Seminole County for their yearbooks,” she said. “We have supported football teams and band programs over the years. We partner with Freeway Ministries where dinner is provided every Thursday night at 5:30 p.m. at Central Church Sanford on State Road 46 in ‘The Hanger.’ We take turns with other restaurants or churches to provide meals to anyone who needs one.”
Colonial Room Restaurant is open daily Monday to Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are located at 105 E. 1st Street in Sanford and can be reached by phone at 407-323-2999 or their website at https://colonialroomsanford.com/
