Rib Crib opens with big gift

n The restaraunt donated more than $3,500 in tips from Saturday’s soft opening to Kind at Heart.

Michael Burchfiel/Herald-Leader Wayne Thomas, left, accepted a check from Rib Crib General Manager Chuck Smith. The money was raised for the charity Kind at Heart, which Thomas founded.
Michael Burchfiel/Herald-Leader Wayne Thomas, left, accepted a check from Rib Crib General Manager Chuck Smith. The money was raised for the charity Kind at Heart, which Thomas founded.

Rib Crib just opened in Siloam Springs on Monday, and they are already making their presence known.

The barbecue restaurant chain, originating in Tulsa, Okla., opened its doors to a select crowd in a "soft opening" on Saturday. The invited guests ate for free and the restaurant donated all of the tips to Kind at Heart in Siloam Springs. The company raised a little more than $3,500 for the charity.

"It shows that we are getting involved in the community from day one," said Chuck Smith, the general manager for the newly-opened Rib Crib.

The soft opening invitations were extended to community leaders, Smith said, but he also handed out invitations to people he met before the opening, along with contractors, builders and anyone who played a role in making the new Rib Crib a reality.

Smith said the restaurant had partnered with a lot of companies and a lot of people had worked together to bring the eatery to Siloam Springs, and this was a way of showing gratitude to the community.

Smith said Saturday's soft opening is the way that all new Rib Cribs open. The company of about 50 restaurants also makes it a policy to donate the tips from the first night to a local charity.

The event also worked as a walk-through for the new staff as they served a full house of guests.

Smith said he chose Kind at Heart, which helps the elderly and disabled in Siloam Springs by providing things ranging from simple visits and cards to lawn maintenance and help around the house, out of a list of charities in honor of his grandparents.

Wayne Thomas, the founder and CEO of Kind at Heart, said he is truly grateful for the unexpected donation.

"It was a great blessing to know that Rib Crib chose Kind at Heart," he said.

General News on 02/10/2016