BOWLING GREEN, Ky.-Rian’s Fatted Calf has opened their doors for the first time in 454 days.
“I missed the bacon burger,” said customer Candice Johnson.
“I haven’t had any bacon burger in a year and a half so I wanted to make sure I was one of the first in line,” said customer Zach Stewart.
With a line forming outside before the clock struck 10 a.m., signaling their open time, Johnson was their first customer.
“ I am just happy for them, absolutely happy for them,” said Johnson.
The family-owned business had taken a direct hit from the December 2021 tornadoes….forcing them to shut their doors for the first time since they opened in 2007.
“Our roof was a big issue, we had a lot of challenges with that, the windows, the walk-in cooler, the units, a little bit of everything,” said butcher Steven Bartos.
Rian’s specializes in the finest custom cut meats. Being in a refrigerated building, they had to make sure everything was perfect before reopening.
“It’s been an overwhelming experience for a long time, we were just trying to figure out the correct steps to move forward. With the doors being open, seeing everyone’s smiling faces again, we’re overwhelmed with joy and happiness and we’re glad to be back to what we’re passionate about,” said Bartos.
The entire time they were rebuilding, the community was behind them, lifting them up and counting down the days till the reopening.
“It was heartbreaking. because they have the best meat, the best people, good hearts, they care about their customers,” said Johnson.
“Penny and Steve and Rian are some of the best people I’ve ever met so I’m really happy to be back supporting their business,” said Stewart.
