AMERICUS — Last week, Sumter County said good-bye to an old friend as The Varsity Restaurant closed its doors after over 50 years of dining service to the area. The restaurant will reopen in three weeks under a new name and new management.

Say hello to Mrs. Mac’s Fillin’ Station Restaurant & Mercantile as Jeff and Margie MacFarland, owners, will unlock the doors to their ‘50s-’60s-style restaurant. The couple, new residents to Sumter County, come to Americus from Vero Beach, Fla.

According to Jeff, “We were tired of the hurricanes, and wanted to find a place to retire that was close to home.” Home being in Vero Beach, just seven hours away.

He continued, “We’ve been in different parts of Georgia, so I took a map, pointed to an area,” and the rest, as the old cliché goes, is history.

Jeff said, “We found a real estate agent; she found us a place to settle, and we prayed about it, and decided that we should do it.”

“God just opened the doors for us,” said Margie.

Her husband of 17 years agreed, “Things just fell into place. We thought this would be a good place to retire.”

After the buying the property, the MacFarlands discovered that the building where The Varsity was located would be available.

“It is in a good location and it is free standing,” Jeff said, adding that it felt like it would be a good opportunity.

While exploring Americus prior to buying their residential property, Margie had taken a photograph of The Varsity building.

“I had circled it in our album and wrote with a question, our future?” she said.

The MacFarlands both smiled and Margie stated, “When God opens doors, it is amazing!”

Though Jeff has been in the restaurant business for 30-plus years, the couple has only been together in the business for around eight years when they opened Mrs. Mac’s Fillin’ Station Restaurant and Mercantile in Vero Beach.

Opening a restaurant where an already well established eatery like The Varsity operated is “a bit scary, but we are excited,” stated Jeff.

“We really like being here; the people are great. Where we come from, everything is fast paced, and here, people take the time to chat. We just fell in love with the people,” she said.

As for clientele, Jeff hopes the restaurant will draw all ages.

“We want to focus on the college, as it is only two blocks away, professionals and families,” he said.

“In Vero Beach, our customers ranged from teenagers to senior citizens,” said Margie, adding, “and we hope that is what will happen in Americus.”

Changes will be made not only to the decor, but also to the menu. Jeff did promise that “we will be keeping some of the main menu items, like catfish and shrimp. Those were the mainstays of The Varsity. And of course, we will be adding our own menu items.”

“You will get fresh food at a great value,” said Margie.

Not wanting to reveal too much before opening, the MacFarlands did state that the restaurant would be different, as their theme proclaims, when one comes to Mrs. Mac’s Fillin’ Station and Mercantile, one will experience, “casual dining in a yesteryear atmosphere.”

“There will be music playing, like Elvis and the Beach Boys,” Jeff grinned.

“You will be greeted at the door, your table, and the motif will be automotive. Menu items will be carry automotive names,” Margie said.

“I believe that if you pay $2 for a hamburger or $10 for a hamburger, you should have a dining experience,” said Jeff, “and that is what you will get at Mrs. Mac’s Fillin’ Station and Mercantile.”

He added, “It is American food with a twist.”

Mrs. Mac’s Fillin’ Station and Mercantile has a projected opening date of early August.