For the past seven years Carl and Joan Slomczenski, owners of CJ’s Village Cafe in Downtown Lake Orion, have opened their doors and served a traditional Thanksgiving meal to anyone in the community without a place to go on the holiday. This year will be no exception.
‘We’ve owned this place for seven years, but before that it was called Margie’s Place, and they served Thanksgiving dinner,? said Joan. ‘Before that, it was called Molly’s Kitchen, and the guy that owned it was the one who started this.?
On Nov. 25, Thanksgiving Day, CJ’s will serve dinner from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Seniors, shut-ins, and anyone else in the community without family or friends to spend the holiday with are welcome to come, free of charge.
‘We have drivers delivering Thanksgiving dinner to shut-ins,? Joan said. ‘If anyone would like to be on that list, they just need to let us a know a couple of days ahead of time.?
Joan, a native of Lake Orion, said Thanksgiving dinner has been served at the restaurant’s 21 West Flint Street location for the past 25 years.
‘I’ve lived here all my life,? she said. ‘My husband’s been here for 10 years. When (CJ’s) was Margie’s Place, I used to work here.?
Every year, CJ’s serves about 200-300 people on Thanksgiving Day, delivering meals to about 30 shut-ins.
Joan remembers a woman and her daughter who came in last year, and were surprised when they learned there was no charge for their meal.
‘They came in, just thinking we were open, and ordered Thanksgiving dinner,? she said. ‘When they asked for their tab and were told there was no charge, they couldn’t believe it. They were so happy, they left a sizable donation to the Lions Club.?
This year, CJ’s received a donation from the Flaming Pistons, an antique car group, and Oldies DJ.
‘This year, they gave us a substantial amount,? Joan said. ‘Last year was the first year they donated, and they surprised us.?
CJ’s vendors donate food for the meal, including the traditional turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, salad and pumpkin pie.
‘They are just extremely happy,? Joan said of the people who come in to eat. Every year we have 15-20 people who help out, all volunteers.
‘We have a lot of loyal customers who come help out, and we had a call from the Boys Scouts this year.?
CJ’s should have even more room to accommodate people for their Thanksgiving dinner next year, as they are preparing to open an addition in the former Broadway Records location on Broadway Street.
Joan said the L-shaped building was originally connected as one, and CJ’s is putting it back to its historical site.
‘That will be open sometime before Christmas,? she said.
CJ’s Village Cafe is located at 21 Flint Street in the Village of Lake Orion. The phone number is 693-8704.