For 25-year veteran, Kelly O’Neal (pictured above) and his retired Naval vet wife, Tiffany, a new mission begins this morning with a ribbon cutting and this afternoon with a radio remote.
Their new “mission” is to rally thousands of military men and women from the CSRA and “regular folks” who enjoy good food and drinks at their Rally Point Grille restaurant.
“I retired with top secret clearance at Fort Gordon,” said Kelly O’Neal.
Now, he must re-earn the trust of people following a decorated military career.
They are “accidental restaurateurs,” thanks to an angel investor veteran who provided the capital for the O’Neal’s to open the restaurant, including the purchase of the former Suite 10 Restaurant in Evans.
The O’Neal’s have little to no food and beverage experience, but have gotten weeks of rigorous training from a husband-and-wife team from Woodstock, Georgia who are franchising their concept.
“We like to find the right people with the right character and the right core values,” said franchisor, Carrie Roeger, a retired Marine along with her Marine veteran husband who will be there for the grand opening today. They’ve chosen carefully. The O’Neal’s are their first franchisees.
Tim Dalton, an Augusta-based business broker with Integra Business Solutions, put the deal together between Suite 10 and the O’Neal’s.
The ultimate trust comes from CSRA veterans themselves, who have already donated a bounty of military memorabilia, some of which are very personal.
“It’s a great honor that we get to be caretakers,” said Tiffany O’Neal, whose son is following in her footsteps in the Navy. I feel honored that we are entrusted with these stories.”
“When I walk into our restaurant, I feel like I’m on hallowed ground,” she added.
If you stop in this week, you’ll see Vietnam War collections, flags, Persian Gulf posters, and much more. The O’Neal’s are curators of a military museum-like setting.
“As a veteran, it doesn’t matter if you’ve been out of the military three days, three months, or 30 years. You can feel like you don’t fit in. This is one place they know they fit in and belong and can share stories,” added franchisor, Roeger.
At 10:45 this morning, former Augusta Mayor and decorated military veteran, Bob Young will cut the ribbon along with the O’Neal’s franchisors in the shopping center at 4446 Washington Road, Suite 10, across from the Evans Walmart.
Late Friday, the O’Neal’s liquor license for Rally Point Grille was approved—passing another “trust test” in which they’re allowed to serve beer, wine, and spirits.
Tuesday is first responder (or Hero Day), and Wednesday is for the enlisted or veterans—both 20% off.
Rally Point serves comfort food from late mornings Tuesday-Sunday like braised beef, meatloaf, hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, and much more.
