By Kenneth L. Hardin

For the Salisbury Post

On July 14, all 965 Culver’s restaurants, located in 26 states, celebrated the company’s 40th anniversary with a “Day of Caring.”

All franchises were tasked with identifying a local nonprofit organization in their respective cities and giving them 10 percent of their sales from that day. The Salisbury Culver’s, located at 730 Jake Alexander Blvd. South, chose the Veterans Social Center (VSC) as its recipient.

Tracie Leonard, general manager of the Salisbury location, paid a visit to the center, took a tour and listened to all the free services and activities it offers veterans.

Asked why they chose the VSC, Leonard said, “We are already a veteran-friendly organization. Everywhere I asked, their name kept coming up as a worthy place to work with because they do so much with veterans in need.”  

She remarked how impressed she was with the facility, the volunteers who welcomed her and all the activities and services it offers.

On July 18, VSC volunteers set up a table filled with military artifacts from WWII, Vietnam and the Gulf War. Across from the ordering counter at the restaurant, they met customers at the entrance door welcoming them to the restaurant and providing them with informational pamphlets and flyers on the VSC. The volunteers remained there during the crowded lunch and dinner times, never losing that warm and welcoming attitude displayed daily at the Center. Corey Antonicci, Culver’s owner, shared that sales for that day increased by 4-5 percent as customers willingly rounded up their food order balances.

On July 24, the VSC hosted a check presentation reception that was attended by Leonard, Antonicci, Assistant Manager Jesus Bonilla and crew member Temoni Wiggins. After opening remarks including comments from Rowan County Commissioner Craig Pierce an oversized ceremonial check for $1,573.44 was presented. The check was accepted by 30-year retired Navy veteran and VSC volunteer Thomas Pierce. During his remarks, Antonicci said to the room filled with veterans and other invited guests how pleased he was with the partnership and how he hoped to continue it moving forward. He mentioned that his restaurant serves veterans daily and that all those who present proper identification receive a 15-percent discount.

While the other veterans and invited guests enjoyed munching on assorted cheesecake bars, apple cobbler, blue raspberry lemonade cake, carrot cake, sweet potato cake with pecans and chocolate brownies, all donated by Shaina Newton, owner of CityFoods Catering, LLC, the visiting Culver’s group took a tour of the facility. They were delighted to be able to see and hold living history artifacts that spanned from the Spanish American War in 1898 up through every war and conflict through the 2003 Iraq War. Antonicci shared that he planned to encourage all his veteran customers and others to come out and support the facility.

The Culver’s chain primarily operates in the Midwest. The first restaurant opened in Sauk City, Wisconsin, in 1984, and was originally called “Culver’s Frozen Custard and Butter Burgers.”

The Salisbury location is open seven days a week from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 

Kenneth L. (Kenny) Hardin is the founder of and operates the Veterans Social Center