Article by Jennifer Oliver O'Connell in RedState
A Woman Fulfills Her Dream of Opening a Restaurant, and Makes History in the Process
Teasha Watkins has lived in Pearisburg her entire life and has been cooking for that long too.
“I have been cooking forever,” Watkins said.
Watkins dreamed for a long time of having her own restaurant. In May, she opened Silver & Salt, a down home, stick-to-your ribs restaurant for the community of Giles County. A community that Watkins told local WSLS News that she absolutely loves.
From the Silver & Salt website:
My name is Teasha Watkins I grew up here in Giles. Always loved my hometown and I want to give back to my community with some good home cooking. Hope to see you all soon.
And Watkins did!
WSLS brought their news cameras, and the mayor came out to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“At the ribbon-cutting, it was so nice when the mayor Robert was here, and I was like dang, we are all here for this purpose,” Watkins said.
Co-owner and manager Will White said it’s an exciting milestone.
“It’s mind-blowing,” White said. “It’s just good for the community to be getting some Black cooking.”
Watkins said the customers have shown up to support one of their own.
“Everyone here is good. Everyone has a good heart. Anytime I have ever needed something, all you have to do is post on Facebook and everyone is willing to help. Like no matter what. That’s just the way it is. It’s like a big family,” Watkins said.
What I love about Watkins story and why it is a Feel-Good Friday tale, is that she is simply pursuing her dreams and desiring to give back to her community. Just like Lucy Westlake, Watkins is being who she is and doing what she loves. And Watkins managed to discover a way to pour that love of food into the community that also poured into her.
I know that some of our readers don’t give much credence to “firsts,” and feel as though it is part of the Leftist indoctrination and agenda.
Trust me, it is not, and I think these milestones by women, men, Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, whoever, should always be recognized and heralded. Not to prove any agenda, but to encourage and inspire those around us and the next generation.
Watkins herself was surprised to discover that in pursuing her dream and her passion, she accomplished a cultural milestone as the first Black restaurant owner in the County of Giles and the community of Pearisburg.
“I would be the first Black-owned restaurant ever to be in Giles, which is wild,” Watkins said. “There’s really not been any ever. I was like ‘Dang, I’m 36 and I’m the first. I like that.’”
Watkins proves that the people who truly achieve these milestones are the ones simply pursuing excellence. So, despite how the Left has lowered the bar on these standards, continually seeking excellence and seeking to give it a spotlight will ultimately flip the script. Like Westlake, Watkins desires to inspire a generation.
“You can do whatever you want, for real,” Watkins said. “Just do it. Whatever is in your mind, go for it. Because someone is going to support you.”
Teasha Watkins took that to heart, and hopes others do as well.
If you’re in that neck of Virginia, Silver & Salt is a great place to go grab a bite. Their food looks delicious.
Find out more about this dream, this milestone, and this first of its kind on Silver & Salt’s Facebook page or website.
