Johnny Ray’s celebrating nine years

Published 5:14 pm Monday, March 11, 2013

Juliana Swinford, left, 6-year-old daughter of Johnny Ray’s owner Miranda Carter, and friend Kaitlyn Funk, selling Cakepops at a recent function. Juliana, who plans to become the youngest business owner in Shelby County, will be a vendor at Johnny Ray’s Anniversary celebration on March 17. (Contributed)

Juliana Swinford, left, 6-year-old daughter of Johnny Ray’s owner Miranda Carter, and friend Kaitlyn Funk, selling Cakepops at a recent function. Juliana, who plans to become the youngest business owner in Shelby County, will be a vendor at Johnny Ray’s Anniversary celebration on March 17. (Contributed)

By SHELBA NIVENS / Community Columnist

Johnny Ray’s will celebrate its nine-year anniversary in Chelsea March 11-17. Kids eat free all week, and special events take place every night.

For $1 Monday, customers got all the yogurt they could fit in a yogurt cup.

A portion of sales on Tuesday, “Spirit Night,” goes to Chelsea schools. “The classroom with the most visitors that night wins a party with our pig,” Owner Miranda Carter said. “Same thing Wednesday night (Church Night),” when a portion of sales goes to local churches.

On Thursday night, Casey Morris will wait tables, with his tips and a portion of sales going to Chelsea Relay For Life, the fundraiser at the high school for the American Cancer Society, Miranda said.

Miranda pushed hard over the years for Chelsea to have its own Relay, she said, so she will always do what she can to help support it. However, she has passed on to Casey her seat as chair of the event.

“He is a big supporter as well and is very well liked in our community, so I’m expecting a big turnout to come see him wait tables.”

On Friday, Spin the Wheel Day, “you could pay more or less than our usual price (for yogurt) when you spin,” Carter said. Patrons can also win t-shirts and other prizes on the wheel, she said, and if customers guess exactly how much their yogurt weighs, they get it free.

Saturday will be a big day with a sidewalk sale and bounce house. They have several vendors signed up, and people can bring items to sell that day. All they ask from people selling their items is a donation for their Relay For Life team.

Saturday’s event runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We are excited about Jilly Beez being here to sell some of their antique collectibles and décor,” Miranda said, adding that her 6-year-old daughter Juliana will “be launching her new Cakepop Factory” at the sidewalk sale.

“She is on a mission to steal a little of my thunder. She wants to be the youngest female business owner in Shelby County,” said Miranda.

Shelba Nivens can be reached by email at Shelbasn@juno.com.