For generations, Sharon’s Country Diner has been much more than a place to grab breakfast. It has been a gathering spot where neighbors caught up over coffee, families shared meals and visitors returning to Sampson County made it one of their first stops.
Now, owner Shirley Jones is asking the community for one final push to help reopen the beloved downtown Clinton restaurant.
After spending months repairing the building, replacing infrastructure and bringing the restaurant back up to code, Jones said the finish line is finally in sight. The remaining challenge is raising enough money to purchase commercial kitchen equipment, replenish inventory and complete the final inspection needed to welcome customers back through the doors.
“The biggest hardship is really just raising the funds to finish up,” Jones explained. “The biggest thing I had to get done was the plumbing, and that cost quite a bit of money. The little help that I did receive went toward repairing the building and bringing it up to code. Now it’s mostly dealing with getting the equipment back in there and getting the inventory I need — the food and everything — to pretty much start back up.”
Jones added that inflation has made the process even more difficult.
“Everything kind of went up,” she said. “It’s not the same price it was two years ago. I’m just trying to get the rest of the stuff I need, get it inspected and be approved to get open.”
Over the past several months, Jones has explored several fundraising options, including a GoFundMe campaign and social media outreach. While those efforts have helped, she credits the guidance of downtown supporters, including Clinton Main Street Director Tyler Wise, with helping organize events designed to give the reopening campaign new momentum.
“She pretty much laid out a plan to help me get the word out,” Jones said of Wise. “People know me because I’ve been working at Sharon’s Country Diner for so many years, but my reach was limited. Ms. Tyler has a bigger reach because of the connections she has with other businesses in the community. She helped streamline this event, and I’m just excited. I’m just trying to get over this little hump to get it back open.”
Wise said Jones and her volunteers have poured countless hours into making the upcoming fundraisers successful.
“Ms. Shirley and her planning committee have worked extremely hard on creating unique fundraisers to assist with opening Sharon’s Country Diner back up,” Wise said. “The diner was such an asset to the downtown foot traffic and we cannot wait until the doors are back open. I know that the plates will sell out in no time because this community has shown time and time again how we can show up for one another.”
The first fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, beginning at 6 a.m. at the Clinton Farmers Market. Volunteers will be serving country ham, eggs and grits with a drink for $12 per plate, with meals available until sold out.
“I’m hoping it’s a wonderful, blessed turnout,” Jones said. “I’m getting a lot of feedback from people saying they’ve seen the flyers and they’re planning to stop by.”
A week later, supporters will gather again for a community gospel benefit concert on Saturday, July 18, at Jackson Grove Bible Church of God, located at 254 Sinclair Lake Road in Newton Grove. Doors will open at 3 p.m., with the concert beginning at 4 p.m.
The event will feature performances by the McLean Sisters of Dunn, Perry Parker and the Jubilaries, Renewed of Clinton, Blessed of Spivey’s Corner, the Faison Family, Designed for a Purpose, the Gospel Prophets of Dunn, Pastor Michael Boykin & The Mighty Voices and additional guests. Deacon Haywood will serve as master of ceremonies.
Together, Jones hopes the two events will generate approximately $10,000, enough to purchase the remaining equipment and supplies needed to reopen the restaurant.
“My hoping and prayer is that would be enough for the funds raised,” Jones said. “Hopefully we’ll meet that goal for me to get everything I need for the restaurant and get it back up and running.”
Perhaps the greatest source of encouragement throughout the journey has been hearing from customers who continue asking when Sharon’s Country Diner will reopen.
“It helped my heart a whole lot,” Jones reflected. “People come in and ask, ‘When are you going to get back open?’ That let me know they appreciated the restaurant like I did. It wasn’t just another restaurant to them.”
She said many former residents returning home still expect to see the familiar diner serving breakfast.
“The community did a lot for me, knowing people appreciated it,” Jones continued. “They remember coming down for breakfast. I’m thankful because it’s what I know and what I’m used to.”
While reopening Sharon’s Country Diner has taken longer than expected, Jones believes the support she continues to receive is proof the restaurant’s story isn’t over.
“I’m just hoping the community will help out as much as they can,” Jones said. “Just to get it back open.”
If the enthusiasm surrounding the upcoming fundraisers is any indication, Sampson County appears ready to help bring one of downtown Clinton’s most cherished gathering places back to life.