60 In Life

Like a Kid in a Candy Store {take 2}

I thought I’d post these back to back or at least close to back to back… but I thought wrong. I think I need a blogging “secret agent” who can take care of my house while I blog or take care of my blog while I do house! πŸ™‚ If I had such “secret agent” I would have posted these back to back, like I intended!

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A few weeks ago we went to Bellamia and today we’re going to Moore Warren Restaurant Equipment {I interrupt this message to tell you that the word “restaurant” is a word I can NEVER spell correctly… quite possibly the hardest word to spell on the planet. Thankfully my computer is smarter than me.}

Before I get started I browsed my Flickr archives to see what pictures I could muster up that show a few of my favorite things from the restaurant supply store… giant cooling racks, indestructible little people glasses or cocktail glasses {that I also have in GIANT sized big people cups, like Pizza Hut cups that are clear, not red}, melamine plates & bowls, heavy duty coffee mugs … and and lots more that I don’t have pictures of!

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I’m not sure if you have a local restaurant supply store but if you do, you should call and see if they sell to the public because ours does and if you need anything for your kitchen I would go no where else to buy it but there!

It’s not fancy by any stretch but it is absolutely chocked full of industrial grade cooking, baking, serving, and eating gadgets.

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I also feel compelled to share that the guys who work there gave me grief. But it was good grief, I suppose. And as often as I’ve been in, I should have expected it! I can only assume that they’ve never had a someone come in before with their camera and ask permission to take pictures around the store for a blog. Now, I will say, I’m not necessarily a shy person but I it does make me a little squeamish to drop in a store with camera in tow and ask, “Ummm, I have this blog and I’d like to write about your store, do you mind if I take pictures?” They of course didn’t decline but they sure did give me grief… “Is she with the newspaper? No, she writes a blog. What’s a blog? Are you going to tell us what your blog address is? What are you going to write about us?”Β  In all seriousness, they were very kind and we had a small spelling bee at the end over word “melamine” {even though I can’t spell “restaurant”, I can spell “melamine”}… and they’ve always loaded my car for me!

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I have two of these and LOVE them. They are giant, round cooling racks with legs that fold under. Perfect for a big batch of cookies or cupcakes. Speaking of big batches… they cater to big batches of almost anything. These muffin pans have not 12 but 24 cups so that you can bake all your cupcakes or muffins in one fell swoop.

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Somehow I left with out it… not sure how, but I did. Don’t worry little muffin pan, I’ll be back.

There is this wall at the end of the store and if you need any type of serving, stirring, pinching, straining, whisking instrument and they don’t have it… you’re being way too picky.

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I also have a few of those heat resistant spatulas and stainless steel spoons.

I don’t have but think I ‘need‘ a pie/cake slicer and about 5 industrial grade pots & pans.

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They have an unbelievable amount of shakers for all your shaking needs.

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shakers

They also have restaurant grade coffee makers, food processors, ice machines, and blenders; all of which I’d like to own but can’t quite justify.Β  They also have tables, chairs, high chairs, booster seats, table settings, silverware, cups, mugs, pitchers galore, cutting boards, knives {good knives}, bright colored plasticΒ  mesh baskets/trays {the kind you put a piece of paper before you put the sandwich, chips and pickles in}, adjustable leg stainless steel food prep tables that make great craft tables, laundry room tables, or kitchen islands!! Basically I love this place. My SIL gave me two industrial baking sheets for ChristmasΒ  from Moore Warren and they are the biggest, nicest baking sheets I’ve ever owned! My current babysitter/friend Mickey said that the first time she left my house she thought I had been to a local cafeteria closing sale to stock my kitchen! I’m very much okay with that! If had a wedding registry to do all over again… I’d put Moore Warren at the top of the list and I’m not even sure they do that sort of thing, if they don’t, they should!

If you’re local, they’re located between downtown and the Medical Center. They do have a website that isn’t near as cool as they are but you can check it out here… Moore Warren. And if you drop in or call them, you can tell them I sent you! πŸ™‚

And I will leave you with the handiest little offset spatula {I think it’s a few dollars} that I use at least once a week…

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…if you ever ice or spread anything you need one.

And last but not least… here’s a teaser for my final stop!

SS3

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  • cousin
    April 8, 2010 at 10:04 am

    you are one wild woman! you crack me up! i only wish, or george actually, that i loved cooking and kitchen items as much as you! love it! miss you all!

