HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – People native to Hopkinsville have been passing by the Clayton’s building downtown for years. This old building has seen dozens of changes since it was constructed in 1876 and is most recently a restaurant. It’s one of many new businesses popping up and breathing more life into downtown.
The owner of Clayton’s Downtown Diner, Adam Barnes-Gallerie, was born on Fort Campbell but spent the majority of his childhood in New York. After returning to Hopkinsville as a teen, he found himself falling in love with the town all over again.
“Just from when I moved down here, it’s changed a lot. We’ve got the next generation coming in that wants us to keep the small-town feel, but actually give us what we need to be part of today’s world,” said Adam. He and his husband previously owned Main Street Tavern just down the street from their current location. Sadly, that business had to close due to family health issues.
“I knew I wanted to stay in the industry, and we knew the landlord for the Clayton’s building,” said Barnes.
Clayton’s then and now
Over the years, the Clayton’s building has seen many renovations. It was initially built as a house in 1876. The building continued to pass through different owners until it became Clayton’s Jewelry in the late 1970s, 100 years later. The building still holds the same retro facade that reminds patrons of what it used to be.
Since opening the restaurant in February, Adam said, the community has responded very well. Their unique menu allows guests to “make their own pasta” by choosing between different combinations of pasta, sauce, and toppings. They also offer a variety of topping for baked potatoes.
And as it’s posted right on the front window of the restaurant, guests can also indulge in a slice of homemade cheesecake, “I’ve got 38 different cheesecakes now. … I make them all from scratch. We keep the original one on the menu all the time, and I’ll make one or two specialties a week,” said Adam.
He laughs about the irony of the success of his desserts because he personally does not like cheesecake, even though he’s been making them for 20 years. He has experimented with classic recipes and has also ventured into more exciting ingredients like jalapeno, sangria and bacon.
You can find the diner at 119 East Ninth St. in Hopkinsville, and find out more about their menu and events they are hosting on their Facebook page.