After serving dedicated patrons and curious tourists for 18 years, Hops Downtown Grill closed its Main Street doors for the last time on May 9. Doug and Vonnie Day first opened the grill in 2008, and in 2017 it changed ownership to Tim and Dana Phillips (pictured above). The Phillips eagerly took it under their wing, placing an emphasis on local produce and meat while retaining the Day’s goal of making “every guest feel like they were walking into our home for dinner.”
At the beginning of May, the Phillips’ shared on Facebook their decision to permanently close the restaurant.
“After 18 years, Hops is closing due to a number of challenging factors,” they said. “We’ve experienced about a 30% reduction in sales, along with a noticeable decline in tourism. At the same time, we’ve face substantial increases in taxes and food costs, making it increasingly difficult to sustain the business.”
A deluge of community memberssharing their fond memories in the comments followed. A local shared their positive experience working at Hops as a first job, regulars recalled dinners spent chatting with bartenders, and patrons reminisced over their favorite dishes. The Phillips followed up with another post, recalling tourists transformed into seasonal regulars and visitors walking in due to multiple word-of-mouth recommendations.
“These are the moments that made Hops what it is,” they said. “And they’re the moments we’ll carry with us long after our doors close.”
Several people questioned if they might consider a food truck or other alternative to revive Hops in the future.
“As for what comes next, we’re still figuring that out,” they said. “For now, we’re focused on finishing strong and appreciating the incredible support you’ve shown us over the years. Thank you for being part of our story.”
Zoë Buhrmaster here. Let’s see what other stories are brewing in the rest of today’s Roundup.
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