  • Bailey@peppermintbliss
    April 8, 2010 at 10:08 am

    A few things…
    1. Those of us who post multiples from time to time do not have 3 gorgeous babyfriends to take care of, and if there are people out there with multiple babyfriends posting multiples, please don’t tell me about it because it will make me feel tired and bad about myself.
    2. This is seriously my happy place. Every time I come home with a new cooking gadget Pete looks at me like I have returned from the land of Oz. Like where did that come from and how do you intend to use it. I’ll tell you how! To create gastroMAGIC!
    3. That cupcake is makin me Hongray

  • Bridgette
    April 8, 2010 at 10:10 am

    i heart resturant supply stores as well. you are a rock star, you don’t need an agent! love your blog! hugs.

  • angela
    April 8, 2010 at 10:12 am

    I think you posted about this before and when you did I was going to see if I could find one of those stores here in NC. I never did look. But, today I am. I use to work in the kitchen at a summer camp and I think they had every item in that store. It was a walk down memory lane for me. I want to do it in person. Thanks for sharing. I’m off to google restaurant stores!

  • Susan V
    April 8, 2010 at 10:13 am

    Oh my … I am calling to find a restaurant supply store near me right now! I love that 24-count muffin/cupcake pan (I always have to do two rounds of baking) and I need some of the melanine (I hope I spelled that right … I can spell restaurant) plates, cups, etc. for my kiddos. My daughter asks to eat dinner outside every night now that it is warmer and I’m just waiting for us to break a plate! Thank you for the tip.

  • Anne
    April 8, 2010 at 10:20 am

    Wow… I had no idea they sold to the public! I’ll be going over to purchase that muffin pan tomorrow!

  • Katy
    April 8, 2010 at 10:21 am

    This post makes me hungry! I’m going to the yellow pages right now to find a restaurant supply store!

  • Katie
    April 8, 2010 at 10:24 am

    I looooooooove restaurant supply stores! A few weeks ago, I was in one, and I tried every way in my mind to cook up a use for a six foot long wooden prep board. I debated having it cut and using some for little cutting boards and some on our grill. I totally shoulda bought that…

  • Andrea Howe
    April 8, 2010 at 10:26 am

    That fancy little spreader, I have one too! And it was my late grandmothers so it is extra special to me. We do have a restaurant supply store by us and I’ve always thought of going in, but never got the gumption to do it! Thanks for the inspiration, now I will!

  • Jen
    April 8, 2010 at 10:27 am

    I need that 24 muffin pan… you must go back for it!

    I can’t wait to see your fabric store.. that last fabric on the end with the stop light and cars.. is precious.. i just bought a bubble for my little guy at a consignment sale made by Mary James and the bubble is out of that material with a single stop light smocked in the center under the Peter Pan collar!

    Thanks for the tour.. love the colored handles on the utensils.

  • erika (mommasis)
    April 8, 2010 at 10:31 am

    I love it all. I too have the large cooling rack and it is amazing. Since the legs fold up I tuck it away in my pantry when not in use. Next time I come I’m getting more of those Pizza Hut cups.

  • Jacci
    April 8, 2010 at 10:42 am

    Love it, Darby πŸ™‚ And your photos are great, as always.

    I think the trick to posting back-to-back posts is to not publish the first one until you have the second one all finished and ready to go, too. So, you have two drafts that you piddle around with now and then until they’re both done, then you publish them a few days apart when they’re both ready.

    It is hard to keep a finished draft waiting, though, isn’t it? πŸ™‚ Honestly, though, I rarely sit down and write a post, upload photos, and publish it all in one fell swoop. Sometimes drafts take several small sessions with these kiddos under foot!

    I still enjoyed both posts, even though they were a little more spread apart that you’d have liked πŸ™‚

    ~Jacci in Ohio

  • Carrie
    April 8, 2010 at 10:50 am

    I must tell you I have been a fly on your wall for like a year…LOL I never comment but feel that I must tell you I personally would like to VOTE you – MOM OF THE YEAR! I love all that you do and I am so inspired by you to be a better mother, a better Christian, and basically a better everything. Thank you for your post that always make my day so much brighter.

  • Lindsey
    April 8, 2010 at 11:12 am

    What a wonderful store! I work in Mobile and I have one right across the street from my office. I can literally see it out my office window and it’s so dangerous for it to be so close. It’s so much fun to visit regularly to see all the new stuff they get in!

