Postmarked: Family-run Cherryville restaurant has a long mailing list

CHERRYVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Time is one of the hardest things to keep track of. Though there are seasonal reminders, they tend to slip away.

Inside the wood-paneled walls at Home Folks Café in Cherryville, time is not guarded but rather a gift given freely.

There’s no better tracker of time than Thomas Lail.

He and his sisters run their family restaurant. They took over for their parents in the early 2000s.

“We just hope we make them proud,” said Janet Long.

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Thomas is supposed to be washing dishes in the back, but again and again, he’s often pulled to the front.

He’s not taking orders, but rather writing down names, dates, and addresses.

“Put her birthday down,” Thomas told one customer.

“It’s amazing. it’s amazing how many he does,” said Janet.

When he’s not clocking in, he’s at home spending at least an hour a day writing letters.

“I tried to do this by computer, but it overlapped and I couldn’t do it. So, I decided to do it all by hand,” said Thomas.

There are birthday cards. Anniversary cards. Christmas cards.

“I’ve got get-well cards,” said Thomas.

Stacked up like games and puzzles, boxes of cards are piled on every available shelf.

“This will be our eighth year, so I would say 15,” said David Williams.

“Thirty to forty,” said Dan Arthurs.

“I still have my Valentine’s card. It’s just like you save them,” said Jackie Beam.

Thomas has 831 names in his address book. Every important date is saved on his phone.

“I’ve got birthdays and anniversaries on here,” Thomas pointed out.

He mails thousands of letters every year. They always come at the perfect time.

“Here we go. From Thomas, it says, David,” read David. “May the things that are treasured in your heart be your treasures in the coming year. Happy Birthday. Love you, Thomas Lail.”

Each card is different, he’s got a lot of people to remember.

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“It simply says, when it comes to fabulous people, nobody can hold a candle to you,” said Dna.

But every letter is signed… with love.

“For a happy Valentine’s Day, love you, Thomas Lail,” read Jackie.

“That’s the lasting gift from Thomas,” said David.

Occasionally, a card will come for Thomas.

“Thomas, thank you for every card you’ve ever sent,” read Thomas. “Thank you for making me laugh when confetti fell out.”

But Thomas sends more than he ever receives. To him, it’s worth that extra time to keep up with his mailing list.

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