Rachel Griffith

Co-manager, Go Burrito, Salisbury, with her husband, Drew
Co-owner, Go Burrito, Burlington, with Drew and Mikey Wetzel

Native of Beckley, WV

Industry: Hospitality/Restaurant

Rachel Griffith came to Salisbury 10 years ago and stayed for family — her own and the sense of family she gets from local people. “You can walk into any locally owned business in Rowan County, and I guarantee you will feel the warmth I feel,” she says. “Anywhere you go, you don’t feel like a customer, you feel like family. This is so crucial to a community. And if your town has that, you have everything.”

She moved here from nearby Lexington, which is home to her mom, to work in the restaurant industry. “As a young mother, I knew that I would have better opportunities to build a solid foundation in a city like Salisbury,” she says. “I started by serving at a popular local restaurant and quickly realized the people in Salisbury were invitingly charismatic, as is the town. It’s been 10 years now, and Salisbury is my home.

“I love the way there are so many people, from all different walks of life, working together in Rowan County to make this county a better, more involved and diverse community that prides itself on embracing and bringing light to the differences we have, that truly make us whole,” she says. “It’s an added bonus that within Rowan County, there are many active and unique downtowns, especially Salisbury, which are filled with excellent restaurant choices, breweries, shops and activities for the family. If you want to step outside the ‘small-town-where-everybody-knows-your-name’ and greets-you-with-a-smile atmosphere, then you can easily travel to Charlotte or Greensboro, and you’re even nestled between the beach and mountains.” 

Family

Rachel is mother to 4-year-old Duncan, 5-year-old Salem, and 14-year-old Addison. The younger children attend pre-school and kindergarten at downtown churches, St. John’s and First Presbyterian, both within easy walking distance of their parents’ jobs and their favorite outdoor space, the new Bell Tower Green Park. “They love to go to the park and play with their friends,” says Rachel. The Griffith family is also active in their own downtown church, St. Luke’s Episcopal.

“I love to do family outings out on the town, love Eaman Park Pool, and love to engage the people of Rowan County through social media and Go Burrito!” Rachel says. A family favorite is the annual Cheerwine Festival, which is filled with food, crafts, and activities for kids. It’s also great for downtown businesses. Rachel’s favorite restaurants, Ivan’s and Mambo Grill, always please with their food, atmosphere, and people who work there. 

Rachel Thrives

Work life is busy with restaurants in two Piedmont cities, and Rachel thrives. She says that the atmosphere at Go Burrito is a true reflection on Rowan County’s Be an Original™ image. “You need to be original, a first-rate version of yourself. My ‘Be an Original’ comes from working at Go Burrito, alongside my husband.

“I have no doubts in my mind that the success of Go Burrito is a reflection of the happiness of our crew. We aren’t a ‘clean-cut’ bunch. You may see tattoos, piercings, and purple hair, but I believe allowing your employees to ‘be original’ themselves, especially in a place they spend much of their time, creates a work environment that is genuine. In allowing my fun-loving crew to be themselves, I have found myself.”

She sees Rowan County as progressive. “We are ready to entwine the future, while protecting our historic past. I don’t believe many places can pull this off the way we have.”