Located on Main Street and open since 1938, The White Grill is the oldest restaurant in Festus, Mo. Although it has switched owners many times, the “regulars” keep coming in to get coffee and great home-cooked meals.

Caroline LaBrayere, 48, has been running it for the last 12 years with the help of her twins, triplets and teenage girl. “They have all worked here, at least once in their lives. Even my two stepsons,” Carol said.

The days are busy and the family takes turns cooking, serving tables or doing the dishes. Caroline has a lot in her hands making sure everything runs fluently at the Grill and at home, keeping everyone happy with her contagious laugh and witty comments.

Every morning at a quarter to 6:00 a.m. a group of regulars starts lining up outside the White Grill waiting for Carol to unlock the door. Once inside, they all sit around the bar on the stool they each have come to call “their own.”