  • Ashley
    April 8, 2010 at 11:13 am

    What a cool store?! I think I would like to THINK that I would buy everything in there, but let’s be realistic…I’m NOT a huge cook πŸ™‚ I’d still love to peruse the aisles!!! And, I’m so proud of you for taking the camera in there – Adam gets to embarrassed with me sometimes when I pull out the big camera and want to start snapping away…I have NO shame!!

  • Christy
    April 8, 2010 at 11:17 am

    That’s funny about the word “restaurant”. I can never spell it either! But I did win the class spelling bee in 4th grade by spelling it correctly (as you can tell, it was one of my finest moments :). Must have been a good guess!

    I love the blue plates! I might need to find one of those stores here.

  • meaghan
    April 8, 2010 at 11:23 am

    ummm, just googled and found that we have one open to the public! STOKED!!!

  • Allison
    April 8, 2010 at 11:24 am

    I knew you lived in Alabama, but I had no idea you all were so close to my two BFFs. Their husbands were both recently stationed at Fort Rucker. My best pal C is going to LOVE this restaurant supply store. She is a fabulous cook and baker. I can’t wait to tell her about this! Thanks for sharing! Since we’re military, I’m always interested to hear what things people like in their town. Their favorite haunts, etc. I never know when I might be swinging through and want to check things out. πŸ™‚

  • Kellie
    April 8, 2010 at 11:25 am

    We have a very similar store here. I have to go there often to buy equipment for work. I LOVE.IT!!!! Everything is very reasonably priced, and YES you can use it at home too! It’s my go-to place for everything kitchen related!!!!! I haven’t bought melamine products for my home, but you may have just convinced me!!!!

  • Elizabeth
    April 8, 2010 at 11:26 am

    I absolutely love the blog and I think we’d be friends if we ever met. I also have a hard time spelling restaurant AND I love the pizza hut cups – my husband got me some for Christmas at our local restaurant supply store. I love ’em.

  • alissa211
    April 8, 2010 at 11:27 am

    oh my. I am drooling over your photos. I would be in heaven in a restaurant supply store! Oh, I wish we had one close, but I don’t think we do!

  • shannon
    April 8, 2010 at 11:28 am

    OH my word! I am head over heels in LOVE!! I may have to make a special trip just so I can spend all day in this store! Thanks so much for sharing!

  • Lane
    April 8, 2010 at 11:34 am

    Restaurant used to confuse me too….now I never forget because I always think that people can “rant” about the food! So I know that you always end it with rant instead of raunt. πŸ™‚ Hope that helps!

  • Lillian - Domestic Simplicity
    April 8, 2010 at 11:35 am

    I’m running off to see if we have one RIGHT NOW!! We need one of those high chairs!

    I love what you said about asking them to take some pictures. I just started a project to force myself to learn how to use my camera more and I’m going to as many farmer’s markets as I can locally at least once a week. It’s challenging to say the least(with a double stroller and two little ones in tow;) and people give me the funniest looks when I ask them if I can take some pictures of their produce or their stands and often do not understand at all why I’m doing it!

  • Karen
    April 8, 2010 at 11:42 am

    You make household cooking gadgets look like works of art! I think I want to frame them and hang them in my kitchen, LOL. I like the restaurant cups idea. I think we need some of those.

    I’m a newcomer to your blog and I have to say that you’re a new favorite of mine.

  • Brim 'n Lea-Team D.C.
    April 8, 2010 at 11:47 am

    You little genious! I am going to immediately look up the closest restaurant supply store I can find and go. Now. What great stuff!

  • Bethany
    April 8, 2010 at 11:52 am

    let me know if you find one of those “secret agents”. i could use one of them myself.

  • Andrea
    April 8, 2010 at 11:58 am

    The only way I can remember how to spell restaurant is to pronounce it in Spanish in my head – rest-a-u-rant-e. Seriously, every time I write it.

  • CAROL B
    April 8, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    Just for the record that cake slicer thing works fabulous!! I work at the local coffee shop and it works perfect to get that nice even slice of chocolate cake even every time! O and i love restaurant equipment shops…I’d love to have two kitchens (like the Duggars have), one industrial and one for personnal :)Thanks for your updates, I look forward to reading them!!

