Table One Closes Doors Permanently

Table One announced Monday that they are now permanently closed.

The restaurant first opened its doors just over four years ago, and they knew then they were attempting the impossible.

Pay-what-you-can-afford diners were notoriously difficult to keep running and funded, even in larger cities.

Officials stated that there is little doubt that had they not had to face the challenges of COVID-19, they would be able to continue to operate.

It is their hope that someday, somebody will be able to pick up their torch and start a new pay-what-you-can-afford diner in Hardin County.

Here is Table One’s complete statement on their Facebook Page:

Table One must make the unfortunate announcement that we have served our last meal and are now permanently closed.

While this was a difficult and heartbreaking decision for us, we are determined to make our final words those of hope and gratitude.

When Table One first opened its doors just over four years ago, we knew that we were attempting the impossible. We opened with the knowledge that pay-what-you-can-afford community diners were notoriously difficult to keep running and funded, even in larger cities. Yet every day, our founder, Reverend Loran Miracle, and the first Board of Directors for Table One worked tirelessly to bring their vision to Kenton and Hardin County; a place where people can eat and come together as one community. Every day we were able to keep the doors of Table One open, we were embracing that passion and doing what was only possible because “with God all things are possible”.

We would not have been able to achieve what we had without the support of every single employee, volunteer, board member, donor, and patron over the past four years. In the past two years alone, we were able to serve roughly 8,200 free meals to members of our community. Every dollar or minute worked is the only reason we were able to make that kind of impact in our community, an impact that will not be lessened by our closing. While we are currently saddened by our closing, we can take comfort in what we were able to do for four years with your help, and for that we are forever grateful.

While there is little doubt that had we not had to face the challenges of COVID-19 we would continue to be able to serve the community, we prefer not to look at what could have been, but rather at what could be. Pay-what-you-can-afford community diners are a far more common sight than they were four years ago when we opened. It is our hope that someday, somebody with a little bit of faith, a little bit of hope, and a whole lot of love will be able to pick up our torch and start a new community café in Hardin County. When that time comes, we hope that you will be able to show them the kind of support that you have shown us.

Thank you for sharing a seat at our table!