Business roundup: F&M Bank employees head to grocery store to fill food pantries

F&M's canned goods for food pantries. Submitted photo.

A group of F&M Bank employees gathered Tuesday morning at the grocery store armed with a list provided by local food pantries of items each needed.

The F&M employees walked through the aisles, filling multiple grocery carts full of essential items.

“It’s a nice feeling going out with the purpose of helping those in need,” Sandy Moore, Granite Quarry branch manager, said. “I am very grateful to F&M for allowing me that opportunity.”

As employees came into the financial center early on Wednesday for a Thanksgiving breakfast, the entrance was lined with boxes and cans of foods. “What a wonderful way to start the day. A visual reminder that all of us have so much to be thankful for,” Vickie Agner-Keene, an F&M employee, said. After the Thanksgiving gathering, all of the items were delivered to the following food pantries: Salisbury Salvation Army, Rowan Helping Ministries, Main Street Mission and Cooperative Christian Ministries. It was F&M Bank’s goal to stock the shelves of multiple food pantries just before the Thanksgiving holidays so others would have something to be thankful for also.

Sweetest Thing now serves dinner

SALISBURY —The Sweetest Thing Bakery & Cake Boutique is now serving dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

From 6 to 9 p.m., the restaurant at 121 E. Innes St. offers a dinner menu including soups and salads, appetizers, entrees and desserts. While reservations are encouraged at 704-603-4257, walk-in diners are welcome as well.

The Sweetest Thing opened in August 2010.

Foxfire lanes celebrates 25 years

KANNAPOLIS — Twenty-five years ago this month, Frank Simril bought a 24-lane bowling center in Kannapolis.

Since then, he and his wife, Doris, have worked to transform Foxfire Lanes, which now employs both their children and two grandchildren, making it a true family business.

Frank worked as a manager for Brunswick recreation centers for almost 20 years before purchasing his own center. That center was A and J Lanes, which he renamed Foxfire Lanes. But it was more than a name change.

The facility has gone from a 1960s turquoise bowling alley to a modern family recreation center with state-of-the-art computer scoring and other major changes inside and out. Foxfire has seen Kannapolis change around it, as well. Just across the railroad tracks, Cannon Mills closed its doors and the N.C. Research Campus took its place.

Simril’s son and daughter now run Foxfire Lanes. Visit www.FoxfireLanes.com for details.

Submit information about new businesses, honors and management promotions to bizbriefs@salisburypost.com. Include a daytime phone number.