By Amanda Raymond

amanda.raymond@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Mike and Paula’s Eatery on Fisher Street will be open this Sunday to support the production of the short film “Purpose.”

The restaurant will be open to the public for breakfast between 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. this Sunday.

Mike and Paula Preslar own the restaurant.

Mike Preslar said that Michael Lee Denny, the film’s director, writer and producer, often eats at the restaurant and asked if they would consider opening on Sunday.

“They like our food so much, they wanted us to open up,” he said.

Paula Preslar said since the restaurant was going to be open, they might as well open to the rest of the public.

Other customers have also asked if the restaurant could be open on Sundays.

“We get a lot of requests, but we also need a day off,” Mike Preslar said.

The restaurant, at 105 E. Fisher St., is known for its southern, home-cooked, comfort meals. Almost everything is made in the restaurant.

“I think my baked mac and cheese that my grandma made, and I grew up on, that’s a big seller,” Paula Preslar said. She also makes homemade desserts.

Mike Preslar mentioned that the restaurant is the only one in the area that serves sloppy Joes. They also hand-pat hamburger patties from fresh beef at the restaurant.

“Purpose,” a movie being filmed on Fisher Street, is about how a young woman’s life changes because of an interaction she has with a stranger at a bus stop.

Crews will be filming on various Sundays from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. through late August.

Mike Preslar said they try to be as hospitable to the cast and crew of the film as possible.

“We go out of our way to make them feel at home,” Mike Preslar said. “There are very nice people that we’ve met with and we’d like to accommodate them.”

Paula Preslar said it is also a good way to publicize the restaurant.

“So many people in Salisbury still don’t even know that we’re here,” Paula Preslar said.

Mike Preslar said many know him from his racing days. Stanback sponsored him and he competed in National Hot Rod Association drag racing.

This is the only Sunday the Preslars plan to be open — for now.

“We might change it down the road,” Paula Preslar said.

The restaurant’s regular hours are Monday through Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Michael and them have been good to work with,” Mike Preslar said. “We look forward to helping them out.”

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.