Ask any newcomer how they found their way to Winnsboro and you will get one hundred different stories. But the story of the Liefie’s owners Jackie and Flippie Strydom is as unique as the restaurant they created. After arriving in Dallas and living several years in the hustle and bustle they longed for the country living they had become accustomed to in South Africa. More than 10 years ago they were traveling with visiting friends from South Africa and arrived in Winnsboro the weekend of the annual Christmas in the Park Bazaar conducted by many of the area churches. “I couldn’t get over how friendly everyone was to us that day,” Jackie remembered.
“After we shopped all the booths, we left and walked around the downtown area, and I was fascinated by the Redneck Ranch,” she continued. Wherever she went, she found friendly, welcoming folks and began to feel like Winnsboro would be a great place to visit. “God led us to this place…we were meant to be here.”
A decision was made to purchase a small house, use it for a 2nd-home while they fixed it up. Their plan was to eventually “flip it.” The more they visited Winnsboro, the more they felt like this was where they wanted to live permanently. Even the children were asking to move to Winnsboro, which really surprised their parents! They knew “there was no going back!”