Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

Sunrise Grill—New Owners, Same Menu, New Atmosphere

Story by Sam Calhoun

You wouldn’t think that Ethan Anderson and Casey Pond would need anything else on their plate. They already operate a dynamic realty business, MAP Realty; the region’s largest zero-waste initiative, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore; and Boone’s answer to food delivery, Boone Take Out. But as of May 17, the partners added another notch on their Boone business belt—Sunrise Grill.

The two men have years of restaurant experience and a love for the people of the High Country, so the acquisition of Sunrise Grill wasn’t just another notch on their belt. They love the High Country landmark and want to make it better.

For 10 years, Sunrise Grill has been a hotspot for the breakfast and lunch crowd—a place where everyone knows your name and both breakfast and lunch are served all day, every day. Originally opened by Floridian Andy Viola, the restaurant changed hands to longtime owner Kim Pryor. But with new duties that came with marriage and children, Pryor lacked the time necessary to run the restaurant and put it on the market.

Pond and Anderson jumped at the chance to own their favorite lunch spot and went to work adding their personal touches—short of changing the menu, of course.

“It seemed like an opportunity to fine tune something that was already cranking,” said Pond, who added that the purchase of the restaurant marked the first time that the partners had taken over a turnkey operation. They had started businesses before, but nothing like this.

“We never closed a day,” said Anderson.

“We’ve never jumped on a moving train before,” laughed Pond.

As part of the takeover, the 64-seat restaurant on Highway 105 in Boone became non-smoking, opening up the establishment to more families and residents.

Without changing the menu—a menu that many in the High Country have come to know and love—Pond and Anderson tweaked other parts of the restaurant. They hired new staff and now employ 26 High Country residents, changed the lighting and added a sports-picture motif that features High Country residents practicing adventure sports around the region.

Just as Anderson used to chow down at Sunrise before going biking, Pond and Anderson hope the restaurant becomes a place where High Country adventurers eat before taking advantage of the surrounding sports opportunities in the area.

“It’s local events, local character, local flavor. We want people to come in here and have a good meal before going outdoors,” said Anderson, who also plans to add healthy options to the already-broad menu in the near future. The restaurant already uses trans fat-free oil in the fryers.

Also in the future, Pond and Anderson plan to add a deck to the front of the building and introduce daily specials. They even plan to stay open for dinner when they hire more staff.

Pond is at the restaurant every day, usually around breakfast time, and Anderson is there later in the day, but both show up for lunch every day. The partners manage the place but are not afraid to get their hands dirty doing whatever needs to be done—a business secret they believe adds to their success.

“It’s knowing that you’re not above any job, that you have to help out,” said Anderson.

“You can’t be afraid to jump in and do what has to be done,” said Pond.

Pond and Anderson understand that owners of restaurants have to be around so the operation runs smoothly.

“There’s always an issue that has to be resolved,” said Anderson.

Pond and Anderson’s clientele includes contractors, families, law enforcement officers, surveyors, you name it. The business based on a quality meal in a quality environment. On the weekends, the restaurant is filled with tourists and ASU students; on the weekdays, it’s the regulars and the business crowd.

Above all, Pond and Anderson hope that the people who haven’t visited Sunrise Grill will come flocking in now that the restaurant is smoke-free and under new ownership. They point out it’s not the greasy spoon that many have labeled it.

“It’s a quality place,” said Anderson.

And if you try it out for breakfast, look for Pond. He has just started a breakfast club that includes discounts on Sunrise Grill fare and you just might be the next member.

Sunrise Grill is located at 1675 Highway 105 in Boone. The restaurant is open seven days a week, from 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekends. The restaurant’s full menu is available by clicking to www.boonetakeout.com. For more information, call 828-262-5400.