Jeff Turner is the owner of the Foothill Grill a popular Restaurant/Cafe located in Dahlonega. Jeff and his wife moved to Dahlonega from South Florida and having had previous experience in the food business, started their new endeavor in the North Georgia Mountains. I met Jeff at his restaurant for this interview.
Question: What led you to move to Dahlonega?
Answer: My wife and I had some really close friends that had gone to Las Vegas to elope and ended up spending part of their honeymoon in Dahlonega and fell in love with the town. They bought a house eventually and we would come to visit. We loved the charm of Dahlonega and decided to make the move from Florida to Dahlonega. Two of our children have joined us in Dahlonega. We love the small town feel and laid-back lifestyle.
Question: What led you to your current career?
Answer: My wife and I have been in the restaurant business a long time. My wife’s family was in the restaurant business in Florida and I got into it after working for Budweiser for 13 years. We owned four restaurants in Florida and when we came to Dahlonega it was just natural for us to open Foothills Grill.
Question: What are your favorite Band or Bands (Dead or Alive)
Answer: Steely Band, Boston & Pink Floyd
Question: What do you think “draws” people to Dahlonega?
Answer: Slower pace and just a wonderful place to live, work and be with family.
Question: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Answer: That I consider myself a “creative” person. I love creating new things. (Especially restaurants!)
Question: What current/former local business makes you the most nostalgic?
Answer: The Fudge Factory. It is family owned and it has the feel of an old days gone by “candy store.” I think it reminds people of their childhood AND the candy is awesome.
Question: What advice would you give to people?
Answer: It would be “It is what it is.” I think that says it. Be flexible. Bend. “Life is what it is.”
Question: What is something on your bucket list?
Answer: My wife would like to tour New England and that sounds good to me too!
Question: What is your favorite Restaurant in Dahlonega and what do you love there?
Answer: Easy question. Foothill Grill, my restaurant and I love everything!
