Ex-Arby's serving poultry, patriotism

For locals who want a serving of patriotism with their chicken, the owner of a new fast food restaurant believes he can supply.

“Patriot’s Place” has been born in Albemarle County, replacing the Forest Lakes Arby’s restaurant on U.S. 29 near the intersection of Timberwood Boulevard.

“As much as the food, we put a lot of thought into what we wanted to do under the roof — and that was create a climate where it doesn’t matter whether you’re left or right … liberal, conservative,” owner Tom Slonaker said. “The whole point is that we need to come together. What better way to do that than over all-American food?”

Slonaker’s restaurant now is emblazoned with a large sign in the shape of the U.S. flag, a fitting symbol considering his 2003 battle with the county over his right to fly an Arby’s flag. That was just one of Slonaker’s skirmishes with Albemarle officials, as he has been an outspoken critic of what he deems excessive and unfair enforcement of county regulations, including the county’s sign restrictions.

A judge last year deemed him in non-compliance with Albemarle’s ordinances, fining him $1,000, plus interest, for each of four sign violations.

American flags now adorn both inside and outside the restaurant, and framed copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address are among the decor.

Though the restaurant offers some food similar to Arby’s offerings, a slew of new additions, including pressure-cooked chicken, have been added to the menu.

In the restaurant’s 11th year as an Arby’s, Slonaker insisted on selling food products, such as chicken and desserts, without approval from the company. In response, an Arby’s representative demanded, a day before Election Day, that the restaurant tear down all signs affiliated with the Arby’s brand and break ties with the company, Slonaker said.

“It was not our decision, actually. It was Arby’s decision,” Slonaker said. “I just simply said, ‘Look. I’m going to do the kind of things the successful franchises do. I’m going to offer chicken. I’m going to offer a great product. I’m going to offer desserts, and whether Arby’s allows me to do that according to my … agreement or not, we’re going to do it. And if Arby’s says we can’t, then, you know, we can’t be an Arby’s anymore.’”

Slonaker said he’d been preparing for the day Arby’s would put its foot down, and he was prepared to unleash his vision of a patriotic restaurant. His Arby’s already had American flags inside, but he’s working to take the combination of patriotism and food to a new level.

Patriot’s Place offers 17 food items each for 76 cents, in honor of the year 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed. For $5.99, customers can buy a Thomas Jefferson coffee mug in which coffee refills are 76 cents each. And he plans to fill the place with other patriotic mementos, as well as pictures and biographical information of the U.S. presidents who were from Virginia.

Slonaker said he also hopes the restaurant will be a gathering place for political groups. The building has hosted multiple meetings for the tea party, and he also hopes to host the coffee party, which in part aims to give more political power to common citizens and less to special interests groups.

Slonaker said his business has suffered by allowing the tea party to host meetings at his restaurant. However, he said that he’s also reaching out to liberal groups that might be interested in meeting at Patriot’s Place.

“I don’t shy away from saying I’m a conservative, but by the same token, I respect and admire many liberal points of view,” Slonaker said, adding that Patriot’s Place offers a friendly environment for patriots of a wide array of political beliefs.

For now, Patriot’s Place has no sign, other than the flag, on its storefront. Slonaker said he has to get a sign approved by the county before erecting it.

“In the meantime,” Slonaker said, “we’ll just tell people: Look for the American flags, because they’re always legal.”