Dec. 28—ANDERSON — When it comes to community events in Anderson, Darla Sallee can get the job done.
For her leadership in efforts to improve the community by 2024, Sallee has been selected by The Herald Bulletin Editorial Board as Community Person of the Year.
Central to these efforts for Sallee and her husband, Gary, was the reopening of the iconic Toast Cafe in downtown Anderson. The Sallees had purchased the restaurant in early 2023 and over a 19-month period oversaw a complete gutting and refurbishing of the building’s interior.
“What struck me most is how important this restaurant is to this community,” Sallee said after an open house to celebrate the grand reopening. “So many people have stopped us and said, ‘I have so many wonderful memories of eating here with my grandparents, and now I get to bring my grandchildren.’ That’s very important for the community, and also for Gary and me.
“We wanted to make sure the tradition continues for families in Anderson.”
The Toast has been a staple of downtown Anderson since 1951, when Ted Demos and Andy Vrouvas opened the restaurant.
It closed in November 2022 and its fate remained unknown until early 2023, when the Sallees purchased the property.
They spent more than $1.3 million renovating the restaurant, which included a 1950s-style lunch counter with bar stools and a fountain drinks area.
The couple also has additional plans for downtown Anderson, but they aren’t ready to announce what they entail.
The reopening of the restaurant was just one example of Darla Sallee’s commitment to the community.
She was named executive director of the Anderson Symphony Orchestra in 2021 after working for the city of Anderson, where she was the webmaster and oversaw the start of Anderson TV. She is overseeing the search for a new conductor for the symphony following the retirement of Rick Sowers earlier this year.
Sallee also has plans to perform concerts for area students and host special events related to each symphony performance.
Sallee helped organize pop-up fundraising projects – Jingles and Wrecked eateries – that have revitalized local spaces and generated $26,000 in donations to arts nonprofits.
She was also instrumental in reviving the Gaslight Festival at Historic West Eighth Street in 2023 and helped make the event even bigger this past year.
Sallee organizes the annual Independence Day and Christmas Parades and the JT Menifee Citywide Cleanup.
“My passion is about the people,” Sallee said. “I love Anderson because of the great people. There is something special about the people of Anderson.”
Sallee worked for CASA and Dove Harbor before working for the city in 2007.
“I think Anderson has a self-esteem problem,” she said. “My goal is to bring the community back together collectively. We deserve the beautiful things that other communities have.”
Sallee said there was a time when she considered leaving Anderson.
“There’s something about seeing the people you know,” she said. “It’s a wonderful feeling to be among friends.”
Mayor Thomas Broderick Jr. van Anderson said the Sallees have made a personal investment in the community.
“Darla really cares about the community and loves the community,” Broderick said. “She continually volunteers for any major event that serves as an outreach to the public.”
He said Sallee has made a huge difference in the Anderson community.
“When she left town and went to the Symphony Orchestra, she agreed to help us,” Broderick said. “We rely on her all the time. She knows how to organize and gets the job done.”
Clayton Whitson, executive director of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, said Sallee is involved in a number of community events.
“She is not intimidated by taking on the big projects,” he said. “She’s not afraid to tackle the big issues.”
Whitson said Sallee helps bring the community together for the benefit of all Anderson and Madison County residents.
“Gary and Darla Sallee exemplify Anderson’s rising generation of civic leaders,” said Holly Miller, who nominated the Sallees for the annual Person of the Year award.
“Personal and professional partners, they are visionary entrepreneurs willing to take risks to make a positive impact on their hometown,” said Miller. “Their success is obvious.”
Miller noted that Sallee is a member of the Anderson Indiana Main Street Association; she also serves on the boards of the Anderson Housing Authority and Paramount Heritage Foundation.
She said Sallee is working to bring new life to downtown Anderson by forging alliances, creating memorable events and providing gathering spaces where collaborative activities can take place.
Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
