Help Us Bring the Smokehouse Back ❤️

When we closed the doors to the Smokehouse, we truly believed that was the end of our story. Then the messages, calls and comments started coming.

Nearly 200 people reached out with some version of the same message:

“Please come back.”

We heard from customers who celebrated weddings, birthdays and anniversaries with us. Families who made our food part of their weekends. People who knew their favorite order before they walked through the door.

You made us realize that maybe our story isn’t finished yet.

So we’re trying.

Our goal is to bring the Smokehouse back smaller, smarter and stronger—with a more manageable location, an efficient kitchen, lower overhead and the same food and love our community has supported for years.

Our Goal: $25,000

Funds raised will be used toward the costs of reopening, including:

* Security deposit and initial lease costs

* Kitchen buildout and equipment

* Permits, inspections and licensing

* Opening food and supplies

* Signage and reopening expenses

* Initial staffing and operating reserves

Our $25,000 goal is an important first step, but it may not represent the entire cost of reopening. Final costs will depend on the location, required kitchen buildout, equipment and other startup expenses.

If additional capital is needed, we will continue working toward it through responsible sources including merchandise and pre-opening sales, landlord contributions and additional fundraising.

We will not take on an unaffordable location or unsustainable debt simply because funds have been raised. We want to come back—but we want to come back in a way that gives us a real chance to stay.

What If We Cannot Reopen?

We want to be completely transparent.

Our intention is to use these funds specifically toward reopening the Smokehouse. If, despite our best efforts, reopening ultimately proves not reasonably possible, we will stop spending campaign funds and update our supporters about what happened and how funds were used.

Some funds may already have been spent on legitimate, nonrecoverable reopening expenses such as permits, professional services, planning, deposits, equipment or other costs directly related to the reopening effort.

Any remaining funds will be handled consistently with the stated purpose of this fundraiser and applicable GoFundMe policies.

We are asking you to help us try—not promising an outcome we cannot guarantee. What we can promise is transparency and responsible use of your support.

Every contribution matters. $10, $25, $50—whatever you comfortably can give gets us one step closer. And if you can’t donate, sharing this campaign can be just as powerful.

The Smokehouse became more than a restaurant. We celebrated your weddings, birthdays, graduations and milestones. We watched children grow. We knew your usual orders. We laughed with you and fed your families.

When we thought it was over, you reminded us how much this little restaurant meant to our community.

You asked us to come back.

We heard you.

Now we’re going to try. ❤️

Let’s Bring the Smokehouse Back.

#BringBackTheSmokehouse