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Snack Time Restaurant Opens in Bolivar

A new restaurant opened in downtown Bolivar September 1 with the goal of providing healthy and affordable fast food.
Snack Time, at 105 N. Main St., offers sandwiches, salads, wraps, smoothies, vegetarian entrees, snacks and desserts.
“We want to provide healthy food for our community and give back to the community at the same time,” said Jeannie Falls, who owns Snack Time with her husband, Cornell. As much as possible, she said, vegetables and fruits used in meals at the restaurant will come from local farmers.
The Fallses had been talking about opening a restaurant for years, she said. They decided to do the project in early July. “We decided we needed a lifestyle change to become healthier not only for ourselves, but for our children as well.” They also noticed that Bolivar lacked options to buy healthy, fast food, she said.
New to starting a business, the Fallses went online for help and connected with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center in Jackson. The office is funded by Jackson State Community College and the U.S. Small Business Administration and housed at the Jackson Chamber.
Through virtual online meetings, the couple worked with Brad Young, a small business consultant at the center, as they went through the steps of getting a business plan, financing, permitting, equipment and other things necessary to start a business. “We really appreciated the help and enjoyed working with them,” Falls said.
“They have worked so hard over the last six weeks to get this together,” said Monique Merriweather, director of the small business center. “They followed instructions and simply went to work and did what it took to realize their dream.”
When zoning became an issue with the first location they chose for the restaurant, the Fallses found a second location in Bolivar’s historical district, Merriweather said. “They remained level-headed and determined to start their restaurant.”
Besides buying as much of their food locally as possible, the couple plans to give back to the community in another way. “A percentage of all of our sales will be donated to Communities in Schools, a local nonprofit that works with families in need to help children succeed,” Jeannie said.
Cornell, who works in manufacturing, was born and raised in Hardeman County. Jeannie is pursuing an associate degree in general studies at Jackson State with a goal of becoming a registered nurse. They have two children.
People can order and pay for their food online. Those coming to the restaurant will order at the counter and can watch their food be prepared. They can opt for carryout or eat at the restaurant.
Snack Time is open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information visit the website (https://snacktimellc.shopsettings.com) or call 731-212-3339.
For more information or to seek help from the Tennessee Small Business Development Center in Jackson, call (731) 424-5389 or email Merriweather at mmerriweather@tsbdc.org.