Longtime Franklin County resident Bill Scott has been a businessman in the area for more than 52 years, and even though his gas station and convenience store is now a sit-down restaurant, Scott is still doing what he’s always done at the little building on Alabama 24 – spending time with the people of this county.
Scott first opened his gas station and store in its present site two miles west of Belgreen in 1960.
At the time, Scott’s store was a one-stop-shop for many county residents who were glad to have a place to go without having to drive all the way into town.
At Scott’s store, customers could fill up their gas tank, get feed for their livestock and seed for their garden, have their tires fixed and pick up a few staple food items.
For many years to come, the store continued to serve the people of Franklin County, especially those who lived nearby.
“Everybody called it ‘Mom and Pop’s Store,’” Scott said. “We had a good variety for our size and it was convenient for everybody.”
Scott said over the years the best thing about the business was always the people.
“I liked talking to everybody that came in and getting to know them,” he said. “I made a lot of friends through my business over the years.”
When Scott suffered a heart attack last year, his doctor wanted him off his feet and his family wanted him to let the store go so it would be one less thing to worry about.
But Scott wasn’t ready to throw in the towel.
“If I wasn’t up here, I wouldn’t get to see everybody,” he reasoned.
Scott’s granddaughter, Cheri Gober, offered the idea of opening up a restaurant in the building instead of having the store.
“She used to work at O’Bryan’s! and she always wanted to have her own restaurant,” Scott said.
The family decided to move forward with their restaurant idea and soon, Papaw Bill’s Steakhouse was born.
The inside of the store was transformed into a spacious seating area that will hold 104 people.
The county motif matches the feel the store always had and the friendly service is indicative of the friendliness patrons have always felt when walking through the doors of Scott’s store.
“I’ve been enjoying the restaurant because I still see some of the folks that used to come to the store,” Scott said.
The restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. They’re also open on the weekends from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.
Their specialties are catfish, steak, bar-b-cue, chicken fingers and a myriad of things in between. They also have a full salad bar and homemade pies, cakes and cobblers made fresh by Scott’s wife, Carolyn.
They usually offer special plates on Sunday, liked the smoked chicken and ribs they’ll have this Sunday.
“We feel like we have a lot to offer here,” said Stephanie Moore, Scott’s daughter. “There’s a good variety of food so there’s something for everybody to enjoy.”
Moore said they also offer catering services and seating for large groups or parties.
“We’re glad to be serving the people of Franklin County,” she said. “These are the people my dad has served for more than 50 years and we want to continue to serve them.”