Dexter, Missouri - After a recent Hepatitis A scare, local residents have been afraid to go back to the Huddle House in Dexter, Missouri.  An employee recently was diagnosed with the illness and worked in the restaurant for about a week. 

Please remember that Hep A can be anywhere and not just restaurant related.  You can pick it up touching a grocery cart if the previous person had not washed their hands after using the bathroom, plain and simple....wash your hands often especially after using the restroom!

"Right now that's probably the cleanest restaurant in southeast Missouri," commented first Baptist Church Pastor Mark Smith.  "We heard this restaurant was hurting and wanted to do something as we need our local restaurants to do well."

Pastor Smith has challenged his members to eat at Huddle House on Sunday afternoon in shifts so as not to overwhelm them at one time.  Please note there may be a longer wait than usual due to all the people coming between noon - 3 p.m.

"I really wanted to raise awareness that we support local residents and shop in Dexter," continued Smith.  "They have good food at a good price and we are going to show everyone that we can survive eating there and so can you!"

"Where I pastored before there was a struggling restaurant and we would take people there who were visiting our church.  We want to bless this restaurant and hopefully by taking the first step and challenge others to eat there we can make a difference. It was such an inspiration in our community to help a hurting merchant and it is important to support our local businesses."

If you have an opportunity please take the time to check out their vast menu and great prices!  

The ShowMe Times will spotlight local restaurants from now until Valentine's Day with their recent #DexterFirst campaign.  Stay tuned to exciting prizes each week!