One new business owners recent loss of job became a turn of luck as he opened one of Atmore’s newest restaurants and has enjoyed much success.

Wagon Wheel BBQ, located at 2820 Hwy. 21 North, began serving customers last month and business has not slowed down since the big day.

Ray Himes, owner of Wagon Wheel BBQ, said things started “strong,” and added they get better every week.

“Everything has been going really good,” Ray Himes said. “We had a lot of word of mouth advertising when we opened, so things have gone great. Every week we see our business grow. God has really been blessing us.”

Himes and his wife, Londy, decided to open the restaurant after a bit of bad luck.

Ray Himes said he was laid off from his job, but had always wanted to open a business.

“I was laid off from USA Ready Mix on Dec. 1,” Ray Himes said. “After that, we talked about it, and it’s always been a dream of mine to open a business, and this fell into our lap. We put all of our savings and a 401k into it. With that and the support of our church, we have been doing well.”

Several things on the Wagon Wheel menu draw the attention of lunch and dinner crowds.

All of the food at the restaurant is slow-cooked with the Himes adding certain seasons.

Ribs, barbeque baked potatoes and Conecuh sausage dogs are the three most popular sellers at the restaurant.

Londy Himes said one customer orders the same thing every day like clockwork.

“We have a man that comes in and orders a Conecuh sausage dog with peppers and onions every day,” Londy Himes said.

Other than serving good food, the Himes’ have one goal in mind for their restaurant.

Ray Himes said he hopes that things go well enough for the business to have the opportunity to expand.

“We would like for this to get big enough where we could expand it,” Himes said. “We would like to be able to hire some people to help us eventually. We haven’t had a day off since we started, but we knew that’s the kind of dedication it would take to be successful.”

For the first month, the Himes’ have enjoyed everything about operating Wagon Wheel BBQ.

Ray Himes said they have had the chance to meet a lot of people and let customers see how their dream has come true.

“Doing this we meet a lot of good people,” Himes said. “Our restaurant allows us to show them what the Lord has been able to do for us.”

For more information about Wagon Wheel BBQ’s menu and catering call 655-0578.