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'I just want to give back': St. James diner owner pays it forward to first responders

"Many people helped me financially and helped keep us open. This is my way of giving back," said Travis Holt.

ST JAMES, Mo. — It's another night at Country Bob's Family Dining in St. James, Missouri.

The town in Phelps County is about 100 miles west of St. Louis. Come inside and you'll see the energetic owner, Travis Holt, and his servers and cooks all on the go.

"It's an absolute passion and I love food and I get to feed people," said Holt.

His family-owned diner off North Jefferson has been a popular place for the past 14 years.

Holt, 37, has run the business for four years now.

"My mom helps out at the front counter, but I make all the main decisions. It's fun," Holt said.

Recently, tough financial times hit them.

"Three weeks ago I made a Facebook post about how my business was struggling and so we were hurting really bad," added the concerned business owner.

About 4,000 people live in St. James. 

Holt said right after he let everyone know that his doors could possibly close for good, his community came to his rescue.

"It was truly a community effort. It was all the other small businesses doing all kinds of stuff. Oh, I cried all day for five days. It's just heart-warming and a blessing to know that I bring back old memories from other places and I get to feed people and they come here and have fun," Holt said.

In addition to business owners, longtime loyal customers also rallied behind Country Bob's.

Now, with the help of two business owners, for two days, the grateful diner owner is paying it forward.

"I love all first responders," added Holt.

He's feeding emergency, front-line workers his popular buffet meals for free.

"Police officers, sheriff's deputies, paramedics, the highway patrol in our region can come here from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday and from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday for the buffet meals. Yes, at no costs," he said.

"We don't expect it. That's a good thing he did. It's a good deal," said St. James firefighter Bruce Benson.

A "good deal" from a good, humble man happy to serve St. James.

"I am feeding as many people as I can. Full bellies, yeah! Hopefully, they don't sleep while they're patrolling around," Holt said with a hearty laugh.

Holt said when the final free meal is served, he hopes to have fed at least 75 first responders.





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