Posted on 03/03/2009 12:09:08 PM PST by nickcarraway
After her ninth DUI arrest, Arden de Saussure resolved to give up the Jim Beam.
In jail she met cocaine addict Michelle Weaver, who told her she’d turned her last trick on Philips Highway.
The two Jacksonville women pledged they would help each other fly straight on the outside.
“We were both scared to death, but we were both so determined,” said de Saussure, a former Ortega debutante.
Today — about seven years later — they own and operate the busy Arden’s Kafe & Katering, a country-style lunch spot off Roosevelt Boulevard staffed by addicts, many on jail work furloughs through the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office substance abuse treatment program.
“Arden helped me out of a mess I got myself into with the law. She understands, but she also holds you accountable,” employee Jackie Hill said recently while slicing cakes in preparation for the daily rush for Arden’s fresh and generous $8 country-style buffet.
“Arden’s a good boss and a good friend. She’s worked hard to get where she is.”
Arden’s, which feeds at least 350 people each day, is doing brisk business despite the sluggish economy. De Saussure said they saw record sales in January.
De Saussure, who has never advertised her business, said God is blessing her efforts because she’s doing the right thing and giving back to others who have had similar struggles.
She borrowed the start-up money for the cafe from her then-estranged mother, Hila de Saussure of West Jacksonville. The two hadn’t spoken in 15 years. She’s since paid back the money and restored her relationship with her mom.
Hila de Saussure, who eats lunch on Fridays at Arden’s after getting her hair done, said she’s overwhelmed that Arden’s has survived the economic downturn.
(Excerpt) Read more at jacksonville.com ...
Florida Times-Union is one of, if not, the most conservative paper in Florida. However, living in Duval County, the paper wanted Mitt Romney. In fact, I believe the county went for Romney during the primary.
I wonder if employees are administered breathalyzer tests when they come to work?
Cool story.
‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ “ Luke 15
Enjoy it,ladies....The Big Zero will put you right back on the street bumming for drug money.
This is just the kind of success that Rush spoke about in his CPAC speech...people being the best they can be and pulling themselves up. What a shame-these hard-working,successful women will have to pay the price for reckless tax-and-spend socialism.
People like these ladies are why America is great.
De Saussure, who has never advertised her business, said God is blessing her efforts because she’s doing the right thing and giving back to others who have had similar struggles.
The Lord Giveth, the messiah taketh away.
very inspiring story
Not only have they lifted themselves out of the trenches but they are helping others as well. I have to admire these women.....prayers for continued success.....and they did it without government handouts
Great story.
He was what you would call overstaffed with lot's of parking attendants who apparently would show up in the evening, direct traffic in the cramped parking lot and presumably be given a few dollars and a meal for their efforts.
It seemed to be a good system. No one feared going into that part of town and there never seemed to be any problems.
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