“The heart of Hardyville”
HARDYVILLE, Ky. – A Hart county community pillar has just burned down, leaving many saddened.
“It’s not just a loss for me, it’s a loss for the community,” said Tracy Devore, owner of Devore’s restaurant.
It’s a sentiment echoed by other community members as well. There are several Facebook comments offering prayers and thoughts to Tracy Devore after her restaurant burned down Saturday, February 18. Even crazier still, Devore told News 40 that smoke was seen coming out of the eatery at 2:13, just 13 minutes after the restaurant had closed.
The community mourns the loss of the joint, many of them saying it was a hub that galvanized all of the southern hospitality in the area. Law enforcement and utility workers as well as farmers frequented the place, we were told.
Memories galore are cooped up inside of course. Elaine Devore told the station that her father just passed away on Christmas day but before that, he was able to celebrate his 94th birthday with a party at Devore’s. Tracy Devore recalled a birthday party for a former employee as well who recently passed due to cancer, who too had her 70th birthday at the restaurant.
Tracy isn’t sure yet whether the small community will see a return of the popular joint, but she does have a village around her. Several people said they were sure that if she decided to rebuild, all of Hart county would come out to help.
