Downtown Tallahassee’s beloved JoEllen’s restaurant has been dealt a tough hand as of late, but the resilient owners, Joe and Teresa Nix, are not ready to throw in the towel just yet. They took to Facebook to share their recent trials and their determination to turn it into an opportunity for growth.

Known for its delectable Southern comfort food, JoEllen’s had to shut its doors after a relentless flood wreaked havoc on the establishment. Multiple events had to be cancelled, and the damage to the interior and equipment was extensive. Just when they thought things couldn’t get any worse, a second flood hit, compounding their already dire situation.

The aftermath of the flooding left the restaurant in a state of disrepair, with damage to the ceiling tiles and point-of-sale system adding to their woes. Despite these setbacks, the Nixes are intent on re-opening for to-go orders as soon as possible, with a full reopening date yet to be announced.

As the resilient couple works tirelessly to get things back on track, they are faced with significant financial hurdles. The cost of repairs and replacements is expected to be an eye-watering $100,000, and they are holding their breath for their insurance to come through. In the meantime, they have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from their patrons and the local community, who have flooded social media with messages of encouragement and solidarity.

Despite the uncertainty and challenges that lie ahead, Teresa Nix remains steadfast in her optimism and determination. She stressed the urgency of the situation, expressing the pressing need to re-open the restaurant at the earliest possible opportunity.

As the Nixes navigate through this challenging period, the Tallahassee community stands in solidarity with JoEllen’s, eagerly awaiting the day when they can once again savour the restaurant’s beloved comfort food offerings.