[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 194 (Thursday, November 4, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE VILLAGE RESTAURANT

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                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 4, 2021

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable community grocer, The Village Restaurant--TGS Community 
Quick Shop.
  The Village Restaurant originally opened in 1986 in Mound Bayou, 
Mississippi. A true family-owned business is now owned and operated by 
brothers and sisters--Dr. Marvel Turner (a CPA by trade), head cook 
Deloris Turner Daughrity and manager, Dorothy Turner Griffith. When the 
business was started in the mid-1980's, six Turners were involved along 
with three siblings--they included mother, Alla Fair Turner (now 
deceased), brother Allen Turner and Etta Turner Simpson, who just 
recently passed away in January. Deloris and Dorothy manage to take 
turns in the kitchen, and they currently have six employees on staff to 
help them prepare food. The front of their business is a grocery/
convenience store, and the back section is where the restaurant is 
located. They sell a variety of meats, fruits, vegetables and produce. 
Their store is really a ``full-service'' type of restaurant.
  Recalling the history of The Village Restaurant (which was first 
known by the initials T.G.S.), Deloris Daughrity said her mother, Alla 
Fair, lived across the street from its current location in the 80's. At 
that time, the building was vacant because the previous tenant had gone 
out of business. Their mother did not want the vacant building to 
become a nightclub or a loud bar in the community, so she and Marvel 
got together and bought the building. The Village Restaurant was 
started with the money she had saved up. Their journey began as a 
convenient store--cooking burgers, chicken, fish, french fries and 
other food items. Then it grew into a full-fledged restaurant. 
Eventually, Deloris left her job in Jackson where she worked at the old 
Hancock Fabric store to come and help in 1986. Additionally, Dorothy 
and Etta were schoolteachers and would come in to work after they 
finished their day jobs.
  After thirty-five (35) years, The Village Restaurant remains the 
archetype icon and central foundation of a family business that retains 
devotion, commitment, and encouragement for generations to come.
  It is with honor to commend the vision of such a remarkable and 
successful family business as The Village Restaurant ``TGS'', which 
still serves the community through service and commitment that has 
sustained Turner family throughout this journey, and whose venture is a 
testament to God's promise of success and longevity to those who 
diligently seek Him and obey His will.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing The 
Village Restaurant--TGS Community Quick Shop for their passion and 
desire to serve others.

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