Community Spotlight: NeNe’s Dishes
NeNe’s Dishes in Cabot, Arkansas, may have started small, but it has grown into a beloved local establishment, thanks to owner Tonya Muse’s passion for cooking and community. Before she ever opened the doors, Muse spent years working as a hairstylist in a nearby salon. During that time, she was known for bringing homemade dishes to share with her clients and coworkers. “We would have potlucks at the salon, and people would always ask, ‘What’s that?’” Muse explained. “I was constantly making things for people, sometimes for free, and my brother finally said, ‘Stop cooking for people for free!’ That’s when the idea for NeNe’s Dishes started forming.”
Muse’s passion for cooking eventually outgrew her time at the salon. With encouragement from her family and friends, she decided to turn her love of food into a business. In 2017, NeNe’s Dishes was born, named after her grandson who affectionately calls her “NeNe.” “We were originally going to call it NeNe’s Kitchen, but then someone suggested NeNe’s Dishes since I’d be serving a dish of the day. It just fit perfectly,” she said.
But the real story of NeNe’s Dishes is about more than food. Muse has crafted her business to be a pillar of support for other local ventures, individuals in need, and the community at large. Her focus on giving back and building connections is woven into everything she does.
Though Muse initially envisioned her café as a simple grab-and-go spot with no employees, the business quickly expanded to offer much more. Today, NeNe’s Dishes is known not only for its rotating menu and weekly specials, but also for the way Muse has preserved a beloved local tradition—serving taco salads on Thursdays, a tradition that goes back to the days at Knight’s Grocery. “Every Thursday, we’d go over for their taco salad. It was a tradition,” Muse recalled fondly. When the grocery closed down, she asked for permission to carry on that legacy at her café. “I had to ask before I did it, and Ms. Knight, who owned the grocery, cried when I told her. She was so happy to see the tradition continue.”
“People don’t understand that if you make it to the next year or the next year, I don’t care if it’s year one, year five, year ten. It’s a celebration when you have a small business like that,” Muse explained. “People don’t realize how tough it can be. We celebrate every anniversary, not just because it’s another year for us, but because we see it as a year of serving and connecting with this community.”
Her annual anniversary events reflect her dedication to the local economy. She encourages other small businesses to get involved, creating swag bags filled with items from nearby vendors. “It’s about boosting others, not just myself. I send customers to other local shops all the time because we all offer something different. We’re not in competition; we’re in this together.”
Muse’s flexibility and generosity extend beyond her support for other businesses. When it comes to catering, she makes sure her services are accessible to a wide range of customers, regardless of budget. Whether it’s a full-service wedding or a family looking for affordable meal options, Muse tailors her approach.
“I recently catered a wedding, and the bride’s family was on a tight budget,” Muse shared. “She literally just cried, saying, ‘I didn’t even think I’d be able to do this much.’” Muse’s willingness to adapt her services to the needs of her clients has earned her a loyal customer base, not only for events but for her grab-and-go meals as well.
Her menu, which remains a consistent staple for many in the area, reflects the same adaptability. “People know our top 10 menu items, but we rotate dishes with the seasons,” she explained. “In the spring, we start making strawberry spinach salads with local produce or stuffed baked potatoes when the weather turns cold.” This kind of thoughtful attention to detail keeps customers coming back, knowing they can expect not just a meal, but something uniquely suited to the time of year and local offerings.
While many small businesses struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, NeNe’s Dishes found a way to thrive. Muse had already incorporated curbside service and a strong takeout presence, which became a lifeline during the height of the pandemic. “Curbside was already part of what we did, so when COVID hit, we didn’t miss a beat,” she said. “People would order meals for themselves and even larger orders to help out families who couldn’t get out.”
Muse’s involvement in the community goes well beyond her catering and meal services. She partners with various local organizations, like Lonoke County Safe Haven and The CALL, which supports foster families. “If they bring food in, then we’ll give them 10% off their order here. Then we will take the boxes and fill up the pantries. We also give 10 gift certificates to them. It’s kind of discreet because nobody wants to be embarrassed about what they don’t have or need. So it’s easier to give them that to take down to NeNe’s. They’ll come in, and it says Lonoke County Safe Haven on it, and we know. I make them a sandwich, they grab a bottle of water and a bag of chips, and out the door they go.”
Whether it’s helping with community food drives or offering discounts to foster families, Muse’s philosophy is simple: NeNe’s Dishes exists not just as a business, but as a resource for the people of Cabot. “There’s no sense in putting down anybody else to get yourself up. I’m very big on that. Don’t put others down to get you where you need to be. Don’t be dimming other people’s lights to make yours a little bit brighter because I’ve learned that doesn’t get you anywhere.”
As NeNe’s Dishes approaches its eighth year in business, Muse remains focused on growth and community. She has plans to expand the restaurant space, potentially turning it into a full sit-down venue if the opportunity arises. “If the people next door ever leave, I’ll take down a wall and add more seating,” she said with a smile.
Though the future is still unfolding, one thing is certain—Muse’s commitment to Cabot, her adaptability, and her ability to bring people together through food are what have kept NeNe’s Dishes thriving for so long. “At the end of the day, it’s all about the people. They’re the reason we’ve been able to keep doing this,” Muse said. And as long as Cabot needs a place for community, good food, and a helping hand, NeNe’s Dishes will continue to serve.
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Aug. 27th, 2024