For more than four decades, generations of Jonesboro residents knew they could find a delicious home-cooked meal at Gina’s Place. 

Formerly located in Fountain Square on Highland Drive, the restaurant occupied the same building for 43 years. Over time, it became the backdrop for everyday lunches, family celebrations and friendships that stretched across decades. When owner Regina McKay learned she would have to leave that familiar space, she thought she was losing far more than a building.

“I was devastated to leave that building,” said McKay. “I had so many memories there of my customers that have passed on, as well as my family; memories of my mom and my younger brother, Vernon, that I left behind.”

The news that Gina’s would need to relocate came just before Christmas, when the restaurant’s landlords decided to sell the property.

“We weren’t given any notice at all,” she said. “Their handyman brought the letter to us right before Christmas break that stated all leases were terminated immediately and that we had until the end of February to leave. We were shocked to say the least.”

Today, McKay looks back on those difficult weeks differently.

“Now, I clearly see it was a blessing,” she said. “God had His hand all over this, and He had a plan.”

That outlook has carried Gina’s Place through one of the biggest transitions in its history. While the restaurant has a new address, its story began more than 40 years earlier with another leap of faith.

Originally known as Ann’s Restaurant, the business opened April 1, 1983. McKay’s mother, Ann, borrowed $500 from Simmons Bank to get started. In the beginning, it was a family operation with Ann, her husband and McKay working together. The restaurant wasn’t originally known for the plate lunches that have become a local favorite.

“It was a sandwich shop,” said McKay.

One Monday morning, Ann decided to cook a pot of soup beans with fried potatoes. At the time, Fountain Square was filled with employees from Southwestern Bell.

“Everyone down the hall started drifting in asking what she was cooking,” said McKay.

That unexpected interest changed the direction of the business. Ann began offering a daily plate lunch. There weren't the multiple choices that Gina’s customers have today. There was simply one home-cooked meal, and people kept coming back.

Years later, another turning point arrived when Ann retired in 1997 to care for her mother after she was diagnosed with cancer. Before stepping away, she made one thing very clear.

“When Ann retired she did not want me and Vernon to buy the business,” McKay said.

Her mother had practical reasons. McKay was raising a young daughter, and Ann worried the demands of running a restaurant would consume too much family time.

“She said no, because being a single parent, I would not have time for my daughter to do everything I needed to do,” said McKay. “She was right.”

The restaurant was sold to another owner, but it didn't stay that way for long.

“My brother, Vernon, would call and aggravate the lady Mom sold it to for a month and finally wore her down,” said McKay.

While McKay was working at Police Supply, Vernon called with unexpected news.

“He asked if I was still interested; I said yes,”she said.

To buy the restaurant back, McKay took out a second mortgage on her home. The previous owner had only operated the restaurant for about a month, but everyone walked away satisfied.

“She had it for a month but doubled her money so she was happy,” said McKay.

Keeping the restaurant in the family meant preserving more than recipes. Over the years, Gina’s Place became woven into the lives of countless customers.

The restaurant welcomed entertainers visiting the old Northeast Arkansas District Fair, which was located nearby at the time. McKay still remembers serving country music stars and hearing their reactions.

“I'll never forget the reaction of Rascal Flatts when they came into the dining room and proclaimed my food smelled just like grandma's house at Thanksgiving,” she said. “What a compliment.”

Another memorable visit came from country singer TG Sheppard.

“TG Sheppard wanted chicken and dumplings and Ann was so excited to meet him,” said McKay. “She was like a school girl.”

The famous visitors made lasting memories, but McKay says the everyday customers have always mattered most.

“I've made lots of memories and made a lot of new friends,” she said.

Those memories extended beyond meals. The original restaurant hosted family milestones that reflected its place in McKay’s own life.

“My mom had her second wedding there, my niece’s second birthday party and now her first granddaughter had her first birthday party there and her second one at the new location,” she said. “I have made so many lasting friendships that will forever be a big part of my heart.”

That sense of community has also shaped how Gina’s Place gives back. A collection box for people experiencing homelessness has long been part of the restaurant.

“I ask my customers to take the little shampoos, soaps, lotions when they travel and stay in hotels, because that’s perfect for a homeless person to keep in their backpacks,” said McKay.

The restaurant also donates to organizations within the community and volunteers whenever possible.

“We received awards for the work we do, which always embarrasses me because I feel like we are just doing what God wants us to do, help our brothers and sisters out in their time of need,” she said.

When Gina’s Place suddenly had to relocate, that same community responded. Finding a new building wasn’t easy.

“I prayed and looked at several locations but kept coming back to this one,” said McKay.

She credits the owners of the property with helping make the move possible.

“The Coopers have been amazing to work with. They had a vision for our future and thanks to a lot of hard work that vision is becoming reality.”

The transition to the new location on Caraway Road, which was formerly McAlister’s, required patience.

“It took three months for the building to get ready,” she said. “That was a very trying time.”

Keeping the business alive during those months required creativity and flexibility from everyone.

“I lost one of my employees, but the rest got creative with their income and cleaned houses, repo’ed vehicles.”

McKay found her own way to contribute.

“I baked and cooked out of my home,” she said. "I baked over 700 pies in those three months and made hundreds of mini entrees. My customers blessed us greatly and kept us going.”

When the restaurant reopened, customers quickly embraced the new location. The improvements have made daily operations easier.

“Our kitchen is three times as big. We have a drive-through window and the dining room is much bigger. Funny though, the exact amount of tables fit in there. We didn’t have to buy a single table.”

The extra space has allowed Gina’s Place to expand what it offers. A grab-and-go cooler now features house-made favorites including pimento cheese, chicken salad, tuna salad, potato salad, sweet and sour slaw, vegetable salad, orange Jell-O salad and fresh fruit.

“So far the demand has been great,” McKay said.

She hopes to eventually add individual entrées to the grab-and-go selection, as well. The drive-through has also become popular.

“Our customers love it,” she said. “It makes it so much easier, and you don’t have to fight the crowd to get your food.”

For first-time visitors, McKay already knows what she would recommend. Breakfast starts with the restaurant’s best-selling dish known simply as “the garbage” – hash browns, bacon, sausage, ham, eggs, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, jalapeños and cheese cooked together and topped with white gravy. For lunch, she suggests one of the daily plate lunches, a club sandwich or a burger.

“You can't go wrong with either,” said McKay.

The response since reopening has confirmed what McKay now believes about the unexpected move.

“My customers tell me daily how happy they are that we are back,” she said. “They are all so excited for us and reaffirm that God had a plan all along.”

She doesn't hesitate when talking about the people who have carried the restaurant through every chapter.

“My customers all mean the world to me,” she said. “They have supported us all along. They are all like my family and I couldn't or wouldn’t do this without them.”

Looking ahead, McKay hopes Gina’s Place remains a family business for years to come.

“In 10 years I hope to still be going,” she said. “I'm sure by then my niece, Shauna, will be running it and I'll be coming in to make pies for her. I love what I do and have no plans of ever retiring. I would miss my customers, my people, my reason for doing what I do. I love my customers. They are my family and they make everything we do worthwhile.”

After everything Gina’s Place has experienced—from a $500 loan in 1983 to an unexpected move more than 40 years later—McKay believes the restaurant’s story is still being written.

“God truly has a plan for Gina’s Place,” she said, “and for that I am so blessed and grateful.”

Gina’s Place is located at 2400 S. Caraway Road. They are open Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for breakfast, and 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for lunch. To learn more, call (870) 910-3900, visit their website at eatatginas.com, or find the restaurant on Facebook.