Pearl River County residents looking for a good, New Orleans style po-boy don’t need to travel to the Crescent City, but instead should head north to Scooters on Main Street in Poplarville.

Owner Chemin Pitre said she started the restaurant in Poplarville about two and half years ago.

Pitre said she met her landlord during one of her daughter’s piano lessons that took place inside of what is now Scooters’ dining room. She said he asked her if she wanted to start a restaurant after seeing how successfully she sold Valentine’s Day treats.

So, Pitre and her husband took advantage of the opportunity.

“It was me and my husband’s dream to open up our own restaurant,” Pitre said.

It took the couple 62 days worth of renovations to turn the empty building into a restaurant, Pitre said.

She said her family moved to Poplarville from St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina and fell in love with the area.

It’s Pitre’s love for the city that prompted her to become involved with the Poplarville Chamber of Commerce and fundraising events for local organizations and causes.

“I do fundraisers of all sorts to try and help out the community the best I can,” Pitre said.

Right now, Pitre is participating in a fundraiser to send two little girls to New York City to meet The Rockettes.

Sarah Hebert, a Scooter’s employee, said while Pitre won’t talk about all the good she does, Hebert wanted people to know about how Pitre tries to help her neighbors.

“She’s also known for feeding people when they can’t afford their own food,” Hebert said.

For Pitre, Scooter’s isn’t all about making money; it’s about the people she serves.

“They’re not customers. They’re extended family,” Hebert said.

Pitre and her two-woman staff serve up hot lunches everyday with a smile.

“When you come in, you’re going to find a good atmosphere. You’re going to hear us singing and dancing and having fun,” Pitre said.

Pitre and her staff may also be found wearing crazy headbands to bring a smile to customers’ faces.

She said everything is “home cooked, fresh and cooked with love.”

Along with selling hot roast beef po-boys, Scooters also sells gumbo, shrimp bisque, club sandwiches and other New Orleans style dishes.

Scooters is located at 613 Main Street in Poplarville.