[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 197 (Tuesday, December 10, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING GRANNY CANTRELL'S RESTAURANT

 Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, as the chairman of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I am 
privileged to honor an American small business for its dedication to 
dignified work and its surrounding community. This week, it is my honor 
to recognize Granny Cantrell's Restaurant of Panama City, FL, for its 
achievements.
  Founded in 2002 by Doug Crosby and his family, Granny Cantrell's is 
well known for its delicious southern comfort food and catering. Based 
on recipes from friends, neighbors, family, and local churches, Granny 
Cantrell's food consists of familiar items such as fried chicken, pot 
roast, and macaroni and cheese. Since opening more than 17 years ago, 
Granny Cantrell's has experienced success and continued growth. Their 
menu has expanded beyond comfort food to offer a variety of daily 
specials and health-conscious options. Today, they are an important 
part of the Panama City community, attracting and retaining customers 
who enjoy their food at the restaurant, as well as at catered events.
  Granny Cantrell's dedication to the greater Panama City community is 
unmatched. In the days following the landfall of Hurricane Michael in 
2018, Granny Cantrell's worked tirelessly with local authorities to 
ensure that the city's employees were fed. Additionally, with the help 
of likeminded community partners, Granny Cantrell's restaurant was able 
to provide and hand-deliver more than 500 prepacked Thanksgiving meals 
and 400 cupcakes to those in need after the hurricane. In recent years, 
Doug and the Granny Cantrell's team have also opened the restaurant's 
doors as a drop-off location for Coats for Kids, a Bay County program 
that collects and distributes gently used coats to prepare local 
children for the winter. Their dedication to the Florida community, 
their fantastic homemade dishes, and exemplary customer service has 
certainly not gone unnoticed. For 9 years running, Granny Cantrell's 
has been awarded Panama City News Herald's Best of the Bay Award, 
highlighting its customers' loyalty and integral place in the local 
economy. Furthermore, Granny Cantrell's has been awarded the Reader's 
Choice Award by Panama City Living for several years in a row to 
commemorate their outstanding food and customer service.
  Small businesses play an important role in supporting and uplifting 
their communities. Granny Cantrell's is a prime example of the bonds 
that small businesses can create when such an integral role is 
bolstered. I am proud to recognize this Florida business for its 
reflection of America's unique entrepreneurial spirit and its 
dedication to the common good of its community. Congratulations to the 
entire Granny Cantrell's team. I look forward to watching your 
continued success.

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