Hack Heights, Texas (KWTX) – A small business owner in Hack Heights had to start from scratch after a fire destroyed part of his restaurant the day before Thanksgiving. The fire started in a pit in the kitchen, which he said he paid a homeless resident to do small jobs around the restaurant and ignited it. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Harker Heights FD said the blaze started as a small blaze, but it quickly flared up again, destroying the kitchen.
“With the doors open, all the wind and oxygen couldn’t contain the fire. When I got there, I couldn’t believe it,” recalls JR Scott, owner of Just Cookin’ BBQ & More.
He had to return dozens of lost turkey orders after the fire gutted his inventory the day before a major holiday.
“Some people reached out, and I was able to reach almost everyone. Some people donated money they had already paid, and I refunded a lot of money, too,” Scott said.
This is not the first time he has experienced a tragic loss. Before losing his storefront, he lost his chef and lifelong friend, Jimmy. He said his guardian angel gave him the strength to go forward.
“Jimmy put his head down and told me to keep going,” Scott said, fighting back tears.
Just six days after the fire, JR reopened at a temporary location inside the Harker Heights Events Center. Even when he lost, the community support was great enough that he still won.
“We won two awards for Best of Central Texas, we won Best Soul Food and Best Dining,” Scott said proudly.
On top of that, more than $2,000 has been raised to help him move forward, and he says he’s waiting for the day when he can pay it off. In an effort to continue supporting JR and his family, the event center invited chefs from around the region to come on Saturday. People will be able to enjoy a variety of food, but the money will go directly to helping JR get back on his feet.
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