Tim Harris has Down syndrome, and also owns his own restaurant called Tim’s Place. There, they serve breakfast, lunch and hugs.
According to Tim, “The hugs are way more important than the food. The food is just food.”
Watch Tim in the video below.
More about Tim’s Place:
The famous quote from Walt Disney, “If you can dream it, you can do it†has been the driving force behind the life of Tim Harris. Born in 1986 with Down Syndrome, Tim’s life has been defined by exceeding expectations.
As a 2004 graduate of Eldorado High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Tim was elected homecoming king by the highest margin of votes in school history. During graduation week, Tim was also voted Student of the Year by the administration, faculty, and staff.
In the fall of 2004, Tim moved to Roswell, New Mexico to attend Eastern New Mexico University. Tim earned certificates in Food Service and in Office Skills and worked at a variety of local restaurants including CiCi’s Pizza, Golden Corral, IHOP, and Peppers Bar and Grill. Tim lived in a college dorm and graduated in the summer of 2008.
After college, Tim has worked as a host at Applebee’s restaurant in Albuquerque and has participated in Special Olympics competitions throughout New Mexico. Tim enjoys basketball, volleyball, poly hockey, track and field, and golf. He has won dozens of gold medals as a Special Olympian.
Tim spent much of 2009 and 2010 living aboard a sailboat with his parents and traveling throughout the Bahamas. Tim is now widely known throughout the Bahamas and is an excellent sailor and offshore fisherman.
Tim’s Place – Its Beginnings
As entrepreneurs, the Harris family was looking for a way for Tim to succeed – just like his brothers.During high school, Tim worked as a host at a Red Robin restaurant in Albuquerque. During this time, Tim learned a lot about welcoming guests at a restaurant and developed a loyal following of customers.
After observing the effect Tim had on Red Robin restaurant and its customers, an idea emerged regarding Tim owning his own restaurant. In May of 2010, a lease was signed for a facility in Albuquerque and a construction company was hired for tenant improvements. In June of 2010, Mr. Daniel Meeker joined the staff of Tim’s Place as General Manager.
Thank you for reading about our founder Tim Harris. We welcome your feedback and input.