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There's probably no better bargain hunter than a mother. And if she happens to be a single mom, not much is going to stand in the way of a good deal.

For Lisa Allred, a single mother of two children ages 7 and 10, bargain shopping is a necessity.

"I want to make more money," Allred says. "But someone said it's easier to save money than to make money."

Allred has managed to make her budget work. But one thing she can't do without is eating out.

"I don't cook much," she says. "And I have a crazy schedule."

Allred, a police officer whose shift rotates from night to day every 28 days, says that between her job and her children's homework, there's little time for meal preparation. Eating out is much easier and a fun way for her to spend time with her kids.

She started looking for restaurants on her side of town where children can eat cheaply or even for free. She tried Web sites that list deals but found they weren't always accurate.

So, she picked up the phone and started calling restaurants. The result is a list of meal deals for kids for every night of the week.

She shared her finds with friends, then thought other parents could benefit from her knowledge, too.

"It's sure saved me a lot of money," she says.

Admittedly, most restaurant children's meals are not the healthiest, often relying on fried items. So, Allred's next step is to find restaurants with healthier options.

In the meantime, you can find the list at news-record.com/cheapmeals.

Restaurateurs retire

Amalfi Harbour on West Market Street has closed.

After 24 years of service, owners Robert and Angela Martin decided to retire from food service.

"When we turned 67, we decided that was enough," says Robert Martin, noting he has been in food service, including large corporations and country clubs, for 46 years.

Martin was an executive chef with Marriott in Philadelphia when he was transferred to Florida, and then to Greensboro. When it came time to transfer again, he and his wife made the decision to put down roots and open a restaurant in Greensboro.

In 1985, they took over Amalfi Harbour, a small Italian restaurant serving pizzas and sandwiches. The Martins took the restaurant to a new level with homemade cream and brown sauces, seafood entreés and other classic fare. But after more than two decades of 16- and 17-hour days in the kitchen, the Martins decided to hang up their aprons.

Since closing about three weeks ago, Martin says he and his wife have enjoyed doing things that they had always only read about, such as strolling through downtown Greensboro's Festival of Lights and attending a weekend concert.

Martin says other than possibly doing a little consulting, he has no plans to return to the kitchen.

Pub opens downtown

The owners of Stumble Stilskins (691-1222), a bar and night club at 202 W. Market St. in downtown Greensboro, have opened Stumble Stilskins restaurant in the adjacent space formerly occupied by Phil's Corner Cafe.

In addition to a menu of deli-style sandwiches, signature sandwiches include the meat and cheese Baked Italian ($6.99), a smoked Gouda and Havarti Not Your Mom's Grilled Cheese ($5.99) and the Carolina Steak Philly ($7.99).

Burgers include the Classic ($6.99) and the Buffalo Blue Burger ($8.49). Or create your own Stumble Burger ($7.99) by choosing two items to mix into the patty before grilling, then top it with a choice of cheese.

Stilskins also offers a selection of appetizers and salads.

Stumble Stilskins serves lunch and dinner. Hours are 11:30 to 2:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and 12:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Franchise anniversary

In September 1959, a couple of World War II veterans opened North Carolina's first McDonald's at 1101 Summit Ave. Fifty years later, that same restaurant is still serving burgers, fries and shakes.

The Summit Avenue McDonald's celebrated its 50th anniversary last weekend with remarks by the franchise owners James "Smitty" and Debra Smith, along with their son Adrian Smith, and a performance by the Dudley High School Band.

In addition to remaining at the same location for half a century, the restaurant also has the distinction of having once served golf legend Sam Snead after he won the Greater Greensboro Open in 1965. In 1961, the restaurant filled an order of 1,500 hamburgers for First Baptist Church, the third-largest order in the nation at the time.

Anniversary helps cause

To celebrate its 16th anniversary today, Tate Street Coffee (334 Tate St.; 275-2754) in Greensboro will donate 16 percent of all sales to Greensboro Urban Ministry.

Santa to visit

Santa will stop by Cattitude Cafe (718 W. Market St., Greensboro; 617-8354) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Gift card deal

For a limited time, every $25 spent on a gift card at T.G.I. Friday's (4423 W. Wendover Ave., Greensboro; 294-3707) earns an additional $5 gift card for free. The offer is good through Jan. 5.

Wine dinner planned

223 South Elm (223 S. Elm St.) in downtown Greensboro is holding a Franciscan Wine Dinner at 7 p.m. Dec. 30. Cost for the five-course dinner paired with wine is $65. Call 272-3331 for reservations.

Contact Carl Wilson at 373-7145 or carl.wilson@news-record.com