Meet the couple buying one of the most popular restaurants in Columbus
Barry Merrell considers the pending sale of his Columbus restaurant not a business transaction but a family transition.
That’s because, by the end of this year, the new owners will be his assistant, LynnAnn Chamberlin, and her husband, Jason — and because they are committed to continuing the B. Merrell’s traditions making the restaurant a local favorite for 31 years.
Merrell, 72, has been considering retirement since his wife, Louanne, died three years ago.
“It’s just time,” he told the Ledger-Enquirer. “It’s just time to turn it over to somebody. Fortunately, it’s not a sale to somebody from the outside that would come in and not really understand the concept.”
The concept, born at the original location on Manchester Expressway and moved to 7600 Veterans Parkway in 2000, is summarized in the logo that declares in a pun, “Eat, Drink & B. Merrell’s,” where a variety of folks from throughout the Chattahoochee Valley — such as white-collar executives and blue-collar laborers, young families and senior citizens — enjoy the:
- Casual, put-your-feet-on-the-furniture atmosphere
- Rotisserie chicken, slow-roasted in homemade marinade blends
- Chicken wings, with three award-winning sauces that are sold in grocery stores
- A hamburger voted by L-E readers last year as the best in town
- The Beer Tour, where members who drink at least 130 of the 160 brands available get inducted into the Hall of Foam
- And a focus on kids, who can color on their placements and play in the game room.
“My husband and I plan to run B. Merrell’s much like it already is with keeping the same concept and traditions,” Chamberlin told the L-E. “We plan to keep the name, the staff, the food. That’s what we love about it, and so does Columbus and the Valley.”
About the new owners
Chamberlin was born and raised in the area. She graduated from Harris County High School and attended Columbus State University. Jason, a retired U.S. Army captain, is from California and graduated from Fresno State University. They have three sons: Jamin, 10, Hunter, 3, and Wesson, 1.
As the assistant to Merrell for eight years, Chamberlin has handled B. Merrell’s catering, payroll, human resources and accounts payable.
“My role here has grown over the years, and I have learned so much from Barry,” she said. “I wear many hats here at the B, but I’m so humbled and grateful for Barry’s wisdom and experience. He is my mentor, my confidant, but mostly he’s my friend. I’m so excited for his next journey of retirement and being able to enjoy traveling, his family, all of his friends and his sweet grandbaby, River.”
Chamberlin previously worked for eight years as the manager of the Texas Roadhouse in Columbus. She also was the restaurant’s local marketer and bar manager.
“I learned so much from there about how to run a restaurant and carried lifelong relationships away from there too with fellow restauranteurs,” she said. “There is just nothing like a local spot, though, that’s loved and a staple in our community.”
Merrell’s restaurant career
Merrell has been working in the restaurant business since college, first as a dishwasher, then a manager. He worked for seven years at W.D. Crowley’s and 10 years at Malone’s Bar & Grill before venturing out on his own.
“It’s all I’ve ever enjoyed doing,” he said. “There were times I wanted to quit and do something else. My wife would say, ‘Well, what would you rather do?’ I’d think about it for a day, then go, ‘You know what? There’s nothing I’d rather do.’ She’d say, ‘Hush up and go back to work.’”
He and Louanne were married for only six months when Crowley’s asked him to move from Atlanta in 1978 to open the Columbus location. It was just a two-year commitment. But after moving back to Atlanta, they yearned to return to the easier pace in Columbus and did so eight years later.
“It’s such a richer life to live here,” he said.
Merrell is grateful for learning the restaurant business from Eric Gonglach, his mentor at Malone’s, who helped him start B. Merrell’s.
“He was so gracious,” Merrell said. “When I left, he just rolled the carpet out, gave me used equipment, helped me get furniture and gave me advice. He was as great as he could be. He didn’t look at me as competition. He just looked at me as a buddy he’s helping to get in the business.”
Merrell credits Laura Blackman for coming up with the B. Merrell’s slogan and Louanne, who was a graphic artist, for designing the logo. He expressed appreciation for the late Ted Alford, the real estate developer who helped him open the Veterans Parkway location. B. Merrell’s continues to lease the property from the Alford company.
As for a business philosophy, Merrell said, it’s based on fulfilling customer requests as much as possible. So when a customer asked for a caffeine-free Diet Coke and another customer asked for prime rib — and both items weren’t on the menu — a B. Merrell’s staffer hustled to another establishment and returned with the desired order.
“Yes is the answer even before the question,” he said. “You can get no anywhere.”
Welcoming kids, Merrell said, is wise because parents often let their children choose the restaurants they go to, and those kids often become loyal customers as adults and excellent B. Merrell’s employees.
Chamberlin’s extensive experience and positive attitude boost Merrell’s confidence in the new ownership.
“She is very smart,” he said. “She’s been a great student. She’s taken her notes. She’s really been involved. She’s committed to it. She’s spending the time learning the concept as we’re transitioning. She’s passionate about people. She’s a real people person. She’ll be great with the guests.”
This story was originally published October 19, 2022 at 11:44 AM.
