Beef 'O' Brady's Connects Community Through Schools

Whether it's a Friday night football after party or an elementary school fundraiser, on Bell Shoals Road has always used schools to keep close to the community.

The building that was formerly home to St. Stephen Catholic Church was transformed into the third ever Beef O'Brady's in 1990 and has since seen the plaza around it rotate through businesses. The one constant is the neighborhood pub, partially thanks to how the business has grown its name in the area.

"The original one was over on Kings Avenue, so the residents around here really came to know and embrace what the company was doing," said Kimberly Wallenius, manager of the Bloomingdale store. "People have rallied around Beef's at times, and they really connect with it."

The business has engrained itself in the community by connecting with local schools. The family friendly atmosphere gives school functions such as Spirit Nights and post-game celebrations a convenient off-campus home.

"We give 10 percent of what we make on Friday nights from 5 to close back to the high school football teams or cheerleaders," Wallenius said. "We've done the same thing for , and Burns Middle School. So it's not just high school kids that Beef's is trying to reach, it's all the families."

Beef's doesn't stop at giving back to the kids either. Every year, the restaurant does Feed the Teachers days and on Friday nights sends free chicken wings to the volunteers in the press box of the local high school football games.

Kim Wallace is PTA president at Cimino Elementary and treasurer of the athletic booster club at . She has worked with Beef 'O' Brady's on several occasions for both schools and believes that Beef's has earned its place in the community through all of the work that they have done to give back.

"We use Beef's a lot for school functions," Wallace said. "The company is always giving to the community. They have never turned us down for anything, they are so supportive. When they give to the schools it means a lot, so we want to go to Beef's to give back to them. We could never do for them what they do for us, but we try. Having a company like that is amazing because other businesses in the area have no interest in helping the schools.

"On top of that, Beef's helps out other organizations like the boy scouts and . They mean a lot to this community."

The location itself and the history is also part of the allure of the Bloomingdale Beef's. Having been in the same place for more than 20 years, the business is a reliable and well known gathering place for everyone in the area.

"We get tremendous support from the neighborhoods around us," Wallenius said. "Also, because of our ties to St. Stephen's there is a connection with that portion of the community. That's the best part about this job is getting to know the people around here. Any Beef's you go to you get to watch the kids grow up and when you see these people in the community, they know you and treat you like family."