By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer 

SHELBY— There is only one place to go for all-you-can-eat pancakes with tea and coffee for $5 — Shelby Iron Works. The first Saturday of every month, Shelby Iron Works hosts a pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m.

Dan Valles, secretary of the Historic Shelby Association that owns and operates Shelby Iron Works Park, serves as the head cook for the pancake breakfasts. With a troupe of volunteers, Valles arrives at the company hall building around 6:30 a.m., and each person has a different job to streamline the process.

“It’s an amazing little beehive of activity because everyone does their own thing,” Valles said. “It’s working well. It turns into a lot of fun and there is a lot of camaraderie there.”

Valles said they have volunteers doing everything from cooking bacon and sausage to bringing plates of pancakes out to tables. Valles usually makes all the pancakes himself.

The pancake breakfasts started in November 2014 after the completion of the company hall building. There was finally a place to gather the community with a kitchen and other amenities. They’ve been slinging pancake batter once a month ever since then, and Valles said they have a pretty good turnout.

“It’s a really nice environment and as soon as they come in the door their face lights up when they see someone they know,” Valles said. “It’s not just breakfast. You come and you know you are going to see someone you know.”

At a price that cannot be beat and an atmosphere for family, Valles said many guests stay and enjoy the park for a while. They go out to picnic tables, explore the area and peek in on the blacksmith club that meets at the same time.

It doesn’t hurt that the pancake breakfast also helps out with Shelby Iron Works’ funding needs as well. It offsets costs and brings more awareness to the park and historic association.

The next pancake breakfast will be Aug. 1 at 7 a.m. at 10268 County Road 42. For more information, visit Shelbyironworks.com.