Crystal's Freedom Bee Subs & More is outdoor eatery in Gnadenhutten

GNADENHUTTEN — Crystal's Freedom Bee Subs & More, at 114 N. Walnut St., has become the latest place to stop for a quick salad, sandwich or dessert.

Its outdoor set-up features picnic tables with umbrellas, decorative flags and flowers on a 21- by 84-foot lot, owned by Jane and John Miller. Food is prepared in a trailer.

Owner and operator Crystal Fouts previously worked at the Tents of Grace, just down the block. She has always served the public in one form or another.

"But once COVID hit, it was hard to make a go of the Tents of Grace so we had to close it," Fouts said. "But I just couldn't give up the restaurant business." 

She noted that with the help of some friends, she was able to purchase a tool storage trailer from Smith Construction from New Philadelphia. She began fixing it up.

She said she was sitting outside one day when some bees started flying around her, which gave her the idea for the name of her cafe.

"Bees were flying around me and they are free, they don't give up. I wanted to be free to make my own choices in life," she said. "My motto is painted on my food truck." 

The motto says: Bee Kind, Bee Happy, Bee Yourself, Beelieve and Bee Free. 

Fouts recently added a stage and would like to start having karaoke on Thursday evenings. She would like to add an awning and other items to the space.

In her "spare" time she works for the Gnadenhutten Water Department.

After serving several customers, Fouts took a seat in her trailer and said with a sigh, "This is the best part of this business," she said. "Being my own boss."