The Stories Behind the Walls of a Beloved Small Town Iowa Restaurant

If you've ever been to Sally's on Broadway in Springville, then you've probably noticed all of the interesting decor. Covering the walls of the restaurant are all sorts of autographed photos, newspaper clippings, children's artwork, heirlooms, memorials, and so much more. This week, Sally's owner Sally Deeb shared the stories behind some of those unique pieces in a new video from OnMedia. The video's caption on Facebook reads:

“If these walls could talk. We’ve heard that many times! At Sally’s, the walls have a story and add to the experience for all of us."

Sally got her start in the restaurant business at a very young age. She says in the video that her first job was washing dishes at Woody's Arrow Cafe in Anamosa, her father's restaurant, for only $2 a night. She took over Sally's on Broadway over a decade ago, and since then, the restaurant has become an beloved staple in the community.

Being a small town Eastern Iowa restaurant, Sally's features lots of local names on its walls. Guests will probably recognize people like Kirk Ferentz, Caitlin Clark, Lisa Bluder, Keegan and Kris Murray, and Marshal Yanda, who even has a burger named after him!

There is also an entire room dedicated to Austin Smith, a local child who passed away from brain cancer in 2016. The restaurant is a huge supporter of the Austin Strong Foundation and hosts various events and fundraisers each year, like the annual Austin Strong Ride & Drive.

At the end of the four minute video, Sally leaves viewers with this message:

"I want people to leave here feeling like they didn't just have a great meal, they met a family of people that made them feel like part of the family, as well."

I think we can all agree that Sally and her restaurant have done a great job accomplishing that goal! You can check out the full video below: