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Is Georgia On Your Mind? If So

Tribune photo by GEORGE WILKENS

Sisters Rhonda Hayes, left, and Allison Hayes and their mom, Jean Hayes, love Savannah, Ga.

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By GEORGE WILKENS

gwilkens@tampatrib.com

Published: February 4, 2009

PLANT CITY - While many restaurants are struggling to stay afloat, one fairly new Plant City eatery has already moved to larger quarters and expanded its menu.

Family-owned and -operated Savannah's Place recently moved to 115 E. Reynolds St., in the 93-year-old Mays Building in the heart of historic downtown.

The new site offers greater visibility in a higher traffic area, said Jean Hayes, matriarch of the business launched last year in smaller quarters at 6241/2 Evers St. That site could accommodate only a small sandwich shop.

"We kind of wanted to do something as a family," and daughter Rhonda Hayes always dreamed of being in the food business in one form or another, Jean said.

"We knew where we were going and had a lot of ideas" but insufficient space

"Within 10 months, we knew we had outgrown it," Jean Hayes said. "We gave birth there, that's what I say."

About the time family members decided larger quarters were a necessity, they spotted a "Restaurant for Rent" sign at the Mays Building. They made the move about three months ago.

Savannah's Place fills a ground-floor space most recently occupied by Good Times Cafe, which closed in the late 1990s.

The menu has expanded at the 2,500-square-foot location, offering everything from meal-size salads to a variety of sandwiches, including perennial favorites such as tuna salad, chicken salad and egg salad.

"We like to appeal to everyone," Hayes said of the menu. "And now we also feature a hot entree every day."

Monday's special, for example, is an Italian entree, while Tuesday is Fiesta Day, offering burritos and other Mexican fare.

Cuban sandwiches, a variety of subs plus such standards as club sandwiches, ham and cheese and roast beef round out the menu, which is still being refined. Soups (served with fresh Cuban bread), smoothies, coffees, other beverages and assorted desserts are also offered.

Hayes, a Maryland native who came to Florida three decades ago, has lived in Plant City for 13 years and is the former catering coordinator for the full-service cafeteria at Verizon's Tampa headquarters off Fletcher Avenue.

Savannah's Place offers catering tailored to customers' needs, not limiting them to selecting from standardized menus, Hayes said.

Hayes is assisted in the kitchen by Natasha Richardson, who made the move from the original location. Rhonda Hayes, 35, also works full time at the restaurant, feeding a love of cooking born years ago.

"Spanish and Italian are my two big loves," she said. "Salads are big, too," she added, singling out the restaurant's signature Fiesta Salad.

Rhonda's sister, Allison, 25, also works fulltime at the family business.

Despite the long vacancy at the former Good Times Cafe site, the "for rent" sign went up only recently.

"We wanted to do some remodeling" first, said Lillian Mays, whose son, Kirk, owns the Mays Building. "I'd like to see a whole lot more restaurants in that area."

Nearby East Reynolds Street restaurants include Allegro Cafe, The Corner Store and Joey's Place, which opened in September.

All four establishments cooperate, borrowing ice or other commodities from one another when needed, Jean Hayes said.

"Not only are we all doing business here, we're good neighbors together," she said. "I think that's unique for today."

Despite the sagging economy, "Our business has been increasing on a weekly basis," Hayes said. "We anticipate that within the next three months, we'll be open in the evenings, especially Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and, possibly, Sunday afternoons," she said.

The restaurant's name was inspired by Rhonda's 13-year-old daughter, Savannah. Plus, adds Jean, "Our favorite place to go is Savannah, Ga."

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433.

SAVANNAH'S PLACE

WHERE; 115 E. Reynolds St., Plant City

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday (later during the monthly Bike Fest and Strawberry Classic Car Show); closed Sunday

TELEPHONE: (813) 752-8300

FAX: (813) 752-8311

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