ASHLAND — I don’t often have lunch at the same place two days in a row, but the folks at Gerber’s made that an easy decision while I was working in Greenup last week.

I hadn’t been there in a long time and had to look around a bit in the Town Hill Plaza to find the place, and I never did see a sign pointing newcomers inside. For a moment I feared they might have closed, but then I saw a bunch of smiling people contentedly patting their bellies on the way out. I was in an artificial hurry and a little glazed over from spending a morning at the courthouse, but I was welcomed inside and grabbed a table to myself where a young lady who said it was only her fifth day on the job hustled me up cup after cup of fresh coffee.

Meatloaf was the special of the day and it seemed like a matter of seconds before a generous chunk of the homemade entree with beans and mashed potatoes on the side was set before me. At the end of the meal my server caught me trying to do math (a comical process by any measure) to determine the tip, and I was a little surprised when she was surprised to learn I was basing it on a percentage of the total, which she said made good sense to her. My bill for the day was $11, and even at 20 percent that tip seemed low considering how much I enjoyed the meal and the service.

I went back the next day and was served by a gal whose experience taking care of hungry people in a hurry was apparent from a mile away. My coffee cup didn’t stand a chance of running dry and she whipped up the day’s special, a fall-apart tender pork chop accompanied by mixed veggies and mashed ’taters, in no time flat and almost tempted me into gorging myself with a piece of “grandma style” chocolate pie.    

I glanced at the Gerber’s menu and found several unexpected and healthy options, such as a Greek salad, to try during future visits to Greenup. Gerber’s is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or to place an order, call (606) 473-5140.             

Service with a song

Speaking of good service, we recently enjoyed a dinner for two at Rosie’s on U.S. 60 near the Boyd/Carter county line and the lone waitress on duty really impressed me with her work ethic. I don’t know that lady’s name, but I suspect regular customers at Rosie’s will know who I’m talking about when I say she was in constant motion, taking care of customers and mopping the floor at the same.

Almost qualifying as dinner and a show, she also knew every word of Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter” by heart and did a great job singing along when it came on the jukebox. I had just returned from Butcher Holler in Johnson County’s Van Lear community that day and it was a nice capper to an otherwise frustrating  day. I can’t promise you’ll get a song with your meal, but if you’re hungry just remember Rosie’s is open 24 hours a day.

New in Flatwoods

I had a voice message about the opening of a new business in Flatwoods, although my limited research time last week didn’t allow us to catch back up for more information.

The caller was reporting about the grand opening of Beary Sweet Scents & More at 2009 Argilite Road. The new shop offers a line of scented candles, as well as treats and candies by a confectioner I’m unfamiliar with and looking forward to learning more about. The shop will also stock antiques and primitives.

 If I understood the message, Beary Sweet Scents & More had a grand opening Saturday. For more information, call (606) 571-8040.

Ashland Cycle Center

After weeks and weeks of driving by and looking at the new sign on the building, I recently figured out the people at Ashland Cycle Center have moved into the former Stafford Motorsports space on Greenup Avenue beneath Ashland’s signature bridges.

I spent a couple of hours with co-owner Stacy Keelin last week and even though it is absolutely the wrong time of year to have motorcycle fever, I just couldn’t help myself after spending just a few minutes looking over some of the fine machines in stock. In fact, they have a blue Honda Fury in one window that just calls my name. Trying to keep my bike lust in check, I also realized there have been some major advancements in design since I last straddled anything with two wheels, and it was fantastic just walking around and checking out the evolution of things that began back when I was a rider.

While Keelin and I were often guilty of talking more about our own experiences on motorcycles, and the different social circles that have become part of the motorcycle experience, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to get a look behind the scenes at the roughly 100-year-old building. They just don’t build them like that anymore.

If you like bikes, ATVs and other off-road vehicles, personal watercraft and accessories and apparel to correspond with each, drop by at 1301 Greenup Ave., Ashland or call (606) 329-2945.

Celebrating 20 years

As a fully fashion-ignorant male I wouldn’t expect anyone to take my recommendation about places to find nice clothes, although I think there is a small and often overlooked shop on Carter Avenue in Ashland that might be just the right place for ladies seeking great prices on the good stuff.

Carolyn Runyon, owner of A Boutique, is celebrating 20 years in business this year. The small and charming shop inside a beautiful old home, is next door to the Chimney Corner Café. I’m told Runyon will be offering some special deals and discounts to celebrate the shop’s 20th anniversary, which is certainly worth a salute considering the ups and downs of the local economy during the last two decades. For more information, call (606) 324-1082.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.