Award-winning service
Published: November 22, 2007
A piece of Culpeper's dining history sits at the corner of Main and Williams streets.
For the last 60 years, Baby Jim's Snack Bar has served all American comfort food to nearly three generations of local residents.
And the joint hasn't changed a bit since the day it opened six decades ago.
Well, nothing but the location.
In 1947, Collis Jenkins Jr., who goes by Baby Jim, opened the original business in an alley next to the Dick Weaver Buick Dealership on Main Street.
The retro snack shack moved to its current location in 1952. It is situated underneath a two-story nineteenth-century house where Baby Jim and his wife, Pauline, reside.
A picture of the restaurant taken several decades ago still hangs in the kitchen. And the only noticeable change in the photo were the 1960s vehicles parked outside.
After Baby Jim retired in 1994, his son, Collis Jenkins III, took over daily operations of the busy downtown eatery.
Prior to that, the 1985 Culpeper County High School graduate, earned a bachelor's degree in finance and urban development from American University in 1990.
In addition to serving up tasty hamburgers and fries at the famous downtown eatery, the younger Collis also delivers a charitable act every year at the family's Rock Hill farm on Norman Road.
He hosts the Howlin' Hoedown, a fundraising event for the Humane Society of Culpeper, on their 275-acre farm where they offer hayrides, a petting zoo, pony rides, carriage rides, music and food.
And for that effort, he received the 2007 Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year Award during its annual awards ceremony Nov. 1.
"The award is based on their community involvement and the presence they have in the community especially their work with the Humane Society," said Norma Dunwody, president and CEO of the Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce.
Over the last five years, the Howlin' Hoedown has raised $100,000 for the local charity, according to Collis.
"I just want to thank the chamber and especially the community for supporting us for the last 60 years," said the 40-year-old entrepreneur, after receiving the award. "It was definitely a shock."
Old-fashioned eatery
When patrons visit Baby Jim's, they know they better be on their best behavior. However if they forget, there are several signs posted to remind them.
The first noticeable one is taped on the front door that reads: "If you have to use a cell phone, please use it outside."
Once inside the tiny downtown establishment, other signs read: "No loud talking" and "No foul language."
What's with all of those signs-
When Pauline Jenkins noticed an annoying trend of patrons talking on their cell phones once they reached the window instead of placing an order, she took matters into her own hands and posted the signs.
"It's just rude to others standing in line," she said, explaining her reason for posting the signs. "It irritates everyone."
Although Pauline still works in the kitchen with Collis III. Baby Jim, who has endured health problems, is unable to take on the fast-paced duties of a busy restaurant and spends most of his time upstairs.
Outside, an oversized billboard displays what's on the menu: hamburgers, hot dogs, fish sandwiches, bacon and egg sandwiches and chicken boxes just to name a few. They even serve milkshakes.
According to the crew, the steak and fried onions sandwich is the best thing on the menu.
"We sell everything all day," said Collis. "You can get a cheeseburger at 4:30 in the morning or a bacon and egg sandwich at 2 in the afternoon."
The "old school" restaurant is open daily from 4:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed on Sundays.
When patrons place their orders through a small window, it's usually Collis' 6-foot-1 frame bending down to greet them.
There are no state-of-the-art order machines that you have to holler into like you do at the other fast food restaurants wondering if the person inside has even heard you.
No way.
At Baby Jim's you get face-to-face service. And most of those faces have been with the establishment practically since the start.
Johnny Summers started working at Baby Jim's in 1961 at the tender age of 16.
"I've stayed because of the good food," joked Summers, the 64-year-old cook. "It's a good place to work."
He worked full-time as a construction inspector at the Virginia Department of Transportation while he worked at Baby Jim's on weekends.
Baby Jim's regular customer Kemper Quaintance, a Culpeper native, said his father began bringing him to the historic restaurant since he was a tot.
"It's an institution in Culpeper," Quaintance said, in the tiny lobby of the restaurant last week. "I go to the other restaurants, but I just love the food here."
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