Local restaurant owner recalls cherished memory with President Jimmy Carter

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President Jimmy Carter has left a lasting memory on many Americans posthumously, including the owner of a Southwest Florida restaurant.

Jay Johnson, the owner of Bubba’s Roadhouse and Saloon, hosted the Carters in 2003 as part of the president’s celebration of his assistant, who was born in Cape Coral.

WINK News spoke with Johnson, who said that Carter’s appearance was done solely on a whim, enticing the former president with something near his heart—Georgia peanuts.

The former Georgia peanut farmer accepted Johnson’s offer, appearing at the restaurant on Dec. 30.

The two shared jokes before taking a candid photo together.

“When we asked to take the picture, he said, of course, but he had to be able to stand next to my girlfriend, and he kind of grabbed her and pulled her close,” said Johnson. “And I said, ‘Fine, because I’m going to stand next to Rosalind.’ So I grabbed her and pulled her close to me, and we took the pictures.”

President Jimmy Carter with Bubba’s Roadhouse staff. Credit: Jay Johnson

Johnson expressed the honor of meeting President Carter and his family; however, he told WINK News that he’s not expecting another president to visit Bubba’s anytime soon.

However, if they do, their work will be cut out for them compared to Jimmy Carter’s legendary visit.

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