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A family crisis during the 2023 Thanksgiving holidays provided the inspiration for AC Reeves’s next project at the 5 & Dime art venue.

After Reeves’s husband, attorney Allen Reeves, suffered a heart attack over Thanksgiving, she began a year-long quest to have guest chefs come in for a month, cook assorted food and serve to local residents. 

The plan is called 100 Plates. The food costs $20, a deal which includes a drink and dessert and is served Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. 

The chefs stay in an Airbnb, located above the 5 & Dime, which is owned by the Reeves.

“We need to have healthier food to eat in Selma,” Reeves said. “You have to create your own way in Selma. This is not a restaurant. It’s a culinary arts installation. Erica (Allen) brought the love with her incredible food she prepared for her hometown. 

The first guest chef was Erica Allen, a Selma native who currently lives in Jersey City, New Jersey. On Wednesday, Allen served chicken pot pie and biscuit with vegetables, mixed salad and banana cream pie. 

Allen said she enjoyed her month-long visit to Selma, where her family still lives. The chef said she grew up working at the Downtowner Restaurant and St. James Hotel. 

“I enjoyed being back home in Selma in January,” Allen said. “If I could be back more to Selma, I would be.” 

Several Dallas County residents posted on social media and said they enjoyed meals cooked by Allen. 

“The brisket and lemon pie were the best I have eaten,” Betty White Chandler said. 

Added Marie Harrell: “Best biscuit I ever had. Wish I had been able to get there before [Jan]. 31). Please bring Erica back.”

Reeves said people who have eaten at the 5 & Dime have come from Birmingham and Greensboro.

Emily Sherrer will be guest chef for the month of February and starts on Feb. 5.

Local businessmen Jay Gilmer and LeMarkus A. Snow ate at the 5 & Dime recently, praising what Reeves is doing.