From Service to Serving: Wendy's New Path

Story

My name is Wendy Baker, and I’d like to share that my lifelong friend, Stephanie, and I are embarking on a journey to open our own bar and restaurant called Salty Biscuit. We are seeking funding to cover unforeseen repairs, essential equipment, supplies, and to help with initial costs, including insurance, licensing, and staffing. We’ve secured our building, signage, and a good amount of supplies already. I’ll be the sole proprietor, while Stephanie will serve as my manager and head cook. Stephanie and I have shared a bond since childhood in Richville, Upstate New York, where our mothers were close friends. Growing up in the 80s, we often found ourselves exploring outdoors and sharing meals, sometimes sneaking extra food from each other's homes. We attended the Richville Christian Academy together until 1985 when Stephanie moved to a nearby town and attended public school. Despite the distance, we stayed connected, visiting and talking whenever possible. In 1999, I joined the Air Force, serving as a Security Forces member at Malmstrom Air Force Base until 2003. Though life took us in different directions, our friendship remained strong, and we affectionately refer to each other as “Biscuit,” drawing parallels to iconic duos like Thelma and Louise. After returning to New York in 2003 with my son, David, I began working at the Silver Leaf Diner, which my grandmother bought in 2001 to foster community which she refers to as “fellowship”. I’ve worked there on and off since, even while pursuing my Bachelor's degree in Homeland Security using my GI Bill. Balancing my studies and caring for David, I also worked part-time as a Direct Support Professional and in tutoring and substitute teaching roles. Eventually I began my journey as an on-call Sexual Assault Advocate which was both rewarding and challenging. Supporting victims required deep empathy and humility. I held their hands in emergency rooms, embodying the compassion they needed in their darkest moments. Reflecting on how I would want to be treated in their situation helped guide my approach, even as the harsh realities of the world weighed heavily on me, especially in a small community where these issues often remain concealed. This experience inspired me to become an Assistant Residential Manager for individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities, caring for 12 to 29 residents in a group home. I oversaw staff, ensured daily needs were met, organized activities, and provided comfort during hospital visits when families could not be there. The residents and staff became my family, and I often checked in on my days off to support them. While I continue to work part-time in this field, the demanding hours, especially during the COVID pandemic, have been challenging. Yet, I remain committed to this vital work, celebrating every small accomplishment as a major victory. My love for these individuals fuels my determination to protect and support them through every challenge we face. I am incredibly proud of my son, David, who has chosen to follow my path by joining the Army National Guard as a Military Police officer. He aspires to transition to Active Duty Air Force, aiming to continue his journey in law enforcement as Security Police. His commitment to serving others fills me with gratitude. My mother set a remarkable example for me. Like David, I followed in her footsteps. I watched her balance night shifts as a waitress while pursuing a degree in home health care during the day, all while raising two daughters. Although we didn’t always have everything we desired, she ensured we had the essentials. Even after committing to a full-time job, she continued to wait tables part-time and volunteered at our school to help with tuition. No matter how busy she was, she made every effort to attend our volleyball games and school events. She cherished waitressing for the connections it fostered and believed that a kind word could brighten someone's day. There were even moments we shared as waitresses together. My mother passed away in 2005 after a long battle with cancer, but her lessons and memories continue to inspire me profoundly. I first met my stepdad when I was just 12 years old. He was a pillar in our community, known for his generosity and relentless work ethic, always ready to lend a helping hand. Though he had no biological children and never married my mother, he embraced me as his own daughter. Even after my mother's passing when I was 25, he remained a steadfast father figure, choosing to stay by my side when he could have walked away. His loss in 2021, just weeks before Christmas due to COVID-19 complications, left a profound emptiness in our family and community. Yet, I am forever thankful for the values and cherished "words of wisdom" he shared with me. For nearly 17 years, my sister and I have shared a home, along with my son and her daughter. We affectionately call ourselves the Richville Golden Girls. When my sister faced unexpected health challenges, we decided it would be best for her to move in with me. Our journey has been tough; she underwent brain surgery at 36, and I had open-heart surgery at 39. Yet, through it all, we have supported one another and cared for our children. My sister has dedicated her career to the restaurant industry, where she thrives and, like me, feels that the customers become part of our extended family. Life as single mothers has presented Stephanie and I with our share of challenges, yet we've always prioritized our children's needs and found ways to persevere. Both dedicated workers, we've opened our homes to support others. This year, I became a disabled veteran due to my service-related injuries, which has given me a renewed perspective and a passionate drive to pursue my dreams. We've been fortunate to travel extensively, with Stephanie even living in Italy as a child with the original owner of our new business space. It feels like destiny. Our love for food has only deepened through our journeys, where we've savored unique culinary experiences not available in our local area. While there are many dining options in our area, we aspire to introduce something fresh, trendy, and distinctive to our community. Our strong partnership, built on hard work and shared values, naturally extends into our business ambitions. As my grandmother said, “food and fellowship united us at the end of each day.” This simple yet profound tradition, inspired by my family’s legacy, drives us to share food and connection with others. We are eager to carry on this tradition in our community, infusing culture, friendship, and love into every dish we serve. We kindly ask for your support in making our dream of opening a restaurant and bar a reality. Thank you for considering our vision.