By Randy Arrington
LURAY, April 19 — Growing up in Rileyville, Daisy Painter developed her love of cooking from her mother and grandmother.
“They always cooked home-cooked meals,” Daisy remembers. “We hardly ever ate out.”
She especially remembers her grandma’s green beans and almost anything her mother prepared.
“She couldn’t fix anything that is bad,” she said. “We grew up poor and mom would get the cheapest food, but she would make it taste like so much more. Everything I prepare is from them.”
On Thursday, local leaders gathered with friends and family to celebrate a ribbon cutting at Daisy’s Country Cravings Market and Deli at 822 East Main Street in Luray hosted by the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce. Painter, along with help from her husband Rodney, son Landon and three employees — Kim, Cassie and Jordan — renovated the convenience store and gas station to develop a larger eat-in area and more of a country general store feel.
“Thank you for being here in Luray,” Mayor Jerry Dofflemyer said. “I know it’s been a lot of hard work. I was out here last week for lunch, and it was excellent.”
Bill Holtzman, owner of Holtzman Oil and Liberty gas stations, owns the property at 822 East Main and will maintain and supply the fuel pumps. Painter owns and will operate the business.
“We’re delighted to be here,” Holtzman said last week. “The store looks beautiful after the remodel…it looks really nice.”
Daisy grew up in Rileyville and graduated from Luray High School in 1993. The spaghetti dinners and meat loaf she now serves at her store originated from her mother’s creativity, often adding her own special touches to the dishes. But Daisy admits that social media has driven their biggest seller.
“Our club is pretty popular…a neighboring business owner from the flower shop posted a club and said how delicious it was…and she has a great following, and it just blew up,” Daisy said. “Now all I have to do is post a picture of the club and people come running.”
Daisy officially opened her “Country Cravings” in Luray on Jan. 9, where “Southern food [is] made fresh daily.” They offer three meals a day, with a wide menu for lunch and dinner, while also serving breakfast all day — “anything from French toast to gravy-and-biscuits.”
Two decades ago, Painter ran Riverside Mini Market in Alma for a couple of years across from the poultry plant. She said her “regular job” conflicted with store hours, so she moved on. Now, back in business in Luray and focused on her “love of cooking”, Painter sells gas and traditional convenience store items, but no longer carries the Virginia Lottery.
“I don’t see where it has really hurt us,” she says of the Lottery.
She continues to test various dishes and items at the store to learn better what customers want.
“Even though we have a menu, I’m trying new things,” Daisy said. “We’re trying healthier options…but even though people will say they want healthier options, they really don’t.”
Indoor seating has grown to a capacity of 30 with new booths recently installed. There’s seating for another 20 outside in front of the store. For those looking to relax a few minutes, there’s even a couple of rocking chairs available inside.
Painter plans to add more outdoor seating behind the building and maybe plant a small garden. That area will host live music in the rear of Daisy’s Country Cravings for an “official” grand opening this weekend.
Robbie Pullen of Front Royal will offer karaoke services from noon to 4 p.m., followed by the regional band “Steal Peach” performing classic rock and country from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 29. Bring lawn chairs. All food and drink on site must be purchased from the store.
Daisy’s Country Cravings Market and Deli at 822 East Main Street in Luray is open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call (540) 669-5965 or check out their Facebook page for regular postings of menu specials.
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