Family Focus: NASCAR family gives back through restaurant

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — A big name in NASCAR just got into the restaurant business, but not to turn a profit. The Gibbs family has opened a deli in Huntersville.
 
When customers grab a sub here at Groucho's Deli, they're also helping a charity.
 
J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing, and his wife Melissa opened the deli with one goal to turn over 100 percent of the profits.
 
"All the money that we make, after we pay our bills and pay our people, goes back to the charities. We just divide them up and we allow the customers to vote on what they're passionate about," Melissa Gibbs said.
           
Three charities are listed on the wall.
 
Customers can designate that the money from their bill goes to Young Life, Make-A-Wish Foundation or Levine Children's Hospital.
 
 "So, if you're a big Make-A-Wish person, you can say, 'I'm going to vote on Make-A-Wish,'" Melissa Gibbs said.
 
"We want to have faith-based ministries that we really support and at the same time we wanna have ministries that help people that are hurting in life," J.D. Gibbs said.
           
The Gibbs said while volunteering with Young Life Youth Ministry, they heard about a church in Washington, D.C,. that ran a coffee shop with a not-for-profit model.
           
Melissa Gibbs said she always loved Groucho's growing up in Columbia, where the chain started.
 
"It's good cause and it's a great meal! It's a win-win," Melissa Gibbs said.
           
Customer Crystal Patrick couldn't agree more.
 
"It's great that it all goes to charity instead of profits for a company. It's helping everybody," she said.
           
She knew before finishing her sandwich which charity she would be helping.
 
The Gibbs chose the first three charities from organizations they were familiar with.
                       
Each group will receive a check next week.
                       
The family wants the community to help choose new charities for next quarter.

To learn more about the Gibbs' charitable giving at Groucho's Deli in Huntersville, click here: http://www.grouchos.com/Huntersville

Here is a link to the Facebook page:  https://facebook.com/GrouchosDeliHVL?_rdr

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