With the economy being unstable, one Albany business wanted to tell their customers thank you.
B.J.'s Country Buffet and other businesses in the Village Green Shopping Center in Albany made sure their customers felt right at home Saturday.
B.J.'s Country Buffet wanted to make sure their customers knew they were appreciated Saturday.
"Sometimes, Albany gets picked on," said manager B.J. Fletcher. "We have not seen any sadness today. The smiles have been great. The appreciation has been great."
At the same time, they wanted to help out Albany families who've been struggling in a rough economy.
"It is a tough time in this economy," said Old Time Country Buffet Marketing Manager David Milliner. "We want to make sure everybody knows we really appreciate them. Each dollar matters. We want to make sure everybody knows that. We want to keep things going and create more jobs in the process."
They brought out bouncy houses for kids, banners to celebrate, and of course: food, lots and lots of food.
"I had everything," one customer said.
B.J. Fletcher is no stranger to the restaurant business. She says showing appreciation to the customers is crucial to survive in the industry. She wants other companies to entice customers with money saving specials.
"They are going to have to," Fletcher said. "This is a very competitive business. They should. The customer is the reason I am standing here right now. I know who pays my bills. I'd like to take this time to tell everybody: thank you."
And Saturday, the buffet allowed four people to get a meal, drink, and desert for thirty dollars.
"All three of us ate for less than $30, for the three," said a customer.
Treating customers like family help keep the restaurant staff together like a family.
"I've got 95% of my same staff," Fletcher said. "That is what has been amazing. We have got almost the same staff we started with ten years ago."
The 10th anniversary of the restaurant is one that is credited to the customers.
Fletcher says the buffet is proof that hard work and service still thrive even in an unstable economy. She says customer appreciation days don't fix the economy, but they offer a nice break from it.
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