Appreciating Tradition: Mrs. Janette passes the torch

Mrs. Janette aka "Ms. Super Burger"

The building sat dormant for years. The smell of those famous "super burgers" that used to grab folks on Indian Hut Road was gone into the wilderness. Deep down inside, Mrs. Janette couldn't stand it. "I have to be moving, doing something. That's me all the way," she says as she tells about her recent doctor's visit. "All my life, I've been doing. Late night drives to Columbia to the produce market then back to the restaurant. Had to take care of children."

And that she did. Her cooking provided for her kids education, first cars and more. And if it wasn't the mere fact of supporting a family that drove her, it was her passion to deliver good food.

"I love to cook. Have a big family. Cooked a big Thanksgiving meal this year. They love my collards." 

Her years developing a unique burger and working to perfect it became famously known as the "Super Burger" to a lot of her customers. Just one patty was the size of your hand. And people loved the size and taste. They were all made to order. Nothing sitting around.

Folks working at the saw mill back then knew where to stop for a quick lunch or a dinner for home. 

But one day, the doors shut. No more grand-size burgers walking out.

Until recently. 

Her family knew the importance of tradition. They knew a person like Mrs. Janette and her determination and grit to make something needed an eternal flame of sorts. More, the people of this generation needed to experience what others had done so decades ago. 

And I am glad Tammy, Frankie and Buddy are doing that! 

How many true mom-and-pop restaurants do you know of that still exist today? There's not many. And when you get deep into Georgetown, away from the beach and city, you find those gems. Hidden, of course, and only known to those in a certain radius. 

I think folks like Mrs. Janette and Janette's Super Burger need to be recognized. Not only recognized, but enjoyed. 

Look at the smile on her face above. In mere minutes of our conversation, her face began to light up, as if those memories of years gone gasped breath and flowed through her veins. It looked like a recharging of a spirit that was always there, but needed a boost. At one moment, she perked up, said she had to go to kitchen and see if they needed help. And from that point on, she stayed back there. With her family. With Tammy, Frankie and Buddy. 

The glow was brighter than the any of lights in the small building providing at the time. Nothing but smiles.

And as people walked in to grab an order, they saw her back there. The smiles, the higher pitch of voice filled with excitement and the appreciation for what she created could all be felt in simple words - Well, hello Mrs. Janette!

Tradition lives on at Janette's Super Burger. The smell of those famous super burgers is back in the air. 

And Mrs. Janette couldn't be more happier. 

And we couldn't be more thankful.