  • Chrissy
    April 8, 2010 at 12:28 pm

    That store? Totally my “toy” store!! I’m going to try to find something similar here in Northern VA! We are moving this summer and I can’t wait to have a kitchen large enough for some “serious” baking equipment. Large sheet pans! That unbelievable cupcake/muffin pan!!! A million and one shakers! Okay, maybe just a few shakers. :o)

    Thanks for sharing all your pics!

  • Amanda
    April 8, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    This place looks like my Mecca!! I’m slightly obsessed with kitchen supplies, so I definitely need to make a visit to Dothan just to go to this store! Thanks for sharing!

  • Abby Maddox
    April 8, 2010 at 1:04 pm

    Yet another reason to move back…and to wonder how it is that you know more about my hometown than I do? πŸ™‚

  • natalie
    April 8, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    oh we love our local supply store as well {mobile fixture}. we have those same melamine bowls and they are so great. bennett’s been known to lick a few clean in his day

  • Amee Love
    April 8, 2010 at 1:34 pm

    Love this post! I actually went by Moore Warren just the other day and wondered if they were even open….I thought to myself, “i wonder if they get any business?” You answered my question Darby. :0) It’s neat how that works sometimes. I will definitely check them out. Looks like a fun store.

  • Abby Maddox
    April 8, 2010 at 1:49 pm

    Is this open-closed-circuit twittering. I had big belly laughs over your comment. I have not checked to see if Lucy would latch on, but according to your video, maybe I should try.

    Yes, I have lost my ever living mind! Partly because there’s a bird that comes every day, sees his reflection in the window in front of my computer and hurls himself at it over and over and over (which is happening as I type).

    Partly because I wrote on the world-wide-web about an intensely personal experience that I didn’t know how to quantify or explain (Jeremiah just read it last night and we were lying in bed and all of a sudden he goes, “Abby, did you have a VISION?” I said, “Why did I write that blog?” and we both just bust out laughing)

    Partly because I’ve embarked on this P90X journey and it is RIDICULOUSLY intense and I’m a zombie by 5:30pm each night (which keeps Jeremiah from showing me what he could do to me–that’s not very coded is it? surely there’s enough comments on your blog that nobody will take the time to read all this).

    Bird STILL hurling himself against window.

    Partly because my husband is picking up girls “for Tommy” in the OR. She may have some red mixed in with her hair…BUT SO DO I!! I may need you and Randy to help me take her out πŸ˜‰

  • Sue
    April 8, 2010 at 1:56 pm

    I thought I was the only one who cannot spell restaurant! I am a fairly good speller but I ALWAYS have to stop and think if I am spelling it correctly. You have made me feel a whole lot better. Love this post…
    I am into all thinks kitcheny (My own word)! Right now we have 4 coffeemakers! We have all kinds of choppers, graters and etc. I would love to have a restaurant supply store like yours! But it could be disastrous to my budget! I love your blog site…….I am a fellow Alabamian, Auburnite and PCA member.

  • Lauren
    April 8, 2010 at 2:33 pm

    I live in Troy and we are in Dothan alot…..I definately need to visit this store! Looks like I could spend alot of time in there – buying alot of stuff!

  • Raylan
    April 8, 2010 at 2:54 pm

    You couldn’t have posted this at a more perfect time! My hubby and I are driving through Dothan tomorrow morning, so it will be an easy pit stop! Thanks so much for the info!!!

  • Samma
    April 8, 2010 at 3:40 pm

    I adore our restaurant supply store here in Knoxville. It’s rather dusty and in a part of town, so naturally I convince myself that I am getting a really good deal!

  • Lindsey
    April 8, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    I love restaurant supply stores! I think it has something to do with my dad…he has been a wanna-be chef since before I can remember and he loves these stores as well.

    And as for your cooling racks, I have a three-tiered cooling rack similar to yours here. It isn’t from a restaurant supply, but it’s big and it folds down and I love it!

  • Melise
    April 8, 2010 at 4:32 pm

    Good Lord, I would get in so much trouble at this store! And I can’t wait for part 3….I’ve heard you talk about before! ;0)

  • Kitty Hurdle
    April 8, 2010 at 4:48 pm

    I am 28-years-old and studied journalism for more years than I’d care to admit…I still cannot spell restaurant!?!

