HAZELWOOD, Mo. — A small diner in north St. Louis County overflowed with customers on Sunday afternoon after an April 12 post by the owner of Mann Meats, a neighboring business, took to social media asking the community for help.
Thanks to that post, empty plates were stacked and every table was filled at Jo Jo's Diner in Hazelwood on Sunday.
"I never imagined myself in this situation. It's kind of a dream for us. It's real good and I appreciate the Hazelwood and St. Louis people," Sean Bonin, the owner of the 12-year-old restaurant.
Just days before, foot traffic at the mom-and-pop was nowhere near what it was at this weekend.
"Since COVID … we lost our crew," Bonin said.
Bob Mannecke, the owner of Florissant restaurant Mann Meats, knows the feeling.
"I had nothing when I started my restaurant. I felt that loneliness like I got to do something. Social media is like our backbone," Mannecke said.
He learned about Jo Jo's disposition when he stopped in to ask Bonin for help with a community fundraiser.
"He (Sean Bonin) was like I don't have anything to give. He goes 'You want to buy a diner?' Oh, man. That hit me. I'm like man. This guy is sitting here with his door open and not one person is sitting down."
Mannecke took a picture of the menu on his phone and shared it on Facebook.
Within half an hour, the likes and comments started flowing in and customers started bursting through those doors.
"Come out here the place is packed like this. Parking lot full. I went back in the kitchen. His grill is full. He turns around to me. He's like 'Bob, what have you done to me?' I was like sorry not sorry."
Bonin hasn't stopped moving since that post on Friday, doing every job in the restaurant.
"I'm jumping around like an adult chicken. It's that simple," he said with pride.
One of the people who heard about Jo Jo's was Carol Meier.
"We weren't sure we were going to be able to get in today because Florissant just came out, I'm so proud of Florissant. I'm so proud to live here. This place was great. I'm definitely coming back," she said.
The good deed is a reflection of the success that happens when the small business community unites.
"To see it all come to life in such a short time. It's overwhelming to him but he'll adapt. The community is powerful," Mannecke said.
"You have to have a good heart to help someone else without any extra something," Bonin said.
Jo Jo's is looking to bring on some staff to help with the influx, in hopes people will keep coming.
Their hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day of the week.
Mann Meats and Jo Jo's Diner are currently hiring.