LEXINGTON — The Christmas holidays have been imagined to be a brief pause for Lexington restaurant homeowners Nailah and Josh Curry to go to kin in Myrtle Seashore, S.C., after which return residence to rejoice their second anniversary of opening Lou’s Lou’s Seafood on Important Road in 2020.
Frigid temps that induced frozen, then burst water pipes within the ceiling space of Lou Lou’s Seafood turned that quick break right into a weeks-long undesirable closure. However the couple mentioned they’re now seeing mild on the finish of the tunnel after the darkish occasion closed them expectedly and they need to be open within the subsequent week … hopefully.
“Panic. We have been panicked,” mentioned Nailah Curry, as plumbers and different employees got here out and in the restaurant engaged on gadgets.
The couple realized on the morning of Dec. 26 that their livelihood had main points when a buyer despatched them images via their enterprise’s Fb web page of icicles hanging off the eaves of their restaurant and a parking zone coated in ice. He advised them he thought they wanted to come back try their restaurant. One thing was flawed. The temperatures on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day have been between 5 and 24 levels.
“We couldn’t dress quick sufficient,” Josh Curry mentioned.
“My dad and mom mentioned they’d by no means seen us depart so quick,” Nailah added.
5 minutes after they seen the client’s images, they obtained a cellphone name from the Lexington Police Division that there was water from the constructing that was now frozen over within the parking zone and Important Road. That they had no concept when the pipes within the second story of the restaurant had burst, inflicting water to run nonstop into the restaurant.
“We have been taking a look at our safety cameras and will see the police and fireplace departments and all of the automobiles on the restaurant,” Nailah mentioned. “We knew it was not good.”
Earlier than the Christmas holidays, the Curry’s had introduced plans to boost funds to buy the constructing that homes their restaurant at 514 N. Important St. They apprehensive that they have been being set again months or years with their plans to develop.
As they made the practically four-hour drive residence, the Currys known as plumbers and electricians, making an attempt to line up work to start as quickly as attainable. Lou Lou’s Seafood is their fourth “child” and the way in which they assist their three youngsters. They wanted to be again in operation as quickly as attainable.
“As soon as we obtained right here and noticed every part we knew we have been going to have to attend for every part to dry out earlier than we may activate the electrical once more,” Nailah mentioned, noting they have been particularly apprehensive their practically $100,000 hood system over their range could be broken and want changing. “The sunshine bulbs above the hood had water inside them. We have been apprehensive.”
They’ve since realized that the hood system seems to be operational, and it seems none of their gear was broken. They did lose about $1,000 value of meals within the fridge that was not operational whereas the ability was turned off. The Curry’s added that they’re so grateful to the group for his or her phrases of encouragement and assist through the ordeal. Some native enterprise have been form of their time of want, resembling Richard Wagner Enterprises, which gave them some ceiling tiles to exchange the broken ones.
Though they don’t have a precise date they may reopen, they mentioned they hope to open subsequent week. Nevertheless, that depends upon having plumbing and electrical repairs made and getting wanted inspections. Clients ought to observe the enterprise’s Fb and Instagram pages to get updates concerning the opening date.
When Lou Lou’s Seafood does reopen, prospects will discover some modifications on the menu. The Currys have added extra sandwiches and aspect dishes, resembling a fried salmon po’ boy and combined greens. As well as, a number of the chef’s particular options that made appearances on the menu board solely periodically, are actually completely a part of the menu, resembling shrimp and grits two methods — grilled and fried shrimp with totally different sauces on every. Their rooster wings are actually all the time accessible with 13 totally different sauces.
“We have been actually anxious to get again open,” Josh mentioned. “We miss our folks.”
Jill Doss-Raines is The Dispatch trending subjects and persona profiles senior reporter and is all the time on the lookout for recommendations on companies and leisure occasions, secret and new menu gadgets and attention-grabbing folks in Davidson County. Contact me at jill.doss-raines@the-dispatch.com.
