Our Story

Guy Vernon Peaden was born September 27,1914 in Pitt County. He was in the NC National Guard when he was inducted into active service in the US Army September 16,1940. He was in the US Army when he met Flossie Warren at a ball game. Flossie was born March 8,1925 at Penny Hill Hospital in Pitt County. Guy and Flossie were married on July 4, 1941. Flossie lived with his parents, Henry and Daisy Peaden, in the Belvoir community until his return home from the war.
After Guy's return from the war they operated a country store on highway 258 near Tarboro, NC. They bought the business from Guy's sister and her husband , Enoch and Lucy Johnson. In 1949, after 2 years at that location, they sold the business back to Enoch and Lucy and returned to Greenville, NC. They bought a house on the Pactolus Highway (highway 264) near Greenville, NC. guy worked for the Pepsi Cola Bottling company and did carpentry work on the side. Flossie worked at  Fieldcrest Mills  and graded tobacco at her home.
After Flossie's brother, Jerry F. Warren Jr., died suddenly of a heart attack in May 1957, Guy and Flossie bought the business he was operating on highway 11 north of Greenville from his widow, Mae Weatherington Warren. At that time, they sold gas and food items. Guy and Flossie changed the name to  Peaden's Grill in July of 1957. The first day they were open , which was July 4,1957, they took in $5.00.  Flossie went home and cried all night long.
Guy and Flossie had a son Walter Vernon Peaden. He began working at Peaden's Grill when he returned from his enlistment from the service around 1968. He continued working there until he became disabled. He died December 22,2002.
After some years at that location, the NC Department of Transportation division of highways, wanted the land to widen the highway into a four lane. Peaden's Grill was relocated down highway 11 about a 1/4 of a mile where they built a larger building. They had an office, pool room, storage room, buffet line, and a kitchen. Guy and Flossie also operated Spain's Grocery Store on the corner of Evan's and First Street in Greenville, NC as well.
Guy, Flossie and his sister, Margaret Landen Mason,  were on their way home from a vacation trip from Williamsburg, Virginia when he died suddenly of a heart attack on August 14,1983.
In 1985 when Flossie was sixty years old, she retired and turned over running Peaden's Grill to her daughter Mable Peaden and Mable's son Terry Peaden. 
1998, Mable and Terry decided to add on to the building. They closed their doors for 3 months while they remodeled. Their remodel would provide more seating inside as well rebuilding the front entrance to accommodate fast food. The main part of the building was used for the buffet line, dining room and restroom for patrons. Peaden's Grill grows with the only form of advertisement was word of mouth. As before, Peaden's Grill was family owned and operated with the help of sons, daughters and grandchildren. Flossie Peaden continued to own the business until her death August 12,2008. 
On February 18, 2010, Peaden's Grill suffered a great fire and was badly damaged. It was decided to completely demolish the remaining portion with little exception of a few walls and bathrooms and build again. The restaurant remained closed until March 31st 2011.
The restaurant opened as a brand new brick building and new interior decor.  
Peaden's Grill has been a local tradition and land mark in Pitt County since 1914. It remains family owned and operated by Mable and Terry Peaden. 

The Peaden Family: 
Flossie's father, Jerry F. Warren, Sr. helped her brother, Jerry F. Warren, Jr. some in the store when he owned it. After Flossie and Guy bought the business he began working for them until he became ill. He died March 31st 1959 at his daughter's home, Margaret Landen at 301 Live Avenue Greenville, NC.
Guy and Flossie's son, Walter V. Peaden, came home from the army and began working for his parents. He worked for them for 30 years until he became ill. He died December 22nd 2002.
Mable Peaden, their daughter, quit her current job at Dupont to go to work for her parents and still works there today. 
Billy Ray Peaden, their son, worked them for a few months. He rather enjoyed being outside. He ventured on on his own to start Peaden's Tree Service which is still operating today.
Mable's youngest son, Terry Wayne Peade was working at Hackney Truck Company before going to work at Peaden's Grill. He is still working there today. 
Margaret Warren MAcon, Flossie's sister, kept the books for Peaden's Grill for 30 years until they reopened from the remodel in March of 1998. 
Brenda Peaden, Terry's wife, took over the books for the restaurant after Margaret retired and continues today. 
In September 1999, Flossie's home was destroyed by a flood. Her son Walter V. Peaden, bought a double wide mobile home and Flossie lived with him until her death December 22nd 2002. The property now belongs to Terry Peaden, Mable's brother.