  • kristy masterson
    April 8, 2010 at 6:00 pm

    I too struggled with restaurant. Until I was a high school teacher teaching students the proper spelling with little tricks. So I will share my “trick” with you. Break it up into three parts….REST (hopefully you know this word) πŸ™‚ AU (is the initials for Auburn…I think your sister went there.) and RANT (you can place your own reasoning here). Mine is that Auburn people love to RANT about what a great school it is. Hope this settles your mispellings. Just a tip from one mom to another.

  • Kristen
    April 8, 2010 at 7:03 pm

    Darby, I have the exact same spelling issues with restaurant! I’ve actually recently been “training” myself to spell it correctly because I can’t believe that after this many years I still haven’t got it down. And this supply store looks awesome!! Definitely looks like the kind of place I would accidentally pick up a ton of things I don’t even really need just becasue everything looks so cool.

  • stephanie
    April 8, 2010 at 7:34 pm

    We had one in Memphis! I went before ever shower I threw! So fun. ALMOST as fun as the office supply stores:)

  • Megan
    April 8, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    I LOVE restaurant supply stores! I typically never spell it right either!

  • Melanie Gore
    April 8, 2010 at 9:17 pm

    I love to cook and this store is definitely me:)

  • Traci Curry
    April 8, 2010 at 10:13 pm

    I now want to find a restuarant supply store to get cafeteria (excuse me “melamine”) plates!! Those would be great for my four kids who don’t want their food to touch. I love your blog, it makes me smile at the end of some very tiring and stressful days.

  • ASHLEA
    April 8, 2010 at 11:35 pm

    Oh, what a dream! I have perused my fair share of restaurant supply stores in Houston, but never found one that includes fun items! Mostly just bulk, ugly equipment but I’m going to keep searching till I find one like this. Thanks for sharing!

  • kendall boggs
    April 9, 2010 at 5:45 am

    That’s worth a trip to Dothan to go there. I’m SO there next time I go visit my mom!!!!

  • lori lucas
    April 9, 2010 at 9:07 am

    You know how some women spend WAY too much money on make-up, jewelry, clothes and they have to really will themselves to stay out of malls? That is exactly how I feel about this store and/or stores like it. I could/would spend SO much money there. It made me happy just to look at the pictures. Then it got me to thinking…..hmmmmm…I think I need to go shopping!

  • Vamessa
    April 9, 2010 at 10:46 am

    I have that same little spreader in the last pic and use it everyday for my son’s pb &j sandwich for lunch!

  • Amanda Jones
    April 9, 2010 at 12:11 pm

    Oh how I would love to go there! I am a nut for kitchen equipment and gadgets…I can see me now; “um yes, I’ll have one of everything on this wall, and two of everthing else”! ha! Thanks for sharing!!

  • Katie
    April 9, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    This looks heavenly. I love it!

    noodleandboof.blogspot.com

  • Susan
    April 9, 2010 at 3:12 pm

    My daughter and I have decided that a trip to Dothan is in the very near future. Are they open on Saturdays? Thanks for sharing this. Have a wonderful weekend!

  • Tina
    April 10, 2010 at 6:45 pm

    Oh, I am SO very jealous! I don’t think we have a restaurant supply store, but I’m certainly going to hunt one down!

  • Caroline
    April 10, 2010 at 11:08 pm

    I sure do wish you would send my mother-in-law that helicopter fabric to make some thing for Mason. It is SO cute. (You know we have to find cute helicopter’s cause that’s what Ike flies) I wish I had learned to sew!!! This store looks like so much fun!

  • Ruth Ann
    April 11, 2010 at 4:57 pm

    Darby, what a great store to shop at. My husband would die trying to keep me out of there. I would of course need everything you show in the photos! By the way, I have the solution for Darby Doll’s hair. We, too have a doll or two with the same hair-do. I use Suave detangler, found at WalMart with the children’s shampoo products. You just spray it lightly on the hair and comb those nasty tangles out with a wide tooth comb. A lady at the doll store told me try it. It certainly has made a difference in our tea party attendance. Good luck!

  • Emily L.
    April 14, 2010 at 6:52 pm

    Oh man, I want it ALL!!!

  • Raylan
    April 16, 2010 at 12:16 am

    After reading this, I stopped there last Friday on my way to the beach. I LOVED that place. I bought way more than I intended to buy. The ‘Pizza Hut cups’ are the best!!! I bought one of the huge baking sheets, which I’ve already used several times. It’s a good thing I live far away from there or I would be in major trouble! Thanks so much for the info πŸ™‚