CATAWISSA - It's a typical Saturday morning in Edith's Kitchen in Catawissa as owner Sean Thomas works to fill breakfast orders, including the restaurant's signature breakfast dish, the Catawissa Mess.
That the Mount Carmel native is able to do it with a smile is amazing considering that just two months ago, he was shoveling mud from his kitchen and throwing out food after the Flood of 2011 caused considerable damage to his business.
"That's the point when you find out who your true friends are," Thomas said as he cooked the breakfast orders. "People have been very supportive.
Thomas, a 2000 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School, and his wife, Shauna, opened up the restaurant - located in a former train station on Railroad and Pine streets - in December 2010 to rave reviews from customers. In the summer months, the restaurant added deck dining and "The Station," where live music was played in a relaxed dining atmosphere.
"We were hoping to open up the Station for Christmas parties," Thomas said.
That plan changed drastically back in September when the rains of Hurricanes Irene and Lee struck central Pennsylvania. Thomas remembers talking to people about how the area would be hit.
"I was worried. We closed early on a Wednesday. When we asked about how bad it could be here, some people told me that when Agnes hit, they didn't get much water," Thomas said.
As the rain continued to fall, the Thomases and their children, Graden, 6 years old, and Zane, 1, dealt with flooding issues at their home in Rupert, all the while worrying about the restaurant.
"I was worried when a friend called me and asked if I wanted him to break in and start putting things in higher areas," Thomas said. "Once he said that, I knew it was going to be bad."
When he finally came to Catawissa, there was two feet of water inside the restaurant and mud in the kitchen. The family wasn't deterred, and the work started.
"We had to throw out all the food, rip out all the kitchen equipment and scrub it down, and put in a whole new floor in the dining area and kitchen," the owner said.
If the cleanup effort wasn't hard enough, Edith's Kitchen would have to do it without flood assistance from the government.
"They have a rule that you have to be in business a year to be eligible for assistance, and we weren't," Thomas said.
Thanks to family and friends, the restaurant opened its doors again Oct. 26, and has been thriving ever since.
"When we opened that day, the place was packed, and I just wanted to cry when I saw that outpouring of support," Thomas said. "I had someone come up to me and tell me she was auctioning off a quilt and giving us the proceeds."
Coming from Mount Carmel, Thomas knew the spirit of community was prevalent in the area, and people here always help others in need.
"I started a business in the dead of winter, so it could be a part of the community," he said. "I buy from local people, make everything homemade and employ local workers. I'm working to stimulate the economy and keep community spirit alive."
After seeing the support and going through the ordeal of the flood, both home and at work, Thomas won't complain about the long hours.
"All of this has been a labor of love for me and my family," Thomas said. "We know the good people here, and we want to give them great food and a great atmosphere. No complaints. I'm grateful for the support."