The Dix Grill in Raleigh held a grand opening Thursday focusing attention on its niche as a convenient place for breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages for the more than 2,000 state employees who work on the Dorothea Dix campus, within walking distance of its doors.
Evelyn Robertson, a veteran manager of food services operated through the Business Enterprises Program (BEP) in North Carolina that benefits the blind and vision impaired, beamed. The long-awaited ceremony acknowledged the many months of preparation that included remodeling, equipping the grill and hiring and training its staff.
Division of Services for the Blind Director Eddie Weaver and DHHS Secretary Aldona Wos gave remarks and then cut a ribbon to commemorate the event as a group of about 30 division directors and other staff observed.
“What a beautiful place,” Wos said. “I am so happy to see that this is here for our employees. And, I love the way it looks. I guess I’m dating myself by saying that.” The grill has a 1960s retro look with black and white floor tiles and red booths, white walls and plenty of stainless steel.
Weaver recognized the BEP staff in attendance and provided a brief history of the location formerly known as the Grill on the Hill, which relocated to Central Regional Hospital in Butner in 2012.
After nine months of renovations and new equipment additions, the space reopened in November 2013 as the Dix Grill under the management of Robertson. DSB’s Rick Tate worked with Rick Stogner and Central Maintenance, which did the equipment installation and electrical work, creating a savings of an estimated $60,000 in work that did not require hiring a contractor.
Robertson has been involved with BEP for 35 years as both an operator and a trainer in various locations, including 18 years at the Archdale Building in downtown Raleigh. Robertson was born with a condition known as albinism, which caused her to have little or no pigment in her eyes, skin, or hair and affects her ability to see.
After graduating from high school, she applied for a job as a waitress, and, when the restaurant owner hesitated to offer her the position because of her vision loss, she requested one week to show her capabilities. She ended up working there for two years, and, when she decided to move on, the owner did not want her to leave. While acknowledging that it takes hard work to succeed at each venture, she has made a living on every project she has worked on. She believes it is “a good program” and has seen it change a lot of people’s lives.
Located on Pedneau’s Way off of Whiteside Drive and behind the McBryde Building, the Grill is open Monday through Friday for breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Options include a regular menu, daily specials and a soup and salad bar. Call-in orders are welcomed by calling 919-527-6690, and the Dix Grill accepts debit and credit cards.
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