The Barn owner Jody Greer
By overcoming these trials and setbacks , she found a renewed sense of community with her vendors , which was a driving force behind the revival of The Barn , exemplifying the spirit of resilience of this close-knit community .
“ My vendors were there for me . We were there for each other ,” Greer stated . “ They helped us get through the nights , because we spent every night there for a whole month . They brought us food , and we all cried together and we prayed together . That ’ s what got us through it .”
When it came to opening back up , Greer says , “ It was one blessing after another .” As a gesture of the community ’ s outreach and support , the business received a mass donation of shelves , display cases , and pallets used to construct over forty 10-foot-by-8-foot booths . Even before opening , The Barn was already at max occupancy with its vendors , 18 of which were returning ones , resulting in plans for further expanding the space .
Since opening its doors , the flea market has seen a steady flow of both regulars and newcomers . All the while , The Barn has continued to make efforts to grow closer to its new community , especially through its Thursday Trade Days where anyone can set up to buy , sell , or trade outside the store .
Through the dark times it ’ s faced , The Barn now sees a prosperous future of growth , which Greer credits to the hope she ’ s carried with her through it all . “ Even in the storm , God ’ s there and you will make a way through it ,” she said .
“ You just have to put your faith in it .”
The Whippoorwill Diner
Having a lifelong experience in food service , Charles and Amber Wright opened The Whippoorwill Diner in an effort to make the public “ feel like family and fill their bellies .” Since opening in 2022 , the diner had become renowned for its savory all day breakfast , vast selection of hot , fresh meals , and delightfully sweet desserts . As each dish is made from scratch and “ made with love ,” you would almost think you were eating in your own grandma ’ s kitchen .
After two years of building the reputable establishment in Burnside , the happy couple would eventually see everything they had built come crashing down . In the middle of that fateful night , the Wrights were alarmed when they discovered what was happening to their business located more than half an hour away from them .
“ We were called by multiple customers as ( the diner ) was ablaze ,” said Charles . “ We lived 35 minutes away and they were trying to let us know about it . It was probably one of the quickest trips from Casey County we ’ ve ever made .”
Before ever arriving , Amber was able to witness the carnage on her phone through the restaurant Ring security system , as it showed the rising fire and smoke and a parking lot full of fire engines . Following their arrival , all they could do was watch as the building burned down before them the whole night . The next day , the fire would continue re-igniting as the couple cleaned up what they could from the wreckage .
As “ gut-wrenching ” as this experience was for the Wrights , they still held onto hope . For months , they thoroughly looked for a new space until they eventually came across a quaint building
8 • SEKY - Southeast Kentucky Life JUNE 2024