Sandy's Restaurant - Erika Lucas

A Way of Life

I think I stepped back in time when I entered Sandy's Restaurant for owner Erika Lucas’ portrait for Local Focus. Or maybe I stepped into an episode of Cheers (replacing the bar with excellent home cooking). Guests are greeted with smiles, often called by name or immediately nicknamed "love" or "sweetie," and treated like family. Conversations and laughter are exchanged as wait staff move swiftly through the aisles with plates of sandwiches and fries, turkey and gravy, iced tea, and steaming coffee pots. Within the brief time that I was there, I saw a waitress follow a beloved customer into the parking lot because she didn't get her hug yet. I heard, "Hey! I'm glad you're here! Your table's ready, my dear!" as new patrons arrived.

It was like Thanksgiving dinner with an extended family in the middle of July.

This is a place with an impressive number of regulars and friendly faces because it's a place where everyone belongs and everyone is valued. That mindset expands to the Blue Springs community, which is served not only with great food, but with love and generosity by the profits of Sandy's Restaurant.

Erika's passion for helping others seems to know no limits. She founded a charity called Sandy's Angels, which now has nearly 900 members. Erika says "Sandy's Angels does not specify in who we help or give back to. We help anyone in need to the best of our ability." She also started the Blue Stripe Project in Blue Springs to support local law enforcement. This project alone has generated $11,000 for the Shop With a Cop program for underprivileged children in Blue Springs. Additionally, Sandy's works with special needs families, the Rainbow Center, and adults with developmental disabilities. They also sponsor multiple sports teams. 

When disaster strikes, even beyond Blue Springs, they step in to help. After the Oak Grove tornado in March of 2017, Sandy's served meals to all of the cleanup volunteers, collected 10 truckloads of supplies, and donated $2,350.00 to the relief funds.

In the last couple of years, Sandy's has donated and/or raised over $65,000 for people in our community. "I believe that giving is a way of life," Erika says. "The most rewarding feeling in the world is helping others. You don't have to be great to do good."

Visit Sandy's Restaurant at 1428 US-40, Blue Springs, MO 64015

Who do you feel has a positive impact on our community in Blue Springs? Nominate an individual or organization to be featured on Local Focus by contacting jaime@anthem-photo.com.