River restaurant reopens after devastating flooding

WINCHESTER, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Right on the river sits Hall’s on the River. It’s a restaurant aptly named for its location and a popular spot for many people in Central Kentucky.

Owner Karl Crase says they’re no stranger to floods.

“Part of what you have to do when you’re on the river, is work with the river,” he said.

This time around, looked a little different than past floods.

“We were watching all weekend as it came up, came up, came up, and then came up even more than we anticipated,” Crase said.

The building flooded and much of their equipment was destroyed. For the past 13 days, Crase and his staff have been working nonstop to reopen.

“As the waters receded, we had to keep the water inside the restaurant agitated which carries the mud away,” he said. “If you don’t do that, then you’ll end up with mud over everything.”

While the work was tough, he says the community helped them push forward.

“Everybody here has been wonderful, we’ve had loclas drop by cases of waters, sandwiches, so it’s just been really really nice,” Crase said.

Today finally marks the big day. Crase says they’re all a bit exhausted but ready to get back to work.

“We’ve got waitresses and waiters that make money day-by-day, and they need to get back to work,” he said.

He adds that they’re excited to see the customers again.

“As I’ve always said, there’s a blessing and a curse to being on a river,” he said. “99% of the time it’s a blessing, it’s beautiful, it’s wonderful and people really enjoy it. 1% of the time it comes and mother nature does what she wants to do and we have to respond to that.”