When Floyd and Marcia Jackson moved back to Fort Payne in early 2024 to open a new location of Rib Shak in the city’s historic downtown, they didn’t expect one early job application to shape the heart of their new venture.
Kendle Leigh Larson, who lives with Down Syndrome, was the first to apply when the restaurant announced its plans. Her dream was simple but powerful: she wanted to be a waitress. With determination and confidence, Kendle told her mother that she was going to work there. Her mom, Jamie, reached out to the Jacksons to explore the possibility, and from the first conversation, Floyd and Marcia were fully on board.
They worked together to create a plan tailored to Kendle’s strengths, including having Jamie serve as an assistant to help guide her through the responsibilities of the job. When Rib Shak opened on June 11, 2024, Kendle was ready—and quickly became a beloved part of the team, earning the nickname “Boss Lady” for her take-charge attitude.
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Several months into the job, Kendle informed Floyd Jackson that he would be helping coach her basketball team. Through that connection, other players began expressing interest in working at Rib Shak as well. That led to the creation of Special Friends Night, a weekly program offering individuals with disabilities the opportunity to work as waiters and waitresses alongside trained Rib Shak staff.
Each participant is paired with a Rib Shak employee who serves as a personal helper, providing the guidance and support needed to gain real-world work experience. The result has been deeply meaningful for the families involved, many of whom are seeing their loved ones succeed in ways they never thought possible.
Special Friends Night takes place every Tuesday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Rib Shak in downtown Fort Payne, where the community is invited to dine, celebrate, and support a program that continues to turn dreams into reality.
Rib Shak has become known not just for its inclusive spirit, but also for serving up satisfying Southern food.
Courtesy of Mountain Valley News
