36 years ago, Chuck Quillin had a dream. A dream that would come to fruition and continue even after his death in 2023. In 1989 Chuck Quillin, the owner of Three-Mile Cafe and truck stop, decided he would give back to the community that he loved so much and provide Thanksgiving dinner to all who would come. Little did he know that it would become a tradition for many Bonners Ferrians for years to come.
“This is not a meal intended only for the poor or for lonely singles, Quillin said in an interview years ago, “It is a civic gathering in the spirit of the first Thanksgiving. Entire families come to the diner, and no one is allowed to sit alone. Whether you have or have not doesn’t even enter into it,” Quillin continued. “It’s something where you give back. You’ve got to give back, you can’t take, take, take.”
This was his heart: people. The new owners of Three-Mile Cafe have continued this tradition in his honor.
This year, Three-Mile Cafe located at 51031 US 95, will open at 10:30 a.m. for a Thanksgiving feast. Come and go as you please or pull up a chair and stay a while. It’s what Chuck would want.
Any donations received will be donated to Second Chance Animal Adoption, Bonners Ferry High School Special Education, and the Care and Share program.
Food will be served until 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day or until the food is gone!
Let us know if you need any pies to go with your feast. We’re Olive’s Pastry & Pies, located down here in Post Falls.
Thank you! I will let their manager know. Katie