Daniel Prince
Gregory was married 67 years, in the restaurant business for 55 years
A fixture of the Union restaurant scene for around 55 years has died. Gene Gregory passed away Saturday at his home at the age of 88. Gregory was the youngest of five siblings. He married his Union High School sweetheart Barbara Ann Harris, and they were together for 67 years.
Gregory started his career by working two shifts at Monarch Mill from 1954 to 1965, working for Jete Long and driving the dope wagon. He then opened The Little Mint in 1965, which developed into Gene’s Fine Foods in 1968. The restaurant remained open until 2020, when they made the decision to keep the restaurant closed after COVID.
Gregory was honored with a resolution in the SC Senate on the occasion of his 80th birthday in 2013. The resolution was made by Senator Harvey Peeler. Gregory was active in politics, and his restaurant was a well-known stopping place for local, state, and even national political candidates.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the S.R. Holcombe Funeral Home Chapel, with burial to follow at Union Memorial Gardens.