The Campbells: Our Story
Firefly is named for a memory: as a child, Kristie Campbell would catch fireflies in her grandmother's Effingham backyard, watching her put them in mason jars and sing them to sleep on the porch. Kristie never expected to end up in the restaurant business — she was a buyside equity trader in Boston — until she met Niall, a chef, on a tiny island off Puerto Rico. Together they opened their first restaurant there, before an email out of the blue brought them back to Effingham, where they built firefly from the ground up: a recycled-steel frame, reclaimed barn wood, an onsite garden Niall insisted on, and an exhibition kitchen so guests could see the same care and hard work that goes into every dish at their own table. Today, firefly is still very much a family endeavor — Niall and Kristie, alongside their daughter Camden, whose photos hang just outside the dining room.
What does it mean to be a firefly?
Our purpose is to nourish, our guests, our farm, our community, the Earth, and most importantly, our team. We grow and serve some of the best food on the planet, without the drama, egos, or pretense the industry is often known for. We're hospitable to everyone, and the way we love our team translates directly into what shows up on the plate and in the dining room.
Who are we, in our heart of hearts?
Courageous. We have the courage to say what needs to be said, kindly and honestly, we care enough about each other to be direct rather than let things fester.
Fanatical nurturers. We nurture our team first, and our team nurtures our guests, our community, and the land. Everyone is invited to our table, always.
Devoted to team. Niall and Kristie believe that if we don't take care of our people, our people can't take care of our guests. That's why firefly invests heavily in our team, from shared staff meals to benefits most restaurants don't offer. See What It's Like to Work Here.
Learn & lead. We equip our team with the best tools, training, and technology, and we believe no one is above any job.
Never satisfied. We're always evolving, and we listen — every team member is heard, and their feedback shapes how we grow.