Slope's BBQ, a family-owned pillar-of-the-community business in Sandy Springs, burned this morning. I don't have all the details -- I heard the chimney caught fire and the roof burned...The fire station is literally across the street, so it didn't take long to respond, but there's smoke, fire and water damage from the basement to the roof.
Here's the deal: the owners, Glenn and Andy McDaniel, are moving everything they can to their other store in Alpharetta. Their catering will not skip a beat -- they will deliver. They are not concerned for themselves or their business. They have insurance. Their biggest concern is for their employees losing out on their tip income, especially right before Christmas. Here's a quote from Glenn:
Just an update. Busy morning and sorry if I can't get to all your comments but thank you for them. We had a fire, we will be closed for a while. Our Alpharetta store is supplying and fulfilling all of our catering orders. We have insurance of course but I want my employees to get their normal Christmas pay they are used to. So... If anyone wants to order a catering or any large order, they are able to take care of that and bring it to you. This is a tough time but we will work through it and I know that things work out for the best when you let your Heavenly Father take care of the details. The sun is shining, everyone is alive, and it's Christmas. All is well. Thank you for your thoughts. All of us at Slope's appreciate you.
So if you feel led to do so, please skip lunch or dinner one day soon, and pitch in the $5 or $10 you save, or whatever you wish. All proceeds will be passed along to would-be tip-earning employees of the Sandy Springs Slope's location who are missing out on Christmas tips.
And if the numbers get crazy, as I've seen some GoFundMe campaigns do, we'll make sure some fire/Christmas/employee-type local metro Atlanta charities get a helping hand.
Thanks!