HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Mixer, a beloved downtown restaurant, bar and bakery was destroyed by a storm in March. Straight-line 90 mph winds took out the second floor of the building, including tearing off the roof. Luckily, no one was hurt despite that two bartenders were inside when the storm hit.
In the aftermath, husband and wife owners Graham and Heather Dawson were faced with shock and the unknown. They had extensive damage to equipment, the structure and the furnishings in the building.
History and community support
The Dawsons were no strangers to disaster. They opened The Mixer in 2019 just three months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Immediately, the Hopkinsville community welcomed this new addition to downtown with excitement. “Everyone loved the atmosphere and our pork chops,” Heather said.
During the pandemic, the community came out in droves to support each other and the downtown businesses, Heather said, and that same support followed the storm.
The day after, the Dawsons were at their restaurant at 7:30 a.m. “We were just looking through everything and the damage that occurred,” Heather said. “Then, so many downtown businesses showed up to hug us, make sure we were OK and said if you need anything we will be here.”
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At first, they were unsure if they would be able to reopen. “Financially, we were worried if we could cover the repairs and work that needed to be done,” Heather said. “We needed to take care of our employees first.”
Luckily, the Dawsons had good insurance, which has been able to pay their hourly and salaried employees. Unfortunately, it was unable to cover employees who work off of tips, so, they started a GoFundMe page. “At times there is a lot of negativity about Hopkinsville and downtown, but the community really helped them so much,” Heather said. The donations helped the employees until they found other jobs.
Next steps for The Mixer
The Mixer was always a place where friends and family could gather and make memories surrounding food made from scratch. “It’s nice but not too stuffy. It’s high end, but you could come in jeans,” Heather said. The atmosphere made you feel like you could be anywhere, explains Heather. “Whether that be Nashville, Chicago or New York, you were here and it was amazing.”
Currently, The Mixer is still under reconstruction and has several more repairs to make. “Right now, construction is still redoing the floors and there are some electrical issues to fix as well,” Heather said. Equipment is still being ordered along with many odds and ends to recover from the damage, such as supplies to restock and getting new booths and tables.
Once that is complete, the Dawsons will move their equipment in and move to the testing process. “Everything has to be inspected again like it’s our first day opening,” Heather said.
Reopening The Mixer
The Mixer plans to reopen in January, and the restaurant is going to have the same layout and atmosphere it had before. “The Mixer was already really pretty and didn’t need a total makeover, it’s just getting a new haircut is what I like to say,” Heather said.
When it comes to the menu, The Mixer was known for changing their selections every six months for fresh and local produce. So, upon reopening, the menu will be a little different. “I will say the salmon and pork chops will be returning and remaining on the menu,” Heather said.
The Mixer is planning a pop-up event at the Hopkinsville Brewing Company where old and new dishes will be served for people to try. “We will have our potstickers as everyone goes nuts for them, and it will be a fun time to say hi to everybody that we missed,” Heather said.
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