For years, Jake’s Southern Diner in Hendersonville has been a cherished gathering spot for locals. Known for its mouthwatering Reuben sandwiches, crispy fried catfish, and warm, inviting atmosphere, it’s a place that draws a steady lunch and dinner crowd. However, this past weekend’s weather event left the restaurant in a state of disarray and forced its owner, Jason Kinnaman, into action in order to restore the diner to its former glory.
On Saturday, the rain started falling heavily across the area, and by Sunday, the storm had escalated, resulting in widespread flooding. Kinnaman, who had stepped away from the restaurant for a brief respite, was at home when the news came through. A quick glance at his security cameras would reveal the grim situation unfolding at his beloved establishment.
“I looked at the camera, and that’s when I saw it—water everywhere,” Kinnaman said, recounting the shock of seeing his business flooded. “The whole dining room was flooded with about two to three inches of water. The bar area and the entryway were hit even harder, with about four inches of water coming in. And then, the front parking lot—well, that was just a complete disaster. It was a mess.”
While the flooding in the front areas of the restaurant was certainly concerning, it was the kitchen that bore the brunt of the damage. As any restaurateur knows, the kitchen is the heart of the business, and losing it to flooding would mean a major setback. “The kitchen got hit the hardest,” Kinnaman explained. “It probably had six to eight inches of standing water, and that’s just not something you can ignore. The shed and walk-in freezer were also completely submerged—about the same amount of water there too.”
The news of the flooding came as a massive blow to Kinnaman, but he knew that sitting back and feeling defeated wasn’t going to help anyone. Within hours of discovering the damage, he and his team got to work, determined to minimize the destruction and get back on their feet as quickly as possible. The cleanup would be arduous, but Kinnaman had been through tough times before. His business was built on hard work and a deep sense of community, and this was just another obstacle that would require the same perseverance.
“We jumped right into it on Sunday,” Kinnaman said. “We probably put in close to fifty hours of work just between Sunday and Monday. We ran out to Sam’s Club, bought shop vacs, and grabbed as many mops as we could get our hands on. We turned on the radio and just started going to work—no time to waste.”
Despite the intensity of the situation, Kinnaman couldn’t help but see the humor in it all. “It was a team effort, and we really just kept our heads down and got it done,” he said, adding with a laugh, “We even joked that the radio made it feel like we were working at a fast pace, like it was a fun challenge. But really, it was just about pushing through and doing whatever it took to get the place back in shape.”
The timing of the storm could not have been worse for the diner, but it was clear that the floodwaters weren’t going to be the only challenge. After the rain poured in, the weather took another turn, as the snow began to fall across the area. Just as the community was reeling from the impact of the flooding, a fresh weather front brought in snow, compounding the frustration of dealing with the aftermath. The combination of rain and snow was not only inconvenient but created even more difficulties for both Kinnaman and the community at large. “It felt like it was going from bad to worse,” Kinnaman recalled. “First, the flooding, and then the snow. It’s like everything hit at once, but we’re not giving up.”
The restaurant was in a state of chaos as Kinnaman and his team worked tirelessly to remove water, clean surfaces, and assess the extent of the damage. It wasn’t just the kitchen that had been hit—it was the very foundation of the diner, the place where countless meals and memories had been created over the years. Yet, despite the destruction, Kinnaman refused to be disheartened. He was determined to not only restore the restaurant to its former self but to make it even better.
“We’re not letting this flood define us,” Kinnaman said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I’ve faced setbacks before. This is just another one of those hurdles. We’ll rebound—we’re going to keep cooking good food, and we’re going to get back to doing what we do best.”
The road to recovery was not going to be easy. Kinnaman knew it would take both time and effort, but he also knew the importance of keeping the community’s spirit alive. The loyal customers who had made Jake’s Southern Diner a staple in the area were already rallying behind the restaurant, offering support and lending a hand when needed. From cleaning up the mess to providing words of encouragement, the community was there in full force.
“We’ve had so many people reaching out to us, offering help and support,” Kinnaman said, his voice filled with gratitude. “It really means a lot to us. We’ve built a family here, and it’s nice to know that when we need it, the community is going to have our back.”
By Monday, Kinnaman and his team had worked tirelessly to prepare for the reopening. The restaurant was ready to welcome back its customers. With a mixture of relief and excitement, Kinnaman confirmed that Jake’s Southern Diner would be reopening its doors the following day, Tuesday.
“This has been a tough weekend, but we’re ready,” Kinnaman said with a smile. “We’re back at it, and we can’t wait to see everyone. We’ve still got the best food in town, and we’re ready to serve it up.”
Jake’s Southern Diner’s resilience in the face of this disaster is a testament to the spirit of the business, the community, and its owner, Jason Kinnaman. As snowflakes continue to fall outside, Jake’s Southern Diner stands ready to rebuild and serve its beloved meals once again.
The road to recovery may be long, but with hard work, determination, and the unwavering support of the Hendersonville community, Jake’s Southern Diner is poised to emerge from this setback stronger than ever.
